Soft Product Formulation Chemist

About the Team

The R&D Soft Product Innovation Team at Harry's is responsible for all personal care category launches from concept to market. We are a team of researchers, developers, and formulators who are on a mission to create things people like more. As our brands continue to grow, the Soft Product Laboratory will be a key driver for both new product innovation and continuous improvement, raising the bar for product excellence.

About the Role

The Soft Product Formulation Chemist will support the global development of new products and enhance our existing personal care portfolio for the Harry's and Flamingo brands. In close collaboration with Product, Quality, and Sourcing teams, you'll help bring performance-driven, consumer-loved products to market while maintaining and improving our current formulations.

We seek a hands-on, detail-oriented chemist with 2 years of experience in personal care formulation. You'll thrive in our fast-paced, creative environment, where innovation, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration are key.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and optimize formulations across skincare, bodycare, haircare, hairstyling, and suncare categories, balancing performance, aesthetics, cost, and timeline requirements.
• Identify opportunities to enhance existing formulas, including root-cause analysis, cost-saving initiatives, and technical transfers.
• Demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness in proactively identifying and proposing solutions to issues that may arise during product development or in transfer to manufacturing.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams and external partners to execute improvement strategies efficiently.
• Lead formulation testing, ensuring stability, compliance, and precise record-keeping.
• Manage raw material stocks, packaging inventory, and maintain traceability of formulation data.
• Support pilot runs and first production batches as needed.
• Stay ahead of scientific advancements, ingredient innovations, and market trends to drive innovation.

Who You Are:

• Product Developer at Heart – Excited by new products, technologies, formats, and how they interact with one another to create the ultimate user experience, down to the last detail, have pride in the work and development of creating things.
• Creative Problem Solver – Energized by challenges and can't sleep until a solution is found.
• Lifelong Learner – Hunger for knowledge, admits when they don't know the answer and diligently works to find it.
• Proactive doer: Takes initiative, thrives in a "no task too small" environment with an eagerness to learn and address any issue that may arise.
• Execution-Focused – Gets things done, creates efficient systems for tracking, testing, and reporting.
• Results-Driven – Relentlessly committed to achieving goals while fostering strong internal and external relationships.
• Collaborative & Adaptable – Works well in cross-functional teams, embraces change, and pivots with shifting business needs.
• Communicative & Team-Oriented – You thrive on direct, honest, and constructive communication.
• Sense of Humor – We take our work seriously, but not ourselves too seriously!

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related science.
• 2 years of formulation experience in cosmetics, personal care, or health & beauty.
• Experience in fast-paced product development, working with cross-functional teams, raw material suppliers, and third-party manufacturers.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and pivot as business needs evolve.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Benefits and perks

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k match
• Equity in Harry's
• Flexible time off and working hours
• Wellness and L&D stipends
• 4 weeks sabbatical after 5 years, 6 weeks after 10 years, and 8 weeks after 15 years
• Up to 20 weeks of pregnancy leave and up to 16 weeks of parental leave
• Fun IRL and virtual events including happy hours, team building events, and parties on our rooftop
• Free products from all of our brands

Harry's is committed to bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and do great work together.

Harry's is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. We recruit, hire and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), parental status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital, family or partnership status, political affiliation or activities, military service, domestic violence victim status, arrest/conviction record, sexual or reproductive health decisions, caregiver status, credit history immigration status, unemployment status, traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles or any other status protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. Harry's commitment to providing equal employment opportunities extends to all aspects of employment, including job assignment, compensation, discipline and access to benefits and training.

We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our company.

We can't quantify all of the intangible things we think you'll love about working at Harry's, like the exciting challenges we tackle, the smart and humble team you'll get to work with, and our supportive and inclusive culture. That said, our salary ranges are based on paying competitively for our size and industry, and are one part of our total rewards package, which also includes a comprehensive set of benefits and our equity program. The base salary hiring range for this position is $90,800-$124,850, but the final compensation offer will ultimately be based on the candidate's location, skill level and experience.