Principal Scientist R&D Process Developer, Burt's Bees

The Clorox Company • Durham, NC

49d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Principal Scientist, Process Engineering, you will serve as the technical subject matter expert in R&D leading the interface with manufacturing. You will lead scale‑up, commercialization, and continuous improvement of Burt's Bees products, driving sustainability, cost efficiency, and process robustness across the product portfolio. You will coach and influence cross‑functional teams, guide pilot plant operations, and embed best practices in process science across the organization. Minimum 10+ years' experience in process development, scale‑up, or manufacturing in personal care, cosmetics, consumer products, or adjacent regulated industries (e.g. OTC, pharmaceutical, food) is required. This position is located in our Burt's Bees office in Durham, NC, and you will be required to go into office a minimum of 3 days a week. Relocation allowance is offered.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemical/Process Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 10+ years' experience in process development, scale‑up, or manufacturing in personal care, cosmetics, consumer products, or adjacent regulated industries (e.g. OTC, pharmaceutical, food).
• Demonstrated track record of taking lab / pilot processes to commercial manufacturing with robust performance.
• Expertise leveraging statistical design of experiments (DoE), process optimization, and process scale‑up methodologies.
• Strong technical depth in operations relevant to personal care (mixing, heating/cooling, emulsification, spray drying, filling, crystallization, filtration, etc.).
• Ability to lead independently, manage technical risk, and balance multiple programs with competing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to distill complex technical issues for business audiences.
• Proven leadership or mentorship experience in guiding junior scientists/engineers.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with sustainable process development (low waste, green solvents, water/energy reduction).
• Experience in capital project planning, pilot plant design, or technology transfer.
• Experience working in hybrid or cross‑site R&D / manufacturing settings.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements or quality systems in personal care / cosmetic / OTC context.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical scale-up from lab through commercialization, ensuring manufacturing feasibility, process robustness, and cost targets.
• Serve as the process engineering subject matter expert for Burt's Bees and evaluate new product concepts for scale viability, identify process risks, and define mitigation strategies.
• Manage pilot plant, including planning, design, and execution of pilot trials, as well as overseeing capital investments or upgrades to pilot capabilities.
• Translate strategic business goals into actionable process science objectives (e.g. product cost, throughput, sustainability, energy/water use).
• Drive identification, adoption, and integration of novel manufacturing innovations (green processing, continuous processing, modular manufacturing) or processing solutions in collaboration with manufacturing.
• Oversee technical documentation, scale-up reports, process development summaries, risk assessments, and regulatory support.
• Mentor and coach junior scientists and engineers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, technical rigor, and scientific curiosity.
• Partner cross‑functionally with formulation, packaging, and product design teams, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain to ensure successful product launches and ongoing performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees