Associate Director, Hair, Bath and Body Formulation

DECIEM • Blaine, MN

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About The Position

The Associate Director leads development of new and enhanced hair, bath, and body products across projects of varying complexity. This role oversees project timelines, formulation data integrity, and cross-functional alignment with Research & Innovation (R&I) and business partners to meet milestones. The Associate Director ensures formulation activities are completed on schedule and supports scale-up, production, and ongoing product maintenance.

The role develops organizational capability by training, coaching, mentoring, and supervising scientists and laboratory technicians. It sets team priorities, directs work, ensures appropriate resources are available, conducts performance and career-development discussions, and may direct work across teams. The Associate Director uses scientific expertise, creativity, and data-driven judgment to develop innovative products, concepts, technologies, and raw materials that support future business growth and to identify technical risks.

The position leads product development from concept through commercialization and provides formulation support for existing products. It collaborates with internal stakeholders across R&I, Quality Assurance, Technical Services, Manufacturing, Marketing, Creative, Claims, Innovation, and other site teams, as well as external suppliers, consultants, and independent testing laboratories. The role supports successful scale-up with the process laboratory, investigates product quality and production issues, analyzes consumer insights and study results, and communicates project progress, risks, and setbacks to R&I management.

The position requires a BA or BS in a scientific field, 10 years of experience, and personal care formulation experience. The anticipated base salary range is $93,000 to $120,000, with eligibility for a competitive bonus program and share incentive plan. Eligible employees may receive health insurance, wellness and family support programs, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave, education-related programs, paid holidays, and vacation time.

Requirements

• BA or BS in a scientific field.
• 10 years of experience.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
• Experience in personal care formulation.
• Working knowledge of laboratory equipment and safety practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and research systems.
• Experience or proficiency in SOP training and development.
• Knowledge of quality compliance requirements and GMP/GLP protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept through commercialization and provide ongoing formulation support.
• Develop new products and enhancements to existing products across projects of varying complexity.
• Oversee project timelines, formulation data integrity, and cross-functional alignment to achieve milestones.
• Ensure formulation development activities are completed on schedule and support scale-up, production, and product maintenance.
• Train, coach, mentor, develop, and supervise scientists and laboratory technicians; direct work across teams as needed.
• Set team priorities, direct work, and ensure resources are available to meet business needs, timelines, and development calendars.
• Conduct performance reviews and career-development discussions with team members.
• Lead cross-functional teams in planning and executing special projects.
• Collaborate with raw material suppliers, consultants, and independent testing laboratories on product-development ideas and project responsibilities.
• Maintain working relationships across R&I, Quality Assurance, Technical Services, Manufacturing, and other teams.
• Align team activities and communicate project progress, risks, and setbacks to R&I management; serve as a technical and organizational resource for colleagues.
• Maintain proficiency in established procedures and comply with data integrity policies and initiatives.
• Partner with the process laboratory to align formulation and process requirements, support scale-up, and coordinate timing according to resource and material availability.
• Use R&I formula-management systems and other required corporate applications effectively and accurately.
• Analyze consumer insights to identify trends and technologies and work with vendors on ingredients, technologies, marketing stories, and product performance.
• Investigate and resolve Quality Assurance and production issues for existing products.
• Design and execute studies, analyze results, and recommend next steps that balance speed, scientific rigor, and project objectives.
• Coach team members on technical problem-solving practices.
• Partner with Marketing, Creative, R&I, Claims, Innovation, and other site teams to align priorities and deliver project objectives.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive bonus program, with potential for overachievement based on performance and company results.
• Share incentive plan.
• Health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness and family support programs.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Paid leave programs.
• Education-related programs.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director