Senior Chemist II, Face Makeup Formulation Development, L'Oréal Research & Innovation - Clark, New JerseyWe are seeking a
Senior Chemist II to join our Face Makeup Development team. In this role, you will drive the formulation of innovative, on-trend face makeup products from concept through to launch - bringing your expertise in emulsions, rheology, and shade matching to create products that consumers will fall in love with, while helping maintain the safe, organized, and high-performing lab environment our team is known for.
A Day in the Life: As a Senior Chemist II on the Face Makeup Development team, you will:
- Develop and refine breakthrough face makeup formulas, ensuring every product meets the highest standards of performance, safety, and quality, while precisely matching shade benchmarks to deliver on-trend, high-quality products that resonate with consumers.
- Stay ahead of the science and the trends, maintaining close awareness of scientific literature, emerging raw materials, and market trends to continuously fuel your formulation innovation.
- Own multiple projects from concept to launch, managing clear objectives and deadlines across a dynamic pipeline, and ensuring timely, high-quality delivery that keeps product launches on track.
- Anticipate challenges before they become roadblocks, proactively identifying and resolving issues during development, scale-up, or manufacturing stages, and offering creative, actionable solutions that keep projects moving forward.
- Champion cross-functional collaboration, partnering closely with Safety, Regulatory, and Microbiology teams to ensure full compliance and approvals, while working hand-in-hand with Marketing to align on product expectations and share progress throughout development.
- Bridge the lab and the factory floor, partnering with Operations to manage timelines and ensure smooth, seamless transitions from lab-scale formulation to full-scale production.
- Uphold rigorous quality and stability standards, performing product stability testing, proactively addressing issues, and supporting the pilot team from a technical standpoint throughout the scale-up process - anticipating challenges and helping resolve them before they impact timelines.
- Maintain meticulous documentation, keeping accurate records and following quality procedures diligently to ensure excellence and traceability across every stage of development.
We Are Looking For: You're a great match for this role if you are an innovator, entrepreneur, integrator, and problem-solver with a genuine passion for makeup innovation and a hands-on approach to formulation science.
- Education: A completed Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related scientific field is required. A Master's degree in these fields is a plus.
- Experience: 5 to 7+ years of experience in cosmetic makeup formulation development, or related experience in a different industry, is required. Hands-on experience formulating emulsions and surfactant-focused products is a strong plus.
- Technical Expertise:
- Formulation expertise, with experience in surfactants, emulsions, and rheology considered a significant advantage.
- Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects against defined timelines and deliverables.
- Scientific rigor and sound problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to make well-reasoned decisions under pressure and adapt quickly to shifting priorities.
- Soft Skills & Attributes:
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and confidently across technical and non-technical audiences.
- A creative, self-motivated mindset - you think outside the box and are always willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
- Strong initiative and a sense of urgency, paired with the flexibility to navigate ambiguity and multiple simultaneous priorities with confidence.
- A collaborative spirit, comfortable partnering across R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Regulatory functions to drive shared success.
- Willingness to apply and wear makeup daily as part of the role's hands-on, product-immersive nature.
- Authorization to work in the United States is required. No visa sponsorship is offered for this role
What's In It For You- Base Salary Range: $90,200 - $128,500 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
- Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
- Hybrid Work Policy (Subject to manager approval)
- Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
- Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
- Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
- Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
- Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs
Don't meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!
