Senior Research and Development Chemist Job Listing at Kelly Services in Miami, FL (Job ID 9857286)

Description

Senior Research & Development Chemist
Kelly Science & Clinical

Kelly Services® has been providing outstanding employment opportunities to the most talented individuals in the marketplace. We are proud to partner with an innovative personal care and OTC products organization to offer an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research & Development Chemist. This role is ideal for an experienced formulation scientist who thrives in a fast-paced, customer-driven environment and enjoys bringing products from concept through commercialization.

Location: Onsite (Miami, FL)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Compensation: TBC 

Position Overview

The Senior Research & Development Chemist is an experienced researcher and formulator responsible for developing innovative personal care, cosmetic, and OTC products (including sunscreens and anti-acne products). This role combines deep technical expertise with creativity, leadership, and strong communication skills to deliver market-ready formulations that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiate project concepts, define objectives, assign priorities, and manage multiple projects with minimal supervision

• Independently investigate and resolve formulation, research, and scale-up challenges

• Develop personal care, cosmetic, and OTC formulations from concept through finished product

• Communicate directly with customers on technical, regulatory, and performance-related topics

• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, cGMPs, and applicable product development standards

• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities, including raw material optimization

• Lead scale-up of approved formulations and identify critical process variables

• Troubleshoot production issues and address batch variability

• Set product specifications and author compounding and manufacturing procedures

• Supervise and coordinate pilot and production batches

• Provide documentation for new formulas and raw materials to Operations and Quality teams

• Collaborate with QC to support testing and approval of new ingredients and finished goods

• Conduct vendor research and evaluate new raw materials

• Compose and review ingredient lists, QQs, and artwork for accuracy and compliance

• Interpret laboratory results, assess product risk, and communicate findings to Sales and leadership

• Stay current on retail market trends, formulation technologies, and ingredient innovations

• Train, mentor, and supervise laboratory staff (permanent and temporary)

• Perform additional duties as assigned

Required Skills & Abilities

• Advanced formulation expertise and strong technical knowledge

• Thorough understanding of FDA regulations and cGMPs

• Ability to drive creative research and strategic product development recommendations

• Skilled at translating consumer insights into actionable formulation solutions

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines

• Methodical, data-driven approach to experimentation and problem solving

• Experience managing external suppliers and vendors

• Self-motivated, independent, and collaborative work style

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

• High level of initiative, innovation, critical thinking, and attention to detail

• Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively with all organizational levels

• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 8+ years of personal care formulation experience
  OR

• Advanced degree in Cosmetic Chemistry or related discipline with 6+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field

• 10+ years of experience formulating personal care and cosmetic products

Why Kelly Science & Clinical?
At Kelly, we connect top scientific talent with meaningful opportunities where they can make an impact. We offer dedicated recruiter support, access to industry-leading clients, and opportunities to advance your career in science and innovation.

Apply today to join a team where your formulation expertise helps shape the next generation of personal care and OTC products.

#P1

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Science & Clinical?

Kelly Science & Clinical is your connection to premier scientific and clinical companies looking to hire industry experts just like you. Our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world's most critical challenges. Every day, we match science professionals with dream jobs that fit their skills, interests, and career goals—it's the way we think job searching should be. Nearly 100 percent of our science recruiters have a professional background and education in science, so we know a thing or two about the science market and how to get your expertise noticed.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we're obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it's about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It's the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It's the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California's state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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