Shape the Future of Beauty: Industrial Chemist, Cosmetics Manufacturing & Product Development

Are you a seasoned Industrial Chemist passionate about bringing innovative cosmetic products to life? A prestigious consulting group, representing a global staffing agency in Lagos, is actively seeking a highly skilled and experienced professional to lead critical initiatives in cosmetics manufacturing and product commercialization. This is an exceptional opportunity to apply your technical acumen and leadership in a dynamic environment, transitioning groundbreaking concepts from pilot formulation to successful market launch.

This pivotal role demands a blend of hands-on technical expertise and strategic advisory support. You will be instrumental in ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining stringent quality assurance standards, and optimizing production processes. The ideal candidate will possess practical, front-line experience in cosmetic product manufacturing, a deep understanding of scaling production, and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse cross-functional teams including business development, regulatory affairs, production, procurement, and external manufacturing partners.

Key Responsibilities: Driving Innovation and Excellence

As our Industrial Chemist, your expertise will touch every stage of product development and manufacturing:

Product Formulation & Development: Lead the creation and refinement of cutting-edge cosmetic formulations across skincare, haircare, personal care, and related categories. You will evaluate raw materials, active ingredients, emulsifiers, preservatives, and fragrances for performance, safety, stability, and cost-effectiveness, ensuring products meet sensory, efficacy, and performance benchmarks.
Manufacturing & Scale-Up: Oversee the seamless transition of products from laboratory batches to commercial production. This includes developing robust batch manufacturing procedures, optimizing processes like mixing, heating, cooling, filling, and packaging, and proactively resolving manufacturing bottlenecks and inefficiencies to enhance production efficiency and consistency.
Quality Control & Quality Assurance: Implement rigorous quality control procedures for all stages – raw materials, in-process, and finished goods. You will establish product specifications, testing protocols, monitor batch quality, investigate deviations, and maintain comprehensive quality documentation and traceability systems.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all products strictly adhere to NAFDAC regulations and international cosmetic manufacturing standards. Your role involves preparing technical documentation for product registration, verifying ingredient compliance, supporting labeling accuracy, and staying abreast of regulatory updates to advise management effectively.
Research, Innovation & Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement by researching emerging ingredients, technologies, and industry trends. You will identify opportunities for product innovation, analyze production data to optimize processes, and recommend cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality.
Technical Consultancy & Cross-Functional Support: Provide invaluable technical guidance to internal teams, participate in client consultations, and collaborate with business development on product feasibility and commercialization. You will also support procurement in supplier qualification and contribute technical insights during product launch strategies.

Qualifications & Experience: What You'll Bring

To excel in this role, you should possess a robust combination of academic knowledge and practical experience:

Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, or a closely related field is essential. A Master’s degree is considered a significant advantage.
Experience: You must have 3–5 years of practical experience in cosmetic manufacturing, industrial chemistry, product formulation, or similar production environments. Demonstrated experience taking cosmetic products from initial formulation through manufacturing to market readiness is critical. Exposure to regulated manufacturing, contract manufacturing, pilot production, or scale-up projects is highly desirable, as is experience in technical advisory or consultancy services.

Technical Skills:

Proficiency in cosmetic formulation and ingredient chemistry.
Expertise in manufacturing process optimization, batch processing, and scale-up.
Strong background in quality control, laboratory testing, and NAFDAC registration processes.
Knowledge of GMP, quality assurance principles, and meticulous documentation practices.
Ability to conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
Experience in raw material evaluation and supplier qualification.
Adept at data analysis and technical reporting.

Core Competencies:

Exceptional scientific reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
Meticulous attention to detail and a strong orientation towards quality.
Proficiency in analyzing complex formulation and production data.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
Proven capability for strong cross-functional collaboration.
High level of accountability, ownership, and a results-driven mindset focused on commercialization outcomes.
Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Join a Team That Values Innovation!

This is an outstanding opportunity for an accomplished Industrial Chemist to make a significant impact on the cosmetics industry. If you are ready to leverage your expertise to drive product development, ensure manufacturing excellence, and navigate regulatory landscapes, we encourage you to apply!