Scientist, Skincare Consumer Science, Evaluation Intelligence, LOreal Research

L'Oréal - Clark, NJ

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Clark, NJ

Health and Personal Care Retailers

About the position

L'Oreal is seeking a Consumer Research Scientist to join its Evaluation Intelligence team within Consumer Science at the Clark, New Jersey Research facility. This role is pivotal in leading consumer product testing studies across various L'Oreal categories, including make-up, skin, and hair. The successful candidate will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of claims studies, from design to the dissemination of results, ensuring that product messaging is effectively supported by robust consumer insights. The position requires close collaboration with lab partners both locally and globally, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving research objectives. As a Consumer Research Scientist, you will design and oversee the execution of claims studies, which involves selecting target volunteers, developing questionnaires, and generating actionable insights that guide product development. You will initiate, develop, execute, and analyze consumer studies, producing succinct reports that highlight key insights and recommendations. Managing business partnerships with external agencies is also a critical aspect of this role, requiring effective communication and oversight of project details, including financial aspects. The role demands creativity and digital capabilities to enhance research learnings and communicate results effectively. You will collaborate with various teams to integrate qualitative insights with quantitative findings, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of consumer preferences. Additionally, you will work alongside sensory, expert, instrumental, and clinical evaluation teams to incorporate research outputs into consumer learning, thereby contributing to the development of innovative and high-performance beauty products.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee execution of claims studies from inception to completion including study design, target volunteer selection, recruitment, development of questionnaires or discussion guides for the generation of outstanding product insights to guide product development
• Initiate, develop, execute and analyze consumer studies, and make actionable recommendations that impact product development for future launches and meet business strategies
• Produce and create succinct reports highlighting key insights that can be translated into compelling actionable recommendations
• Manage business partnerships with our external agencies, communicate effectively, provide guidance and oversee full project details, including opening purchase orders and working with Finance
• Utilize creative and digital capabilities to enhance research learnings and communication of results
• Utilize existing tools to complement study results for comprehensive research learning
• Collaborate with teams to seamlessly integrate and extract qualitative insights with quantitative findings
• Collaborate with Sensory, Expert, Instrumental and Clinical Evaluation teams to help integrate the output of research from these sciences into consumer learning
• Work with consumers, sensory/consumer scientists, formulators, global counterparts, instrumental and clinical scientists, outside vendors, academics and consultants

Requirements

• 2+ years of relevant experience in qualitative and quantitative consumer product testing, including design, execution, analysis and reporting
• Experience working in Product Claims Messaging a plus
• Experience in Personal Care or the Cosmetic industry a plus
• Degree in Market Research, Psychology, Sensory Science, Integrated Innovation, Statistics, Behavioral Science or related field
• Track record of successfully managing and delivering on research projects (qualitative, quantitative, professional testing)
• Able to translate consumer insights into actionable recommendations to drive exceptional consumer satisfaction
• Flexible communication style to collaborate with multiple stakeholders from varying backgrounds; Able to effectively translate and present results and insights to business users at the Manager / Director / VP level
• Proven ability to 'connect the dots' and link learnings across tests to develop the bigger picture
• A high sense of curiosity and tenacity to ask the right questions and follow through with answers
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, in a fast paced environment under short deadlines, tolerance for business ambiguity; the ability to thrive under quickly changing situations; adaptable, with ability to meet short turnaround times
• Methodological mindset to test new ideas and work towards valid results
• Experience with managing external suppliers and ensure top value and performance for organization
• Self-motivated and able to operate independently, as well as work effectively with others
• Expertise in Cognitive Science or behavioral methodologies a plus
• Experience with innovative and creative methodologies and consumer centric approaches a plus
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, data entry and/or statistical software programs
• The ability to be onsite, in the office as this is an essential function of the position (required)
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis, without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future (required)

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working in Product Claims Messaging
• Experience in Personal Care or the Cosmetic industry
• Expertise in Cognitive Science or behavioral methodologies
• Experience with innovative and creative methodologies and consumer centric approaches

Benefits

• Corporate Short-Term Incentives (Corporate Profit-Sharing Bonus, Individual Performance Bonuses based on level)
• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (Up to 2 Days per week work from home for eligible roles, subject to manager approval)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oreal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products)
• Learning & Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs