Senior Chemist I, Hair Care Open Development, L'Oreal Research & Innovation

Job Title: Senior Chemist, Digital, Formulation & Open Development - Hair Care, Research & Innovation

Location: Clark, NJ - 30 Terminal Ave.

Life is too short for a boring career, so build an extraordinary one with us. We believe your career should spark the same thrill and curiosity as your personal interests. Creativity drives everything we do, turning ideas into meaningful impact. With opportunities across brands, markets, and divisions, your growth knows no boundaries.

Who We Are: Join us at L'Oreal, the world's #1 beauty company present in over 150 markets. For over a century, we have been transforming; fueled by data, tech, innovation, and science. Together, we tackle big challenges while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

At L'Oreal Research & Innovation, we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 4,100 L'Oreal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people's lives.

A Day in the Life:

• Develop and refine innovative hair care formulas across diverse galenic forms. You will leverage new ingredients to create unique textures and deliver exceptional efficacy, resolving stability and technical issues directly in the lab.
• Serve as the primary technical lead and negotiator for external contract manufacturers (CMs). You will translate brand needs into actionable development briefs while providing expert guidance on formulation standards and sustainability.
• Lead technical projects that integrate digital insights into the bench-top formulation process. You will evaluate vendor-provided formulas using both physical-chemical laboratory assessments and predictive digital modeling.
• Design and implement data-driven models and AI tools to optimize hair care formulation scouting and development. You will turn complex vendor data into actionable insights that accelerate the launch of high-performance products.
• Act as a strategic liaison between internal stakeholders (Marketing, Safety, Regulatory, Micro..) and external partners. You will negotiate technical milestones and ingredient requirements to ensure external innovations comply with L'Oreal's global standards.
• Proactively identify technical risks in outsourced developments using data visualization tools (Power BI) to implement mitigation strategies and maintain meticulous digital records of formula developments.

We Are Looking For:

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Data Science, or a related scientific field is required (Master's or PhD preferred).
• Experience: 3-5 years of experience in cosmetic formulation (Hair Care, Styling, or Treatments preferred) with a proven track record of bringing products to market.
• Digital Proficiency: Proficiency in AI, data management, and visualization tools. Experience with Power BI is highly desirable.
• Communication & Negotiation: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to influence external partners and negotiate complex technical briefs with contract manufacturers or raw material suppliers.
• Innovative Spirit: You challenge the status quo and look for "what's next," combining a "hands-on" lab attitude with a "digital-first" mindset.
• The ability to be onsite in the office, as this is an essential function of the position (required).
• The ability to lift 35 lbs (15.8 kg) (required).
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future (required).

What's In It For You

• Base Salary Range: $77,400 - 110,300 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (Up to 2 Days per week work from home for eligible roles, subject to manager approval)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oreal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Don't meet every single requirement? At L'Oreal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We're committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual's gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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