Associate Director, Hair, Bath and Body Formulation

ELC Beauty LLC • Blaine, MN

5d • $93,000 - $120,000

About The Position

Leads the development of new products and enhancements to existing products across projects of varying complexity. Oversees project timelines, formulation data integrity, and cross-functional alignment with Research & Innovation (R&I) and business partners to achieve key milestones. Ensures formulation development activities are completed on schedule and supports successful scale-up, production, and ongoing product maintenance. Trains, coaches, and supervises scientific professionals and may direct work across teams. Uses scientific expertise and creativity to develop innovative products, concepts, technologies, and raw materials that support future business growth.

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, research systems, SOP training and development, quality compliance requirements, and GMP/GLP protocols.

Responsibilities

• Build organizational capability by coaching, mentoring, and developing scientists and laboratory technicians.
• Lead product development from concept through commercialization and provide ongoing formulation support.
• Apply scientific expertise and data-driven judgment to identify connections across projects and technologies and anticipate technical risks.
• Set team priorities, direct work, and ensure appropriate resources are available to meet business needs, project timelines, and development calendars.
• Collaborate with external partners, including raw material suppliers, consultants, and independent testing laboratories, to advance product-development ideas and execute project responsibilities.
• Conduct performance reviews and career-development discussions with team members.
• Lead cross-functional teams in planning and executing special projects.
• 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 at all levels.
• Maintain proficiency in established procedures and comply with data integrity policies and initiatives.
• Partner with the process laboratory to align formulation and process requirements and support successful scale-up; coordinate timing based on resource and material availability.
• Use R&I formula-management systems and other required corporate applications effectively and accurately.
• Analyze consumer insights to identify emerging trends and technologies, and collaborate with external vendors to create novel ingredients, differentiated technologies, marketing stories, and product performance.
• Support existing products by investigating and resolving Quality Assurance and production issues.
• Design and execute studies, analyze results, and recommend next steps that balance speed, scientific rigor, and project objectives.
• Coach team members on best practices and effective approaches to technical problem-solving.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders, including 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

• 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.
• Highly competitive bonus program, with the possibility of overachievement based on performance and company results.
• Participation in the share incentive plan.

What This Job Offers

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