About the position
OLAPLEX, Inc. (Nasdaq: OLPX) is an innovative, science-enabled, technology-driven beauty company. We are founded on the principle of delivering effective, patent-protected and proven performance in the categories where we compete. We strive to empower our consumers to look as beautiful on the outside as they feel on the inside. We believe every person deserves to have healthy, beautiful hair, whether they are visiting a salon or caring for their hair at home. OLAPLEX has been able to achieve phenomenal growth and we continuously seek exceptionally talented individuals who can support our innovation and creativity. Collaboration and flexibility are at the core of our commitment to each other and to the success of OLAPLEX. We seek an experienced and talented Formulation Chemist to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of experience in the cosmetics industry and a strong formulation background. This role requires a deep understanding of key active ingredients, raw materials, product development, product efficacy/performance, and regulatory compliance, along with the ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholder teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead the formulation and development of innovative hair care products
- Research new raw materials, key active ingredients, and technologies to enhance product performance and market appeal
- Research key competitor products and understand their science, benchmarking performance against projects as necessary
- Develop and optimize formulations to meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capabilities
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality formulations
- Collaborate with the Regulatory, Safety, and Claims team to coordinate and execute testing plans
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to understand their needs, provide technical support, and present formulation concepts
- Work closely with our contract manufacturing partners to scale up formulations from the lab to production, ensuring consistency and quality
- Conduct stability testing of formulations, analyze results, and make necessary adjustments
- Utilize existing/research new performance test methods in the laboratory to measure product performance on hair
- Maintain accurate documentation of formulations, processes, and project timelines
- Collaborate with the Legal team to identify patent opportunities
- Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and advancements in hair care science
Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related field
- 3-5 years of experience in formulation within the cosmetics industry, with hair care formulation experience preferred
- Strong knowledge of key active ingredients, emulsions, surfactants, conditioning agents, styling polymers, preservatives, and other cosmetic ingredients
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements for cosmetic products in major markets (e.g., FDA, MOCRA, EU, China)
- Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively
- Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively
- Established industry presence and relationships
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present technical information to clients and internal teams
- Proactive approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
- Knowledge of sustainable and eco-friendly ingredient sourcing
Benefits
- Disability insurance
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) matching
- Professional development assistance
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
