JOB OVERVIEW
The R&D Chemist — Home Care will work in the R&D Laboratory developing and supporting
laundry care, household cleaning, and air freshening products. This role communicates regularly
with product development managers, process engineers, regulatory, and the quality unit, and is
responsible for completing projects based on workflow assigned by the R&D Director. This
position conducts a variety of chemical and physical laboratory testing on lab batches, finished
goods, prototype formulas, and home care raw materials for purposes including product and
process development, product stability, and quantitative/qualitative performance analysis. This
position also requires assisting with general lab and administrative functions in the R&D
Department. This role is expected to work onsite regularly.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
• Promotes a safe working environment and adheres to Health, Safety, and Environmental procedures, company safety rules, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) always.
• Completes projects assigned by management, including: researching and understanding the client brief (target product form, active surfactant/ingredient concentration, and performance claims); formula writing while adhering to specific customer no-lists and retailer/store-specific requirements for where products are sold globally; daily batching of
laundry care (liquid detergents, fabric softeners), household cleaning (surface sprays, dish care), and air freshening products (room sprays, diffuser oils, linen mists); and managing product reformulation in response to customer direction.
• Prepares paperwork (Sample Submission Sheet, CoA) and labels for submission.
• Acts as technical support as needed to customers, product development managers, process engineers, compounders, and the quality unit.
• Adjusts batches and validates specifications, as necessary.
• Knowledge of ingredient deck listing and INCI/chemical nomenclature for home care raw materials.
• Collaborates and supports process engineering, including scale-up from lab batch to pilot and production batches.
• Collects scientific data and communicates technical information to product development managers.
• Maintains accurate real-time formula entries, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Troubleshoots formulation and process issues.
• Flexible and willing to perform other duties as needed (filling lab batches into components, preparing Sample Submission Forms and labels).
• Oversees/supervises pilot and first three (if needed) production batches throughout the manufacturing process.
• Calibrates R&D lab equipment as needed.
• Assists R&D management with company audits or in preparation of audits.
• Collaborates closely with cross-functional leaders to build best practices and share knowledge across the team to develop and execute our customer’s needs.
• Requests new raw material samples and gathers documentation.
• Attends cosmetic and home care industry seminars and meetings.
• Assists other lab personnel as needed.
• Performs other duties and assignments as instructed by R&D management.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Capable of standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods.
• Capable of lifting 25 lbs.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Organic Chemistry, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or another related science is required.
• Minimum 5 years in a Chemist role in HI&I consumer products.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations relevant to global home care formulation.
• Formulation experience in developing laundry detergents (liquid, unit-dose), fabric care, household surface cleaners, dish care, and air freshening products (sprays, diffusers) is a plus, including natural/clean formulations, reverse engineering, and new product innovation.
• Good technical foundation of formulated products including surfactant systems, builders, enzymes, emulsions, and suspensions, and an understanding of material chemistry is preferred.
• Strong computer knowledge is required.
• Demonstration of continual education — attends seminars or reads training materials for continuing education and shows initiative in learning industry trends.
• Flexibility to work long hours during peak season or special schedules as needed to satisfy job requirements.
• Constantly works to improve processes and consistently reviews all existing procedures for possible change; maintains and expands technical knowledge; makes suggestions for improvements.
• Strong time-management skills.
• Detail oriented, with the ability to multitask and follow through on project assignments.
• Communicates and collaborates with management.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Laboratory environment.
• Process manufacturing environment.
• Noise level is low to moderate.
• Proper lighting and ventilation.