Research Associate

Be the First to Apply Job Description Research Associate. Seeking a dynamic R&D professional to drive end-to-end formulation development and New Product Development (NPD) in the personal care/FMCG space. The role focuses on delivering innovative, cost-effective, and scalable formulations across multiple formats with a strong emphasis on fast-track development and First-Time-Right (FTR) commercialization.

The incumbent will work closely with cross-functional teams to translate consumer insights and business requirements into high-quality, market-ready products, while ensuring speed, robustness, and regulatory compliance. § Independently lead end-to-end formulation development and process design for personal care products across formats (creams, lotions, gels, deodorants, body oils, cleansing) § Drive fast-track NPD ensuring OTIF timelines and First-Time-Right (FTR) commercialization § Translate marketing concepts and consumer insights into technically feasible, cost-effective, and scalable formulations § Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and stakeholder alignment § Perform technical scoping including literature review, benchmarking, ingredient selection, and formulation strategy § Apply DoE and scientific approaches to optimize formulations for performance, stability, manufacturability, and cost efficiency § Conduct trend mapping and competitive intelligence to drive innovation and differentiation § Identify opportunities and drive innovation, cost optimization, and sustainability initiatives § Execute formulation trials, stability studies, and product evaluations considering performance, cost, packaging, regulatory, and safety requirements § Lead pilot batches, scale-up, and technology transfer in collaboration with manufacturing and supply chain teams § Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Marketing, QA, Analytical, Regulatory, Procurement, Supply Chain) and manage external stakeholders (vendors, third-party manufacturers, labs) § Ensure compliance with GLP, GDP, regulatory, and internal quality standards, maintaining audit-ready documentation § Create product demos and technical tools to support business and product understanding § Draft and validate product claims based on formulation and ingredient functionality, ensuring regulatory alignment § Act as a technical partner to marketing, supporting Key Visuals (KV), A+ content, and product storytelling § Drive continuous improvement in safety, processes, and operational efficiency § Maintain accurate documentation and digital systems for project tracking and data management