Director, R&D

Benefit Cosmetics

Calling all rule-breakers, innovators & fun-loving self-starters! Are you smart, sassy & scrappy? Do you love to laugh out loud? You’re just what we’re lookin’ for, Gorgeous!

We’re Benefit Cosmetics, the indie beauty brand-turned-prestige powerhouse under leading luxury products group Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy. Founded in 1976 by twins Jean & Jane Ford in San Francisco, today we’re in 59 countries with more than 3,000 BrowBars & 6,000 trained service experts worldwide. At Benefit, we believe laughter is the best cosmetic, because when we’re laughing & having fun, that’s when we’re our most beautiful. We're known to work smart & laugh hard. Sound like you? You’ve come to the right place!

You’re sooo Benefit!

The Director of R&D is responsible for overseeing the R&D Formula Development team in all facets of formula development to ensure alignment with calendarized global launches and compliancy with all Benefit’s global regulations. The Director of R&D works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient workflow and transfer of all product information throughout the project life cycle up to production.

What You’ll Do:

• Partner with Product Innovation on new formula development initiatives and project briefs to ensure alignment with global launch strategy and calendarized launches
• Advise on vendor project allocation based on core competencies, business acumen, and on-time deliverables
• Collaborate with RD Validation and Regulatory team to ensure all new and current formulas are compliant per LVMH and guide the team through reformulations necessary for compliancy if needed
• Collaborate with RD Claims team to incorporate story-telling ingredients into formulas that can be substantiated
• Delegate new formula development and reformulation projects to the R&D Managers
• Supervise Associate Project Manager Formula Development on daily and long-term task and initiatives to support the team
• Manage LVMH R&D Development budget, T&E budget, and competitive budget and track ongoing spending and propose necessary cuts to stay within budget
• Manage team of 5 and ensure their professional growth and development opportunities

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of formula development on the bench with a focus on skincare and/or color cosmetic formulation
• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Colour Cosmetic Formulation, Chemistry, or equivalent
• Passionate about the beauty industry
• Strong technical skills including formulation and raw material knowledge with strong formula evaluation skills
• Experience managing budgets and creating expense analysis
• Ability to effectively review formula’s and understand ingredient adjustments needed to achieve desired attributes/ texture
• Ability to contribute to wider corporate objectives, working with other Directors and VPs
• Fluent in English, Fluent in French would be an asset but not required

Schedule:

• Hybrid - requires onsite presence weekly