Head of R&D (FMCG - Personal Care)

As Head of Research and Development – Personal Care FMCG you will play a central role in shaping the organisation’s approach to innovation. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve providing strategic direction across multiple teams responsible for R&D, product innovation, and packaging development

Head of Research and Development – Personal Care FMCG

Salary: Competitive and based on experience

Location: Jakarta

Keywords: collaborative, inclusive, supportive leadership, flexible working opportunities, knowledgeable, dependable, training opportunities, generous pensions contributions, growth leadership

A leading organisation in the fast-moving consumer goods sector is seeking a Head of Research and Development to spearhead their product innovation and packaging development functions, with a particular emphasis on skincare, cosmetics, personal care, and nutrition. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape the future of personal care products by guiding teams through every stage of research, formulation, testing, optimisation, and commercialisation. You will be at the forefront of technical advancements, driving both core R&D and packaging initiatives to ensure that products not only meet but exceed market expectations for quality, safety, and performance. The company values flexibility in working arrangements, encourages ongoing professional development, and fosters a supportive environment where your expertise can flourish. If you are passionate about transforming technical opportunities into commercially successful products while nurturing team growth and collaboration, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

• Lead multidisciplinary teams across R&D, Product Innovation, and Packaging Development to deliver high-quality skincare, cosmetics, personal care, and nutrition products that stand out in the market.
• Drive end-to-end product development from initial research and formulation through rigorous testing, optimisation, scale-up, and commercialisation while ensuring alignment with business priorities.
• Enjoy flexible working opportunities within an inclusive culture that prioritises training and knowledge sharing, enabling you to grow professionally while contributing to industry-leading innovations.

What you'll do:

As Head of Research and Development – Personal Care FMCG you will play a central role in shaping the organisation’s approach to innovation. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve providing strategic direction across multiple teams responsible for R&D, product innovation, and packaging development. You will guide projects from inception through formulation research to final commercialisation while maintaining close oversight of technical details such as ingredient selection and testing protocols. By collaborating with internal stakeholders like Marketing as well as external partners including manufacturers and laboratories you will ensure that every product meets stringent quality standards. Your ability to manage complex pipelines—balancing priorities against timelines—and your commitment to continuous improvement will be key factors in your success. Additionally you will nurture team capabilities by setting clear technical standards (including process workflows SOPs work instructions) reviewing performance regularly building a culture of knowledge sharing. Staying abreast of industry developments in cosmetic ingredients formulation technologies packaging innovations will enable you to strengthen the company’s competitive edge.

• Provide technical direction and set priorities for R&D, Product Innovation, and Packaging Development teams to ensure seamless collaboration and achievement of business goals.
• Act as the principal technical lead for formulation research and product development across skincare, cosmetics, personal care, and nutrition categories from concept through commercialisation.
• Oversee the creation and enhancement of formulations by ensuring product performance, stability, safety, quality standards, and cost requirements are consistently met.
• Research new ingredients, formulation technologies, product formats, and innovative approaches to support both new product launches and improvements to existing lines.
• Review formulations, raw materials specifications, testing results, stability data, and other technical outputs to guarantee robust product development outcomes.
• Offer expert guidance on formulation feasibility, ingredient selection, product performance evaluation, testing protocols, and development trade-offs.
• Manage the overall product development pipeline by prioritising projects according to technical complexity and business timelines while allocating resources efficiently.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing and Commercial teams to translate market requirements into technically feasible product concepts that differentiate offerings.
• Lead partnerships with third-party manufacturers, laboratories, suppliers of ingredients or packaging materials as well as external R&D partners to enhance development capabilities.
• Work alongside Regulatory and Quality teams to ensure all products comply with relevant safety standards and regulatory requirements throughout the development process.

What you bring:

The ideal candidate for Head of Research and Development – Personal Care FMCG brings extensive proven experience in cosmetic formulation research coupled with deep knowledge of personal care manufacturing processes. Your academic background in pharmacy chemistry chemical engineering or similar fields underpins your ability to tackle complex technical challenges. You have successfully led multidisciplinary teams through all stages of product development—from ideation prototyping testing optimisation scale-up right through commercial launch—while maintaining rigorous attention to detail regarding quality safety regulatory compliance. Your familiarity with packaging development ensures seamless integration between product functionality material selection manufacturing scalability consumer usability cost-effectiveness. You excel at managing multiple projects simultaneously balancing competing priorities allocating resources wisely fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders both internally externally. Your passion for innovation drives you to explore new ingredients technologies formats continually improving existing products expanding the portfolio. Strong interpersonal skills allow you to coach mentor build team capabilities set clear standards review performance constructively share knowledge generously.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Pharmacy Chemistry Chemical Engineering or related discipline is required for this position.
• At least 15 years’ experience in R&D Formulation Product Development or Innovation ideally within skincare cosmetics personal care or FMCG sectors.
• Demonstrated expertise in cosmetic formulation research including hands-on experience developing stable safe high-performing products.
• Experience managing or leading packaging development projects is highly desirable especially where integration with product requirements is critical.
• Proven track record taking products from initial formulation through prototype testing optimisation scale-up manufacturing trials up to successful commercialisation.
• Leadership experience overseeing R&D Product Development Packaging Development or Formulation teams including coaching mentoring setting technical standards.
• Comprehensive understanding of cosmetic ingredients formulation principles product stability compatibility testing methodologies performance evaluation.
• Background in product innovation such as developing new concepts exploring novel ingredients technologies renovating improving existing lines is advantageous.
• Strong project management skills enabling effective handling of multiple projects timelines priorities resource allocation within dynamic environments.
• Technical problem-solving analytical abilities combined with stakeholder management people management skills are essential for navigating challenges.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to excellence in personal care innovation within the FMCG sector. Employees benefit from flexible working opportunities that accommodate individual needs while promoting work-life balance. The company invests heavily in professional training programmes designed to enhance technical expertise foster continuous learning encourage knowledge sharing across departments. Generous pension contributions reflect a dedication to long-term employee wellbeing creating a sense of security loyalty among staff members. Supportive leadership practices cultivate an inclusive collaborative environment where every voice is valued ideas are nurtured achievements celebrated collectively. The focus on growth leadership means you’ll have access not only to cutting-edge resources but also mentorship networks that empower you develop your career further contribute meaningfully towards industry-leading advancements. By joining this team you become part of a network committed not just to delivering outstanding products but also supporting each other’s growth success every step along the way.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your expertise in personal care R&D to new heights within an inclusive supportive environment apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided.

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.