Research and Development Manager

Summary:

The R & D Manger is responsible for managing personnel and projects that grow and maintain the business. This requires developing new personal care product formulas, reformulating/improving the existing product portfolio, as well as evaluating for optimization of materials, formulas, and processes. This position manages the projects and specialists assigned to those projects.The R&D Manager works with multiple departments: Marketing, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Analytical Services, Cost Accounting, Purchasing, Engineering, and Production Planning. This position requires a candidate that works as a team member, on multiple teams, in a fast paced high volume environment, to accomplish goals and objectives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Exhibit team player qualities of cooperation and coordination; professional interaction in all business contacts, all day, every day
• Present for work when scheduled is a mandatory function. Work hours may extend pass normal business hours based on the workload of the department.
• Compliance and enforcement of all company safety rules, procedures and guidelines is essential. Reporting of safety issues is mandatory.
• Manage projects and personnel to develop/reformulate/optimize robust, quality formulas, to meet all specifications/requirements as indicated by a New Product Profile through bench experimentation
• Work with Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Marketing/Sales and Project Management to establish product/project profiles, specifications, timelines, and claims/testing requirements
• Manage projects to meet agreed upon specifications and timelines
• Assist chemists with formulation difficulties/issues to ensure completion on time and to meet quality standards
• Optimize formulations to meet minimal cost and process objectives
• Manage raw material requirements and obsolescence by engaging relative departments for the project (Regulatory, Purchasing, Quality, Project Management)
• Prepare product/project communication timelines and reviews- including analytical, technical and financial data for guidance and support to other departments and customers
• Create, review, and approve technical documents to support product development. (Ingredient Statements, Formula Cards, Cost Formulas, Raw Material Supplement Forms, Waivers, etc.)
• Train personnel to execute project commitments and pursue contingency plans within compliance and enforcement of company policies and procedures
• Knowledge of product categories to communicate effectively the requirements, specifications, and regulations needed for product integrity, quality, and safety
• Monitor brand products for changes that might prompt new products, reformulations, or optimizations
• Interact with suppliers, contract facilities, customers, and governing agencies to achieve robust, quality, cost effective products
• Investigate and implement appropriate corrective actions to customer formula complaints
• Write and deliver technical presentations and/or demonstrations for internal and external factions, to train and illustrate the benefits and mechanisms of technologies built into products
• Submit, manage, and/or assist other departments with detailed product information to third party certification programs (i.e. USDA, Safer Choice, Green Seal, Ecologo, NSF, ADA, TTB, etc.)
• Prepare research proposals including analytical, technical, and financial data for developing and testing new or improved products, internally and with external labs, suppliers, and customers
• Evaluate and review multiple forms of data from internal experiments and reports, as well as third party reports, to manage and regulate products and their technologies

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• R&D Specialists (Senior Chemists, Chemists and Technicians)

Education Requirements:

• A Bachelors’ Degree in Chemistry or related science; and eight years of related experience and/or training or combination of 15 years education and related experience

Experience Requirements:

• 8 years formulating experience in personal care or related field