Director of Technical Services-Personal Care/Cosmetics

RITA Corporation is expanding and seeking a Director of Technical Services to lead our technical operations team. This role will manage the QC Manager, Sr. Formulations Chemist, and Production Engineering Manager, ensuring product quality, innovation, and technical support for both internal teams and customers. The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of experience in the Personal Care/Cosmetics industry, with a degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Cosmetic Formulation. This onsite role in Crystal Lake, IL includes domestic and international travel, up to 40%.

Title: Director of Technical Services

Location: Crystal Lake, IL

Travel: Up to 40% Travel / 60% Onsite Office/Lab

Salary: $140,000 - $165,000 (Exempt)

About Us:

With over 70 years of experience, RITA Corporation specializes in providing the personal care, cosmetics, and home care industries with a diverse range of specialty and commodity ingredients and raw materials.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Quality Control, Formulation, and Production Engineering teams, ensuring high standards in product quality and innovation.
• Oversee the development of new formulations and improvements to existing products to meet customer and market demands.
• Provide technical support to the sales team and customers, including troubleshooting, formulation guidance, ingredient selection and regulatory compliance assistance.
• Collaborate with R&D, regulatory, and production teams to ensure technical feasibility and scalability of new products.
• Ensure compliance with industry regulations while maintaining and continuously improving quality assurance processes.
• Stay informed on industry trends, raw material innovations, and emerging technologies in personal care, cosmetics and home care.
• Act as a technical liaison between customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the technical department to enhance efficiency and performance.
• Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, customer meetings and technical conferences as needed.
  
  
  

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or cosmetic formulations (master’s preferred).
• 10 years of experience in the personal care or cosmetics industry (or 5 years with a master’s degree).
• Ability to travel to customer sites, industry events, or manufacturing facilities (travel up to 40% with some international travel required)
• Strong background in personal care/cosmetics formulation chemistry and raw materials.
• Experience managing technical teams and cross-functional projects.
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to clearly convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance standards for personal care ingredients.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to stand, walk, and move around lab and production areas as needed.
• Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. when handling samples or lab equipment.
  
  
  

Benefits Package:

• Annual discretionary bonus
• Car allowance, cell phone and computer equipment
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and dependents
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% matching
• Generous paid time off
• Employer-paid Life, accident and disability insurance
• Onsite fitness room