Head of Research And Development

Head – Research & Development (FMCG,Beauty & Personal Care)

About Company

Ghar Soaps is a skin care brand based in Pune, dedicated to simplifying skin care routines for effective results. Our brand's mission is to make skin care simple and accessible to all individuals. With a focus on natural ingredients and straightforward products, Ghar Soaps aims to enhance the skin care experience for customers.

Role Summary

The Head of R&D will lead advanced formulation Development, product innovation, Stability and technical strategy for the beauty and cosmetics division. The role requires deep scientific expertise, leadership in formulation development, and a passion for innovation that bridges research with commercial success. The individual will drive the brand's next-generation product pipeline — blending modern science with sustainable, effective beauty solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation & Formula Development

· Lead and oversee all formulation and product development activities skincare, haircare, and beauty and personal products

· Apply scientific research and advanced formulation techniques to develop safe, stable, and high-performing products.

· Explore and validate new molecules, actives, and natural bio-ingredients aligned with brand positioning.

· Design and supervise clinical efficacy studies, product stability, compatibility, and sensory evaluations.

· Partner with marketing and brand teams to translate consumer trends into scientifically-backed formulations.

Technical & Regulatory Compliance

· Ensure adherence to
GMP, BIS, FDA, and ISO 22716
 cosmetic regulations for all formulations.

· Oversee preparation of
Product Information Files (PIF)
,
MSDS
,
COA
, and ingredient documentation.

· Ensure product claims validation through third-party labs, dermatological testing, and safety assessments.

· Maintain and review all documentation for regulatory submissions and audits.

Process & Scale-Up Leadership

· Lead
pilot production trials
, process optimization, and technology transfers to manufacturing units.

· Troubleshoot technical issues during scale-up and ensure reproducibility of formulations in bulk production.

· Work closely with
Production, QC, and QA
 teams to ensure batch consistency and quality excellence.

Research Leadership & Collaboration

· Drive scientific innovation through new formulation technologies, ingredient chemistry, and process improvements.

· Collaborate with
universities, research labs, and suppliers
 on emerging technologies and co-development projects.

· Guide a team of formulators to deliver innovative, high-quality product outcomes.

Strategic Direction & Innovation Pipeline

· Develop and execute the long-term R&D roadmap aligned with business goals and consumer trends.

· Identify white spaces for innovation in ingredients, textures, and product formats.

· Support cost-optimization and sustainability initiatives without compromising product performance.

Key Skills & Competencies

· Deep expertise in
cosmetic chemistry
,
formulation science
, and
product stability
.

· Strong understanding of
dermatological science
, raw material functionality, and sensory properties.

· Familiarity with
analytical methods
 and instrumentation used in formulation validation.

· Proven track record of
scientific leadership
 and cross-functional collaboration.

· Excellent knowledge of
GMP, ISO 22716, BIS
, and cosmetic compliance frameworks.

· Strategic thinking, innovation mindset, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

· Ph.D. in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, or Chemical Engineering.

· 12–18 years
 of experience in
cosmetic, beauty, or personal care R&D
, including formulation leadership.

· Proven success in developing
innovative, market-winning formulations
 and leading technical teams.

· Exposure to
international cosmetic regulations
 and product development standards preferred.