You’re sooo Benefit!

The Sr. Director, R&D will lead a team of approximately chemists and validation specialists fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence, driving calendarized global product and service launches and reformulations in compliancy with all Benefit’s global standards regulations. This leader of R&D will drive the development of new technologies, sciences, and processes to maintain the company’s long-term calendar and competitive edge and support its growth objectives across key categories. The Sr. Director, R&D works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient workflow and transfer of all product information throughout the project life cycle up through production and reformulation.  

What You’ll Do:

Lead, mentor, and manage the R&D and Validation teams to achieve high performance across the development of new calendarized launches, reformulated projects, ingredient compliance, LVMH Research Lab management, and third party supplier management. Foster a collaborative and innovative culture within the total department. Set goals and objectives for the team to provide clear growth paths and individual development opportunities. Oversee development and execution of new developments through production, including constant risk management, key date management, internal cross functional collaboration, third party supplier management, LVMH management, and generally leading the R&D and Validation teams through the concept to launch process, providing support where needed. Oversee R&D and Validation timelines and completion of all required milestones in web-based project management system, providing leadership and troubleshooting where needed to avoid delays. Oversee R&D Validation Team for all products and services to ensure the on-time validation and compliance of all formula and internal requirements. Oversee Clean Screening initiatives for formula and packaging to adhere to multiple retailer clean campaigns and ensure team has a solid process for managing updates. Support R&D Team as they collaborate with R&D Validation to ensure all formulas are compliant with Benefit/LVMH requirements and guide the team through reformulations necessary for compliancy if needed. Own third party vendor project allocation based on supplier strategy, core competencies, business acumen, and on-time deliverables. Oversee the Director, R&I in completing vendor scorecards and providing feedback for vendor improvement. Partner with Purchasing to establish COG targets for all new formula development and alert cross functional teams when formulas are over target cost. Partner closely with Sr. Director, Quality and Sr. Director, New Product Development to evaluate scaled-up formulas, approve pilots, monitor stability, and help troubleshoot technical issues. Attend/support Piloting on site as necessary. Drive the chemistry innovation agenda, identifying and exploring new technologies, ingredients, and formulations in support of the company’s key strategic long term category opportunities. Monitor industry trends, emerging macro trends, competitive landscape, and technological advancements to inform R&D strategy and potential new product concepts. Research, support, and attend all Trade Show initiatives with product innovation, partnering with the VP, Innovation and Director of R&I to recommend new formulas and technologies to integrate into the launch calendar. Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and conferences to showcase our latest innovations and stay ahead of emerging trends. Collaborate with LVMH Research, SVP Global Product Service & Innovation, VP Innovation, and other senior management personnel to develop and manage the R&D budget, ensuring optimal allocation of
Manage full LVMH R&D Development budget, T&E and the competitive product testing budget, track ongoing spending and propose necessary adjustments if needed. Own the annual R&D Tax credit technical review and documentation. Ensure the continuous improvement of R&D processes, methodologies, and technologies. Ensure that all R&D activities comply with relevant regulations, standards, and ethical guidelines. Lead internal communication with cross-functional partners as it relates to formula development from approval through pilot, stability, and production. Attend any meetings needed to support this objective. Create processes and SOPs the support consistent, high quality and efficient workflow while reducing risk. Delegate/assign new formula development and reformulation projects to the R&D Team while managing teams’ workload.

 

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in science, Colour Cosmetic Formulation, Chemistry and a minimum of 15 years of experience in R&D, contract manufacturing and/or formula innovation, with a focus on colour and skincare. Equivalent experience may be accepted. Strong formulation technical skills including formulation and raw material knowledge, colour and texture evaluation, and ability to effectively review formula’s and understand ingredient adjustments needed to achieve desired attributes/texture. Strong leadership, team building, and project management skills, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. In depth understanding of industry formula requirements/guidelines. Familiarity working with third party subcontract manufacturer. Proficient with Microsoft office software and Project Management tools. Ability to contribute to wider corporate objectives, working with other Directors and VPs. Capable of applying strategic thinking throughout ideation and conceptualization. Experience managing budgets and creating expense analysis.

 

Schedule:

Hybrid - requires onsite presence weekly. This position is based out of our Global Headquarters corporate office in San Francisco, CA.

 

The target salary range for this position is $200,000 - $240,000 annually. The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, years of relevant experience; certifications or other professional licenses held; other legitimate, non-discriminatory business factors specific to the position; and the geographic location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will perform the job. This position is eligible to earn an annual bonus. This position is also eligible for the following benefits, including but not limited to: comprehensive health, dental and vision plans; a 401(k) plan with employer matching, various paid time off programs; employee discount/perks; life insurance; disability insurance; flexible spending accounts. Contract type: Permanent Job