Cosmetica is recognized for innovation, excellence, and commercialization with award-winning products. From concept to creation, we offer an unparalleled array of services that will inspire, create and deliver every step of the way. We value and recognize talent and want you to help us create beauty in the world! At Cosmetica Laboratories, we are committed to growing our internal employees and developing them to become the best version of themselves.
Job Title: Manager, Research & Innovation (Hot Pour)
Department: Research & Innovation
Report To: Director, Research & Innovation
Location: Onsite
Status: Full Time Salary
Position Summary
R&I Lab Manager leads the Hot Pour laboratory, managing chemists and formula development activities aimed at securing client approvals for compliant, stable, scalable, cost-targeted cosmetic and over-the-counter products. The role combines people leadership with technical oversight of formulation, batching, filling, testing, documentation, and scale-up support. High level of technical expertise is mandatory for this role, in addition to organizational excellence and time-management within aggressive timelines.
The department’s main objective is to win client approvals. To that end, it is critical to understand the voice of the customer, find the scientific & data driven correlation between the behavior and chemistry of raw materials, product performance, quality, and stability and provide data to assure the required level of robustness is achieved for the scale up of the formulas developed in the R&I laboratory.
The ideal candidate is an adaptable and energetic people leader who brings positive energy to the team, inspires collaboration, and demonstrates resourcefulness, with a strong solution-oriented approach when navigating technical and business challenges.
Key Accountabilities:
- Manage and mentor R&I laboratory personnel and provide technical and functional guidance in the Hot Pour technology. Hot Pour category within Cosmetica’s R&I includes anhydrous and hydrous formulas, wax-based or polymer-thickened and stabilized systems, with suspended colorants, effect or functional solids, and other innovative technologies that fall within the category and work with a wide range of primary components.
- Review and assign the briefs to R&I personnel, manage lab schedule and priorities, ensure the formulas developed and submitted to clients match the benchmark and the brief, are compliant, meet the cost target, and the promised turnaround times deliver on deadlines.
- Lead the R&I team of direct reports in new development, shade matching, preparation of lab batches, testing, and all related activities within aggressive timelines.
- Plan and lead client visits focused on formula and shade development to achieve approval targets.
- Lead and oversee lab trials on filling parameters for a range of primary components used in Hot Pour technologies.
- Manage preliminary and component stability and clients’ sample requests by coordinating R&I staff, stability, analytical and packaging development groups.
- Elevate technical capabilities of the lab personnel by deepening expertise in wax-based and other Hot Pour technologies, troubleshooting formulas, and leading research into new raw materials and technologies with the end goal of furthering innovation strategies.
- Initiate, guide and support R&I personnel in investigations and formula optimization with experiments on RMs, formulations and processing to improve quality, product performance, or stability.
- Research and implement new test methodologies during formula development in the Hot Pour category that will increase robustness of formulas, minimize stability risks and support successful scale up.
- Support and collaborate with process engineers (TRG) and Production in the scale up process and commercialization.
- Achieve departmental KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), aligned with company’s goals and objectives, to measure departmental performance and areas of opportunity.
- Ensure that R&I personnel record all formulas, procedures, test results, and observations in the R&I formulation software (COPTIS), following good documentation practices and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for traceability.
- Apply coaching, facilitate training, provide feedback, and evaluate development of technical skills for direct reports.
- Conduct technical assessment and streamline management of new and existing raw materials to optimize the total number of different RMs in the company inventory and the company total dollar spending on raw materials.
- Source suitable R&I laboratory equipment and actively manage qualification and maintenance (training, ordering, testing support, maintenance, calibrations, writing and updating WIs).
- Support and initiate improvements in process and capabilities within R&I and support all other R&I duties as required.
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Skills, Experience and Education Required:
- Post-secondary education in science, preferably Chemistry, and equivalent work experience
- Minimum 7 years of formula development experience in the Hot Pour technologies in the cosmetic industry
- A minimum of 2-4 years’ experience managing, coaching, and leading a team, within the cosmetic industry.
- Excellent technical and practical knowledge of raw materials, their chemistry, functions and properties in Hot Pour cosmetic applications and other cosmetic technologies.
- Exceptional knowledge of filling parameters, componentry and troubleshooting in the Hot Pour systems.
- Strong record of developing formulas independently and winning approvals, and good knowledge of product evaluation and handling in cosmetic industry
- Previous and demonstrated experience in colour matching cosmetic products is mandatory.
- Excellent troubleshooting and critical thinking skills with ability to evaluate technical problems and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
- Good understanding and working knowledge of instruments and methods used for conducting physical /analytical testing in the Hot Pour category within the cosmetic industry.
- Good working knowledge and experience in GMP and Health Canada, FDA and EU cosmetic regulations
- Highly organized, initiative-taking, and flexible with ability to work in a demanding environment with aggressive timelines.
- Meticulous with lab processes and best practices such as GLP, GMP and 5S awareness.
- Strong technical writing skills
- Effective communication, interpersonal and computer skills
- Proven effective collaborator, creative and motivated, resourceful and solution oriented.
Nice to Have(s):
- Post graduate research experience will be added advantage
Total Rewards
The expected base salary range for this role is $110,000 – $115,000 CAD.
In addition to base compensation Cosmetica offers a competitive total rewards package which may include bonus eligibility, equity, benefits, retirement plans, paid time away from work, etc.
Final compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, market conditions, and internal equity.
Additional Information
Cosmetica Laboratories Inc. utilizes AI-assisted tools as part of its recruitment and hiring process. These tools are used to enhance equity, efficiency and consistency. All hiring decisions are made by qualified personnel in accordance with applicable laws and company policies.
Cosmetica Laboratories Inc. is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates,
Interested candidates are welcome to submit their resume and cover letter directly to this posting by December 1, 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest however, only candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted.
Cosmetica Laboratories Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity, respect and one which reflects the diversity of the community in which we operate. Accommodations are available for applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please advise when submitting your application.
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