Description

Join our Beauty Innovation team at Helen of Troy and make an immediate impact on our trusted brands: Drybar and Curlsmith. Together, we build innovative and useful products that elevate people's lives everywhere every day.

Look around your home, and you'll find us everywhere, in your kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom. We are already making your everyday lives better. We are powered by knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking people committed to developing a culture of inclusion. Whether you are just starting your career or in need of a challenge, we recognize, develop, and empower talent!

Position: Sr. Formulator, Liquid Technologies

Department: Beauty (Drybar & Curlsmith)

Work Location: Marlborough, MA (hybrid)

Hybrid Schedule: At Helen of Troy, we embrace a flexible hybrid work model designed to support collaboration and productivity. For roles eligible for hybrid work, our standard schedule includes in-office collaboration from Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Any updates to this model will be communicated in advance. Please note that hybrid eligibility and schedules may vary based on business needs and manager expectations.

What you will be doing:

The Senior Formulator is a technical leader responsible for the development, optimization, and commercialization of innovative hair care products and other liquid technologies. This role drives formulation strategy from concept through production, ensuring products meet performance, safety, regulatory, and quality standards. 

Working cross-functionally with Product Development, Regulatory, and external contract manufacturers, the Senior Formulation Chemist translates consumer insights and emerging technologies into high-performing, differentiated products. This individual serves as a subject matter expert internally and externally, guiding formulation design, technical decision-making, and supplier partnerships

Formulation Development & Innovation

• Work closely with Product Development to translate consumer insights, market trends, and new technologies into innovative product concepts and formulations.
• Evaluate and select raw materials to deliver targeted performance, aesthetics, and claims.
• Independently design, develop, and optimize formulations from concept through commercialization, including new product development and reformulations.
• Identify opportunities to enhance product performance, reduce costs, and improve sustainability.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive products, and ingredient innovations.
• Contribute to long-term innovation strategies and pipeline
   

Testing, Validation & Scale-Up

• Design and oversee stability, compatibility, safety and efficacy testing with external partners.
• Analyze and interpret data to ensure formulas meet desired specifications and performance claims.
• Partner with contract manufacturers and third-party labs as needed to execute development
• Oversee scale-up activities, including pilot and manufacturing trials, to ensure successful commercialization.
• Troubleshoot formulation or process issues during development and commercialization phases.
• Evaluate vendor capabilities and support technical audits when needed.
   

Regulatory, Quality & Documentation

• Collaborate with Regulatory team to ensure all formulations comply with global cosmetic and OTC regulatory requirements as appropriate.
• Support Regulatory in gathering appropriate raw material documentation and safety data.
• Prepare and maintain accurate technical documentation, including formulations, specifications, and development reports.
• Adhere to Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), safety protocols, and quality standards.
   

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a technical expert for internal teams, contract manufacturers, suppliers, and external laboratories.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior chemists and laboratory staff.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, and Packaging to ensure alignment and execution.
• Support claims substantiation and technical accuracy in product communication and marketing assets.

Requirements

Skills needed to be successful in this role:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are a must.
• Excellent project management skills
• Excellent teamwork skills
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage a large volume of diverse projects.
• Possess a creative mindset.
   

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent.
• 7+ years’ experience in personal care formulation. Hair care experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of cosmetic ingredients and related functions.
• Broad development skills and understanding of stability testing, claims substantiation, and process development/scale-up.
• Experience working with external contract manufacturers and raw material suppliers.
• Knowledge of cosmetic regulations (non-OTC/OTC).
• Proficiency in Microsoft office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Ability to be flexible with work schedules to meet deadlines onsite as needed.
• Ability to work in a lab environment and office (50-50%).
• Ability to attend early/evening calls for international calls as needed.
• Ability to travel domestically (up to 25%).
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.