Description The Formulation Chemist is responsible for the hands-on development, optimization, and commercialization of personal care formulations. This role is primarily focused on formulation research and product development, with secondary responsibility for supporting manufacturing scale-up and process transfer to ensure formulations can be reliably produced at pilot and production scale. The Formulation Development Chemist collaborates closely with Manufacturing and Engineering to bridge formulation intent with practical, scalable processing. Formulation Development Research, develop, and optimize personal care formulations from early concept through commercialization. Perform bench-scale formulation work to support new product development, reformulations, and line extensions. Design and execute formulation studies related to performance, aesthetics, and physical stability. Maintain clear and accurate formulation records, procedures, and experimental results. Create and maintain formulation documentation, including specifications, ingredient declarations, and batch instructions. Maintain strong technical knowledge of cosmetic ingredients, formulation strategies, and emerging technologies. Source and evaluate raw materials in support of formulation development and innovation. Manufacturing Scale-Up & Process Support Support the transfer of formulations from laboratory to pilot and full-scale manufacturing. Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Production teams during scale-up activities. Assist in defining processing parameters, order of addition, temperature control, and mixing conditions. Provide formulation support during initial production runs and scale-up trials. Support troubleshooting of formulation- or process-related issues encountered during manufacturing. Recommend formulation or process adjustments to improve manufacturability, consistency, and efficiency. Collaboration & Technical Communication Provide formulation expertise to cross-functional teams to support product development decisions. Support technical discussions related to product performance and formulation design. Assist with evaluation and qualification of alternate raw materials when needed to support manufacturing continuity. Laboratory Operations Support routine laboratory activities related to formulation development. Maintain safe laboratory practices and organized workspaces. Provide technical guidance to junior R&D staff as appropriate. Display and promote company values (ASPIRE: Attitude, Safety, Passion, Integrity, Relationship, and Evolve) Firm understanding and compliance with company's Good Manufacturing Practices and Safe Practices. Develops protocols, methods, and SOPs as needed. Other duties as assigned. Skills Chemistry, Formulation, Laboratory, Analytical chemistry, Research & development, R&d, Quality control, Wet chemistry, viscometer, hplc, ftir, regulatory compliance, fda compliance Top Skills Details Chemistry,Formulation,Laboratory,Analytical chemistry,Research & development,R&d Additional Skills & Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Cosmetic Science Minimum of 3 years of formulation experience in personal care or cosmetic science Strong background in cosmetic and personal care formulation chemistry. Direct experience with bench-scale formulation development. Working understanding of scale-up, pilot batching, and tech transfer to manufacturing. Insight into formulation-process relationships such as mixing, heating/cooling, and materials handling. Effective problem solver with a focus on manufacturable, robust formulations. Collaborative team player across R&D and Manufacturing functions. Experience with regulatory affairs and FDA regulations Experience Level Intermediate Level Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Cedar Rapids, IA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $50000.00 - $75000.00/yr. PTO (2 weeks) Health insurance Paid Holidays (12) 401k Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Cedar Rapids,IA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 19, 2026. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through: + Hiring diverse talent + Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection + Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes + Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day. Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.