Job Description

- Manager, Formulation Development (Shop & Deploy, Color Cosmetics)
Role Title: Manager - Formulation Development, Color Cosmetics (Shop & Deploy)
Department: R&D / Product Development
Location: Mumbai
Role Purpose
The Manager - Formulation Development (Shop & Deploy) will lead the end-to-end process of scouting, adapting, and deploying innovative color cosmetic formulations into market-ready products. This role bridges global formulation sourcing ("Shop") and internal development/scale-up ("Deploy"), ensuring speed to market, quality, and consumer delight. The role requires a strong blend of formulation expertise, project management, and collaboration with global partners, local vendors, and internal cross-functional teams (Marketing, Regulatory, Packaging, QA, Manufacturing).
Key Responsibilities
1. Formulation Development & Adaptation
Scout and evaluate novel formulations, technologies, and chassis from global labs, partners, and innovation hubs.
Customize and adapt formulations for local consumer needs, regulatory compliance, and brand positioning.
Ensure formulations meet performance, sensory, safety, and stability standards for color cosmetics (face, lips, eyes, nails).
2. Shop & Deploy Strategy
Build and maintain a pipeline of "ready-to-deploy" formulations to accelerate launch timelines.
Collaborate with global formulation partners to transfer technology effectively.
Conduct gap analysis between sourced formulations and brand requirements, bridging through rapid adaptation.
3. Technical Excellence & Compliance
Lead lab trials, shade development, and sensory evaluations.
Ensure ISO, GMP, and regulatory compliance for all developed formulations.
Partner with Analytical/QA teams for stability, compatibility, and performance testing.
4. Project Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Manage multiple NPD projects simultaneously, from concept to scale-up.
Work closely with Marketing and Design teams to translate concepts into feasible products.
Liaise with Packaging teams to ensure product-pack interaction stability and compatibility.
Drive cost optimization without compromising performance and quality.
5. People & Capability Building
Guide and mentor junior formulation scientists and interns.
Establish best practices in shade development, sensory testing, and accelerated launch models.
Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and consumer-first thinking within the team.
Key Interfaces
Internal: Marketing, Packaging, QA/QC, Manufacturing, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain.
External: Global formulation labs, OEM , ODM, external R&D partners
Qualifications & Experience
Master's in Cosmetic Science / Chemistry / Pharmaceutical Sciences (or related discipline).
7-10 years of experience in formulation development, with at least 3 years in color cosmetics.
Strong hands-on experience in formulation design for lipsticks, foundations, eyeliners, mascaras, nail products.
Knowledge of global regulations
Track record of launching successful color cosmetic products with speed-to-market.
Experience in global collaboration, tech transfer, or "shop & deploy" innovation models preferred.
Skills & Competencies
Technical expertise in pigments, emulsions, suspensions, and film-formers, color cosmetics and make-up
Strong project management and multitasking ability.
Creative problem-solving and innovation mindset.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Commercial acumen and ability to balance cost, quality, and speed.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Number of successful product launches (On Time, In Full).
Reduction in NPD cycle time through effective shop & deploy execution.
Consumer satisfaction scores (sensory & performance).
Cost optimization achieved without quality compromise.
Compliance track record (no regulatory recalls/defects).
Growth Pathway
This role offers progression toward Senior Manager / Head of Color Cosmetics Formulation, with opportunities to lead global innovation programs, establish formulation COEs, and mentor larger teams.

Skills Required