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 Lab Formulator will be responsible for developing new cosmetic products for face applications, including formulation from scratch, color development, stability testing, compatibility testing, and safety testing coordination.
This role will work closely with the R&D Manager, Korean laboratory team members, the Germany-based R&D Explore group, GPS teams, suppliers, external testing laboratories, and other internal and external stakeholders.
The successful candidate will contribute to product innovation, formulation development, regulatory documentation, supplier collaboration, and the transfer of products to external partners in Korea, China, or other relevant locations.
This position is ideal for a hands-on cosmetics formulation professional with strong technical knowledge, creativity, attention to detail, and experience in color cosmetics or skincare-related formulations.
Key Responsibilities
Product Formulation and Development
Develop new cosmetic products for face application, including formulations created from scratch.
Work on color development, texture adjustment, product performance, and formulation optimization.
Support the development of skincare-related and liquid foundation formulations, as well as other face makeup products.
Conduct or coordinate stability, compatibility, and safety testing for new and existing formulations.
Prepare test reports and technical documentation related to formulation performance, product safety, and development progress.
Regulatory and Claims Support
Ensure claims substantiation is properly supported through relevant documentation, tests, and technical evidence.
Prepare and maintain regulatory documents related to raw materials, packaging, ingredients, and finished products.
Work with suppliers and external laboratories to collect the necessary documentation for raw materials, ingredients, packaging, and product testing.
Support compliance with internal standards and applicable cosmetic regulatory requirements.
Product Scale-Up and External Partner Coordination
Support product scale-up activities with external partners in Korea, China, or other relevant locations.
Collaborate with external testing laboratories, ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers, and formula suppliers.
Assist with troubleshooting formulation or technical issues during product development, testing, or scale-up.
Coordinate technical exchanges with suppliers and external partners to ensure product quality and feasibility.
Supplier and Market Intelligence
Organize supplier seminars and participate in fairs or industry events when relevant.
Identify and purchase necessary raw materials, packaging, and ingredients through coordination with the office manager.
Monitor Korean scientific trends, ingredient innovation, skincare developments, and liquid foundation formulation trends.
Share relevant insights with the R&D Explore group and central R&D teams.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with other Korean lab members, the R&D Manager, the Germany R&D Explore group, and GPS teams.
Provide technical input to internal teams regarding formulation feasibility, raw materials, packaging, and product performance.
Occasionally participate in DORA-related activities when required.
Support smooth collaboration between local Korean operations and global R&D functions.
Profile Requirements
Minimum 6 years of total professional experience, including at least 4 years in cosmetics formulation, product development, laboratory work, or a related R&D function.
Previous experience in color cosmetics, face makeup, liquid foundations, skincare formulations, or similar cosmetic products is strongly preferred.
Experience working with raw materials, pigments, ingredients, packaging, stability testing, compatibility testing, and safety testing is expected.
Experience collaborating with suppliers, external testing laboratories, or external manufacturing partners would be an advantage.
Technical Background
Strong hands-on formulation skills in cosmetics, especially for face application products.
Good understanding of cosmetic formulation development, color matching, product texture, stability, compatibility, and safety testing.
Knowledge of raw materials, pigments, active ingredients, packaging compatibility, and ingredient documentation.
Ability to prepare technical reports, testing summaries, formulation records, and regulatory support documents.
Familiarity with claims substantiation and cosmetic regulatory documentation would be highly valuable.
Product Development Skills
Ability to develop formulations from scratch and adjust products based on performance, stability, texture, color, and market requirements.
Strong attention to detail when conducting laboratory work, preparing samples, recording results, and managing formulation data.
Ability to troubleshoot formulation issues and propose practical technical solutions.
Understanding of product scale-up requirements and the ability to work with external production or technical partners.
Collaboration and Communication
Able to work effectively with local lab members, international R&D teams, suppliers, and external testing partners.
Comfortable working in a new R&D structure and supporting the development of local laboratory capabilities.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage several formulation projects or technical tasks at the same time.
Good communication skills for sharing technical updates, reports, supplier information, and market insights.
Language Requirements
Fluent Korean is required.
Good English communication skills are required, as the role involves collaboration with Germany-based R&D teams and other international stakeholders.
The candidate should be able to prepare written updates, technical reports, and documentation in English when needed.
Education
A degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Science, Biology, Materials Science, or a related scientific field is preferred.
Specialized training in cosmetics formulation, skincare formulation, color cosmetics, or product development would be an advantage.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: 60,000,000원 - 75,000,000원 per year
Work Location: In person
