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Lead Formulator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Nanochem Technologies

Senior Chemist

Elkhart, IN · On-site

... formulator for industrial wood and industrial metal coatings. This is an ideal position for an ... Lead activities focused on problem-solving, product improvement, performance testing, and ...

USPL NUTRITIONALS LLC

Associate, R&D

North Brunswick, NJ · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

The individual will lead formulation experiments, support process development and scale-up, and ensure compliant documentation while demonstrating readiness to advance into a Formulator role. Areas ...

ICP Group

R&D Chemist

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

Innovative Chemical Products Group (ICP Group) is a leading formulator and manufacturer of ... Technical lead on assigned product lines. Requirements: * BS in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or ...

ICP Group

R&D Chemist

Lynchburg, VA · On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Innovative Chemical Products Group (ICP Group) is a leading formulator and manufacturer of ... Technical lead on assigned product lines. Requirements: * BS in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, or ...

Hawkins Inc.

Project Engineer

Roseville, MN

$95K - $110K/yr

About Hawkins Hawkins, Inc. is a formulator, manufacturer, blender, distributer, and sales agent ... Conduct/lead design reviews with cross functional project team * Manage scope, schedules, and ...

Hawkins

Customer and Regulatory Specialist

Roseville, MN · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

About Hawkins Hawkins, Inc. is a formulator, manufacturer, blender, distributer, and sales agent ... Stay current with changing regulatory requirements and lead necessary updates to policies ...

ICP Group

Roof Tile Adhesive Sales Manager

Miami, FL · On-site

Innovative Chemical Products Group (ICP Group) is a leading formulator and manufacturer of ... Lead, coach, and develop a team of Territory Sales Representatives to achieve and exceed sales ...

ICP Group

Roof Tile Adhesive Sales Manager

Miami, FL · On-site

Innovative Chemical Products Group (ICP Group) is a leading formulator and manufacturer of ... Lead, coach, and develop a team of Territory Sales Representatives to achieve and exceed sales ...

Hawkins

Safety Specialist

Roseville, MN · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

About Hawkins Hawkins, Inc. is a formulator, manufacturer, blender, distributer, and sales agent ... Lead and support incident investigations and corrective action process. Focusing on root cause ...

Hawkins Inc.

Safety Specialist

Roseville, MN

$110K - $130K/yr

About Hawkins Hawkins, Inc. is a formulator, manufacturer, blender, distributer, and sales agent ... Lead and support incident investigations and corrective action process. Focusing on root cause ...

Hawkins

Project Engineer

Roseville, MN · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

About Hawkins Hawkins, Inc. is a formulator, manufacturer, blender, distributer, and sales agent ... Conduct/lead design reviews with cross functional project team * Manage scope, schedules, and ...

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Lead Formulator information

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How much do lead formulator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for lead formulator in the United States is $22.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lead Formulator vs Formulator?

AspectLead FormulatorFormulator
CredentialsDegree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related field; often with experience in formulation developmentSimilar educational background; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, overseeing formulation projectsLaboratories, production lines, supporting formulation tasks
Industry UsageUsed in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries for leading formulation projectsCommonly employed in similar industries for formulation support

The main difference between a Lead Formulator and a Formulator lies in their level of responsibility. The Lead Formulator typically manages formulation projects, oversees teams, and makes strategic decisions, whereas the Formulator focuses on executing formulation tasks under supervision. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in comparable environments, but the Lead Formulator holds a more senior, leadership position within the formulation process.

What are some common challenges faced by Lead Formulators when developing new products, and how can they overcome them?

Lead Formulators often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative formulations with regulatory compliance, sourcing high-quality raw materials, and ensuring product stability across various conditions. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—like R&D, quality assurance, and marketing—is essential to address these obstacles effectively. Staying updated with industry trends and maintaining open communication channels can help Lead Formulators anticipate potential issues and find creative solutions throughout the product development process.

What are Lead Formulators?

Lead Formulators are professionals responsible for overseeing the development and optimization of product formulas, typically in industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, or chemicals. They lead a team of formulators and collaborate with research, production, and quality assurance departments to ensure products meet safety, efficacy, and regulatory standards. Lead Formulators also troubleshoot formulation issues, manage project timelines, and stay updated on industry trends and new ingredients. Their expertise is crucial for creating innovative, high-quality products that align with market and company requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Formulator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Formulator, you need a solid background in chemistry or a related science, experience in product formulation, and often an advanced degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation, formulation software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, and strong project management abilities help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure the development of innovative, safe, and effective products that meet both business goals and regulatory standards.
What job categories do people searching Lead Formulator jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Formulator jobs are:
Lead Formulator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Formulator job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% Internship, 42% As Needed, 1% Full Time, 51% Temporary, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 100% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $46,178 per year, or $22.2 per hour.
Senior Formulation Scientist

Senior Formulation Scientist

Prinova Group LLC

Carol Stream, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Unlock your potential with Prinova
We are Prinova, a leading global supplier of ingredients and premix manufacturing solutions, and trusted by the world's best-known food, beverage, and nutrition brands.
Part of the NAGASE Group, our expertise lies in Ingredient Distribution, Manufacturing Solutions, and Customized Services. Our global network of colleagues, located in offices and manufacturing facilities around the world, deliver sustainable value-added solutions to our customers. We are recognized for our deep expertise, commitment to excellence, and bold innovation, which have earned us a strong reputation as a trusted industry leader.
Wherever your career is headed, you'll find direction, opportunity, and belonging with us.
Senior Formulation Scientist
Department: R&D, Solutions
Location: Carol Stream, IL
Type: Full-time
Summary:
The Senior Formulation Scientist serves as a senior technical authority within the Solutions R&D team, responsible for leading complex formulation projects from concept through commercialization. The Senior Formulation Scientist acts as a lead formulator and primary technical contact for key customer accounts, providing deep technical expertise, independent project leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.
As a senior individual contributor, this role supports organizational capability through technical mentorship, customer partnership, and process excellence, while operating with a high level of autonomy and scientific judgment. The Senior Formulation Scientist does not have people management responsibilities but plays a critical role in developing technical depth across the R&D function.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, but are not limited to:
  • Lead the design, optimization, and commercialization of complex formulations and create technical documents.
  • Serve as a technical owner of assigned key global accounts.
  • Create, review, and maintain formulation documentation, specifications, and technical deliverables.
  • Support formulation scale-up activities in partnership with the R&D sample lab, manufacturing, and operations teams.
  • Apply analytical, stoichiometric, and scale-up principles to formulation problem solving and optimization.
  • Act as the primary technical contact for customer discussions, including unsupervised customer visits and technical presentations.
  • Collaborate effectively with Sales, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, Manufacturing, and other cross-functional partners on formulation initiatives.
  • Participate in ECOs, ingredient substitutions, and formulation refinements to support continuous improvement.
  • Support technical onboarding, training delivery, and mentorship of R&D team members.
  • Serve as an internal technical resource and represent R&D in cross-functional forums or onboarding discussions.
  • May provide temporary coverage for select formulation approvals or project acceptance, at the direction of the R&D Manager, to support business continuity.
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.
  • Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Education and/or Experience:
  • BS/BA Degree in Food Science/Nutrition/Chemistry preferred.
  • 10+ years' experience in the food industry in a scientific role OR 7+ years in a food/supplement formulation role at a food/supplement company.

Required Skills/Abilities:
  • Advanced formulation design expertise with production blending or process flow experience (both preferred).
  • Strong understanding of formulation scalability and manufacturing constraints.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word.
  • Experience working with and reading work orders and technical documentation.
  • Must have competence in analytical or mathematical calculations, especially those in stoichiometric and/or scale-up processes.
  • Be able to use wet chemical lab equipment, including but not limited to lab scales.
  • Be able to manage large projects by themselves or with a team.

Travel:
Light, including customer site visits as needed
Work Conditions & Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
  • Ability to view a computer screen and type for extended hours
  • Ability to adjust work schedule as business needs require.

Quality/Safety Responsibilities:
All Prinova employees are required to ensure compliance standards with food safety, food defense, and food quality (FDA, ILDPH, FSMA, and BRC).
It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with occupational safety and health standards issued under OSHA and to follow all rules, regulations, and procedures established by the Company to ensure that their actions do not impact on the health and safety of themselves or others.
What's in it for you?
Competitive Pay - $120,000 - $135,000 annually
Experience, education, geographic location and shift all taken into consideration.
Benefits:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Employer paid STD and LTD
  • HSA and FSA
  • Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
  • PTO
  • Employer paid Basic Life Insurance
  • 401(k) & Roth with employer match
  • Eight Paid Holidays + 3 Floating Holidays
  • Voluntary - Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident
  • Personal growth including training and development opportunities

Disclaimer: Prinova is committed to providing equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, creed, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, medical leave, marital status, citizenship status, ancestry, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, Civil Air Patrol status, or any other characteristic or group status protected under applicable law.

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