Technical Development Manager Jobs in Pooler, GA

Job Description Summary:The R&D Manager is responsible for leading the development, optimization, and commercialization of innovative hair care and cosmetic products from concept through launch. This role manages formulation development, product performance evaluation, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional project execution while ensuring alignment with business objectives, consumer needs, and market trends.
The ideal candidate possesses strong technical expertise in cosmetic science, hair care formulations, and product development, coupled with leadership experience and a proven track record of successfully bringing products to market.Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

Lead the formulation and development of new hair care and cosmetic products, including shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products, scalp care, and other personal care products.

Drive innovation initiatives by identifying emerging technologies, ingredients, consumer trends, and market opportunities.

Develop product concepts that meet performance, stability, safety, and cost objectives.

Optimize existing formulations to improve product quality, performance, and manufacturability.

Technical Leadership

Manage multiple R&D projects from concept through commercialization.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to scientists, chemists, and formulation specialists.

Establish development timelines, project priorities, and resource plans.

Collaborate with global and regional stakeholders to align innovation strategies.

Formulation & Product Testing

Design and execute formulation experiments and performance evaluations.

Oversee product stability, compatibility, efficacy, and safety testing.

Analyze technical data and recommend formulation improvements.

Support scale-up and technology transfer activities for commercial manufacturing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Marketing, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, Manufacturing, Packaging, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams.

Support claims substantiation and product positioning activities.

Provide technical expertise during customer meetings, product reviews, and commercialization activities.

Regulatory & Compliance

Ensure product formulations comply with applicable cosmetic regulations and industry standards.

Support preparation of technical documentation and product registration requirements.

Maintain compliance with GMP, safety, and environmental guidelines.

Continuous Improvement

Monitor industry trends, competitor products, and emerging ingredients.

Identify opportunities to improve formulation efficiency, development speed, and product performance.

Support intellectual property evaluations, patents, and innovation projects where applicable.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.

Master's degree preferred.

Experience

Minimum 7 years of experience in cosmetic or personal care product development.

Minimum 2 years of people management or project leadership experience.

Proven experience in formulation development and commercialization of hair care and/or cosmetic products.

Experience working in a manufacturing or commercial product development environment.

Technical Knowledge

Cosmetic Formulation Science

Hair Care Product Development

Emulsions, Surfactants, Polymers, and Conditioning Technologies

Product Stability and Compatibility Testing

GMP and Cosmetic Regulatory Requirements

Experimental Design and Data Analysis

Project Management

Product Commercialization and Scale-Up

Preferred Qualifications

Strong experience in hair care product development including shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, styling products, scalp care products, and treatments.

Experience in multinational cosmetic or personal care companies.

Knowledge of cosmetic regulations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Experience working with contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.

Familiarity with sustainability initiatives, clean beauty concepts, and natural ingredient technologies.

Experience supporting patent development and intellectual property strategies.

Preferred Certifications

Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt

Cosmetic Science or Product Development Certifications

Core Competencies

Product Innovation

Strategic Thinking

Technical Expertise

Leadership & Team Development

Consumer Focus

Problem Solving

Project Management

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Communication & Presentation Skills

Results Orientation

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Number of Successful Product Launches

New Product Development Cycle Time

Innovation Pipeline Strength

Product Stability and Quality Success Rate

Formula Cost Optimization

Consumer Satisfaction Scores

On-Time Project Completion Rate

R&D Budget Adherence

Regulatory Compliance Performance

Ideal Candidate Profile

An experienced R&D leader with deep expertise in hair care and cosmetic product formulation, capable of driving innovation from concept to commercialization. The individual should possess strong scientific knowledge, project leadership capability, and a passion for developing high-performance products that meet consumer needs and business objectives.

Qualification(s):Education(s):High SchoolWork Experience:Experience Range III: 4 - 8 years of relevant experience or industry exposure in a related fieldSkill(s):Cosmetics Industry, Product Development, R&D ManagementLanguage(s):EnglishCertification(s):Not Applicable

The anticipated compensation range is

69,000.00 - 137,000.00 USD Annual

Actual compensation will be determined based on various factors including qualifications, education, experience, and location. The pay range is subject to change at any time dependent on a variety of internal and external factors.

Kiss Nail Products, Inc., KDC GA Corp., Ivy Enterprises, Inc., AST Systems, LLC, Red Beauty, Inc., or Dae Do, Inc. (collectively, the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.