Director - Research & Development-Chemaid Research & Development Salaried SG&A

KDC is a network of best-in-class custom formulators and manufacturers of color cosmetics, skincare, haircare, bath & body, fragrance, deodorant, home, health, industrial, and auto care products. KDC delivers high-touch innovation, operational excellence, and speed to market to well-known and emerging beauty, personal, and specialty companies from coast to coast. KDC has its head office in Longueuil, Québec. In addition, KDC has 10 operating facilities located throughout North America. Altogether, the company employs nearly 4,800 talented and dedicated employees in North America.

FUNCTION:

The Director of R&D will be the driving force behind all creative and technical facets of research and development for prestige haircare and skincare product lines. This role is pivotal in guiding a multi-functional team to deliver innovative products efficiently through a rigorous and well-measured development process. The incumbent will identify and incorporate cutting-edge technologies, build organizational capability, and ensure succession planning within the lab. As a member of the senior leadership team, this role will contribute to business growth through strategic planning and the use of KPIs and performance metrics.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the formulation of new products and reformulation of existing products, ensuring alignment with benchmark prototypes, product development profiles, and innovative product forms, textures, and aesthetics.
• Oversee all technical aspects of innovation efforts, including the development of unique product forms to support proactive customer presentations and sales growth. Manage the innovation chemist and maintain an active innovation pipeline.
• Stay current with raw material technology, formula technology, and trends in skincare, haircare, and personal care products.
• Recruit, manage, motivate, and train technical staff, and collaborate with processing, planning, and production teams.
• Manage multiple projects from inception to product launch and post-launch issue resolution, ensuring full ownership and accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement by leveraging KPIs and key metrics across all areas of responsibility. Collaborate across departments to achieve top-level performance against customer scorecards and company performance measures.
• Ensure adherence to cGMPs (current Good Manufacturing Practices), GLPs (Good Lab Practices), SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and FDA/OTC regulations.
• Partner closely with Sales and Marketing to direct product development, establish priorities, and recommend new development ideas.
• Provide technical guidance and problem resolution for customers, building and maintaining strong customer relationships.
• Actively support Sales through participation in customer meetings, both on-site and at customer locations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of global, local, and company formulation guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Continuously recommend and implement improvements in practices and systems to enhance performance, efficiency, and quality.
• Monitor manufacturing activities and the performance and results of pilot and initial production processing.
• Ensure proper maintenance and adherence to lab records and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.
  
  

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a technical area (Science, Engineering, etc.) or 10 years of progressive experience in the formulation of beauty and personal care products.
• A minimum of 15+ years of industry or related experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cosmetic and personal care product development.
• Strategic thinking abilities to influence the company's direction, particularly in driving organic growth through innovation.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to handle and feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. Specific vision requirements include close vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to focus. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or manually move up to 25 lbs. The noise level associated with this position is classified as minimal.

KDC-ONE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. I understand that employment with KDC-ONE Company is at-will, meaning that I or KDC-ONE Company may terminate my employment at any time, or for any reason consistent with applicable state or federal law. I understand that KDC-One requires the successful completion of a drug and/or alcohol test as a condition of employment.

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