Description

The Product Development Chemist develops and refines formulations for over-the-counter (OTC) skincare, haircare, and body care products that deliver on specific benefits and market-driven needs. This includes researching ingredients, creating prototypes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, evaluating industry trends, and collaborating cross-functionally to scale products for manufacturing. The ideal candidate has deep knowledge of cosmetic chemistry, can work both independently and collaboratively, and thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.  Apply here: https://rightmatch.app/job/JEUFG9PK7QLR

Key Responsibilities

Formulation & Product Development

• Develop stable and effective formulations for natural and synthetic personal care products
• Create lab batches and scale formulations for pilot and production runs 
• Modify and improve existing formulas based on performance, customer feedback, and/or compliance needs 
• Perform product stability and compatibility testing 
• Anticipate potential issues with formulations, and proactively propose and implement solutions 
• Demonstrate critical thinking in building formulations, analyzing formula stability, setting specifications, and providing recommendations against project needs 

Ingredient Research & Compliance

• Source raw materials and research innovative active ingredients 
• Maintain proper documentation, including COAs, MSDS, INCI lists, and formula records 
• Ensure formulas meet FDA, EU, and other relevant regulatory standards for clean beauty, vegan, cruelty-free, etc.

Lab Management & Documentation

• Maintain clean lab protocols, and manage raw material inventory 
• Keep detailed formulation records, test results, and batch data 
• Create and update SOPs for formulations and lab practices 

Collaboration & Project Management

• Work directly with clients and the AYO Labs team to translate brand visions into viable products 
• Coordinate with operations and production teams for seamless batch scaling and quality control 
• Support packaging compatibility and manufacturing readiness 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Cosmetic Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field; advanced degree preferred 
• 3-5 years of Product Development experience in the personal care or beauty industry 
• Demonstrated experience in formulating liquid to semi-solid skin care products 
• Knowledge of emerging product and technology trends in the cosmetics industry 
• Understanding of formulation, ingredient chemistry, physical chemistry, and polymer and interface science 
• Familiarity with GMP and FDA compliance for OTC and cosmetic products and with clean beauty standards and ingredient restrictions (e.g., EWG, Sephora, Credo) 
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across teams 
• Experience using formulation software like ChemSketch, Cosmetri, or Formula Botanica systems 
• Experience working in a contract manufacturing or private label facility strongly preferred