Assistant Manager Formulation Development Colour Cosmetics

Job Description

Assistant Manager Formulation Development (Colour Cosmetics)

Department: Research and Development

Experience: 7– 8 years Formulation Development experience in Colour Cosmetics

Qualification: B.Sc./ M.Sc. /B.Pharm / B.Tech / M.Tech in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry or related discipline

Job Purpose

Responsible for end-to-end formulation development of colour cosmetic products, from concept and laboratory development through scale-up, technology transfer and commercialisation. The role will involve development of innovative, stable, sensory-appealing and commercially viable colour cosmetic formulations aligned with consumer, brand and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Product Formulation Development

• Develop and optimise colour cosmetic formulations across categories such as: eye, lip and face category multifunctional colour cosmetics
• Develop formulations based on product brief, target cost, desired sensory profile, performance and positioning.
• Evaluate different pigments, lakes, dyes, fillers, emollients, waxes, polymers, film formers, rheology modifiers and functional ingredients.
• Optimise pigment dispersion, colour intensity, coverage, payoff, spreadability, adhesion, transfer resistance and finish.
• Develop formulations with different finishes such as matte, dewy, satin, natural, luminous and high-shine.
• Develop and match shades against approved colour standards/pantone or benchmark products.
• Conduct pigment selection and optimisation to achieve desired hue, chroma, undertone and opacity.
• Establish shade development protocols and maintain shade libraries.
• Evaluate colour stability during accelerated and real-time stability studies.
• Support development of shade ranges for different skin tones and undertones.
• Coordinate with Marketing/Brand teams for shade selection and finalisation.
• Plan and execute formulation trials in lab, optimisation studies where applicable.
• Evaluate key product parameters including as per product FG specification:
• Benchmark competitor products and identify opportunities for product differentiation.
• Design and monitor stability studies under appropriate temperature and humidity conditions.
• Scale laboratory formulations from lab to pilot and commercial batches.
• Develop manufacturing processes and critical process parameters.
• Work closely with Production, QA, QC and Engineering teams during scale-up.
• Prepare formulation and process documentation required for technology transfer.
• Support first commercial batches and resolve formulation/process-related issues.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with:
• Brand/Marketing, Packaging Development, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Regulatory, Purchase/Supply Chain, Manufacturing, External testing laboratories and suppliers

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain complete formulation development records, trial reports, specifications and BOMs, SAP related activities
• Ensure formulations comply with applicable cosmetic regulations and internal quality standards.
• Support regulatory documentation, FDA application, raw material assessment and product registration requirements.
• Ensure appropriate documentation of formulation changes and product development history.

Behavioural & Managerial Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Hands-on and experimental approach
• Ability to independently manage multiple development projects
• Good communication and cross-functional coordination skills
• Ability to interpret technical data and make formulation decisions
• Innovation and consumer-oriented mindset
• Good documentation and project management skills