About the Company
This is a global private-label cosmetics manufacturer with a long-standing reputation in color cosmetics innovation. The company specializes in the development and production of cosmetic pencils, eyeliners, lip products, brow products, and other makeup solutions for internationally recognized beauty brands.
The company is establishing a new R&D function in Korea to strengthen its regional innovation capabilities and better support product development for the North Asian market.
About the Job
The R&D Director will be responsible for leading and managing the company’s new R&D laboratory in Korea. This is a strategic leadership role combining people management, project coordination, technical oversight, budget responsibility, and cross-functional collaboration.
The successful candidate will act as the main R&D leader in Korea, working closely with internal teams across R&D, Marketing, Product Management, Sales, and regional business functions, as well as external partners such as IP agencies, testing laboratories, industrialization sites, and packaging suppliers.
This role will report to the Vice President of R&D based in Germany and will play a key role in supporting innovation, formula development, product adaptation, and market intelligence for North Asia.
Key Responsibilities
R&D Laboratory Management
Manage the full operation of the Korean R&D laboratory, including people, projects, budgets, deadlines, and equipment.
Lead and coordinate the local R&D team, ensuring effective workload planning, project execution, and alignment with global R&D standards.
Oversee laboratory organization, technical processes, and daily operations to ensure high-quality output and efficient project delivery.
Product Development and Formula Management
Receive and review briefs from Product Management and Marketing teams for exploratory product development projects.
Support the development, testing, and improvement of cosmetic formulas, particularly for color cosmetics and makeup products.
Manage formula transfer requests and identify technical challenges or weaknesses during the exploitation and industrialization phases.
Work closely with industrialization sites and packaging suppliers to ensure smooth product development and production readiness.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with global and regional internal stakeholders, including R&D, Marketing, Product Management, Asia Sales, and China-based teams.
Report regularly to the global R&D leadership team, including written updates, project progress reports, technical feedback, and market insights.
Coordinate with external partners such as testing laboratories, IP agencies, suppliers, and industrialization partners.
Market and Innovation Intelligence
Monitor cosmetic market trends, consumer preferences, product innovations, and scientific developments in Korea and North Asia.
Provide insights to internal teams regarding marketing trends, technical innovations, product opportunities, and competitor activity.
Support the company’s regional innovation strategy by translating local market knowledge into actionable R&D recommendations.
Profile Requirements
Minimum 8 years of total professional experience, including at least 5 years in relevant R&D, formulation, product development, or technical leadership roles within the cosmetics, beauty, personal care, or related chemical industries.
Previous experience in color cosmetics, makeup formulation, cosmetic pencils, eyeliners, lip products, brow products, or similar product categories would be highly preferred.
Experience managing an R&D laboratory, technical team, or product development function is strongly preferred.
Experience working with international teams or reporting to overseas headquarters would be a strong advantage.
Technical Background
Strong understanding of cosmetics formulation, product development processes, testing requirements, and industrialization procedures.
Knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, formulation stability, product performance, packaging compatibility, and regulatory considerations.
Ability to evaluate formula transfer requests, troubleshoot formulation issues, and identify technical risks during development or scale-up.
Familiarity with cosmetic testing laboratories, suppliers, industrialization sites, and external technical partners.
Leadership and Management Skills
Proven ability to manage technical teams, project timelines, budgets, laboratory resources, and cross-functional priorities.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple development projects simultaneously.
Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Comfortable working in a newly established structure and building processes, routines, and collaboration channels from the ground up.
Language and Communication
Fluent Korean is required.
Strong English communication skills are required, as the role reports to senior R&D leadership based in Germany and will collaborate with international teams.
Ability to prepare clear written reports, technical updates, project summaries, and market insight reports in English.
Education
A degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Materials Science, Biology, or a related scientific discipline is preferred.
An advanced degree or specialized training in cosmetics formulation, R&D, or product development would be an advantage.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: 100,000,000원 - 120,000,000원 per year
Work Location: In person
