The Director, R&D leads the laboratory team and is accountable for delivering consistent, reliable, and high-quality product development across skincare, colour cosmetics and SPF formulas. The role ensures strong technical oversight, disciplined execution, and effective collaboration across functions to deliver products that meet performance, timing, and business expectations.
This role combines people leadership, technical judgment, and operational rigor to strengthen the reliability of R&D delivery and reinforce trust across the organization.
Work Location- 5600 Chemin Côte-de-Liesse, Montreal QC
- Onsite in-person due to the nature of the role
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE- Lead, develop, and coach the R&D laboratory team (formulators and project resources), fostering accountability, collaboration, and consistent performance
- Define priorities, allocate resources, and ensure effective execution across all R&D projects (NPD, EPD, change requests)
- Ensure robust product development practices, including appropriate formula testing strategies, risk assessment, and documentation
- Actively review formulation strategies, raw material selection, and technical decisions to support effective problem-solving and avoid dead ends
- Be accountable for the quality and robustness of formula development, including stability, compatibility, safety, and consistency from lab to launch
- Ensure R&D deliverables are completed on time and meet required performance and quality standards
- Oversee R&D execution for both internally developed and externally sourced formulas, ensuring consistency in rigor and follow-up
- Partner with Marketing and Innovation to translate product concepts into feasible development plans, anticipate needs, identify new formula opportunities and textures, and propose solutions when constraints arise
- Collaborate closely with Production, Technical Transfer, and Quality to support readiness for scale-up and manufacturing
- Provide support to Production and Quality in diagnosing and resolving formula-related issues as needed, ensuring continuity, product quality, and minimal disruption
- Build strong, productive relationships with cross-functional partners (Marketing, Innovation, Regulatory, Quality, Production, Project Management)
- Monitor project risks, clarify priorities in a fast-paced environment, and align the team to deliver effectively
- Manage the R&D budget and external partners (suppliers, testing labs) as required
- Drive continuous improvement of R&D processes, tools, and ways of working
WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET YOU IF YOU HAVE- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific field
- 10-15 years of experience in cosmetic or personal care product development
- 5-7 years of people leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of cosmetic formulation principles (emulsions, actives, product performance); colour cosmetic experience is an asset
- Exposure to manufacturing environments
- Experience working with external suppliers and development partners
AND IF YOU ARE- A strong leader with the ability to develop people and build accountability for consistent team performance
- Highly organized, disciplined, and detail-oriented
- Equipped with sound technical judgment and a structured, problem-solving mindset
- Able to influence cross-functional stakeholders and build alignment
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with competing priorities
- A clear communicator with strong collaboration skills
- Action-oriented and driven by results
The task and responsibilities listed above are summaries and indicatives.
TO APPLYWe invite interested individuals to use our online recruitment module by submitting an application to https://dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/groupemarcelle.
Groupe Marcelle thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.To learn more about our company, feel free to visit our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/groupe-marcelle
