Director of Quality and R&D

JOB DESCRIPTION

Director of Quality and R&D 

T H E   J O B

R O L E S     R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

The Director of Quality and R&D will lead product innovation, formulation strategy, and quality systems to ensure all products meet the highest standards of safety, efficacy, regulatory compliance, and brand integrity. This leader will oversee new product development from concept through commercialization while maintaining rigorous quality control processes across raw materials, manufacturing, and finished goods.

This role is critical to protecting and advancing our commitment to clean, non-toxic, high-performance products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead end-to-end product development, from concept ideation to launch
  
  

• Develop innovative formulations aligned with clean ingredient standards
  
  

• Oversee lab trials, stability testing, and performance validation
  
  

• Translate brand vision and customer needs into scalable, compliant formulations
  
  

• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain to align timelines and launch strategy
  
  

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Oversee quality management systems (QMS) and SOP development
  
  

• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, cosmetic GMP standards, and relevant state/international regulations
  
  

• Manage product testing (microbial, stability, compatibility, etc.)
  
  

• Maintain documentation for audits and regulatory inspections
  
  

• Lead investigations and root cause analysis for quality deviations
  
  

Supplier & Manufacturing Oversight

• Qualify and audit raw material suppliers and manufacturers
  
  

• Ensure ingredient transparency and safety documentation
  
  

• Partner with Operations to improve production consistency and quality
  
  

• Establish incoming raw material standards and finished goods specifications
  
  

Regulatory & Risk Management

• Oversee ingredient review and safety substantiation
  
  

• Stay informed on evolving cosmetic and clean beauty regulations
  
  

• Ensure labeling compliance and claims substantiation
  
  

• Manage product liability risk and documentation
  
  

Leadership & Strategy

• Build and lead the Quality & R&D team
  
  

• Set innovation roadmap aligned with company growth goals
  
  

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives
  
  

• Establish KPIs related to quality metrics, product performance, and development timelines
  
  

• Report to executive leadership on product pipeline and quality performance

PEOPLE CULTURE

• Identify opportunities for the team’s development that align with the company vision and core values

• Empower the warehouse, shipping, and manufacturing teams to allow for continued organizational growth

• Partner with HR to identify talent strengths and weaknesses, create a plan for development, leading to better-trained managers and continued employee progression

• Through people-centric leadership, create a culture that is inclusive to better position the organization for continued growth

I D E A L   C A N D I D A T E   C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

When we consider the ideal candidate for this role, these are the top qualities that come to mind:

• 8–12 years of experience in cosmetics, skincare, personal care, or CPG

• Strong background in cosmetic chemistry or formulation science

• Experience managing quality systems and supplier audits

• Proven leadership experience

• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Passion for clean, non-toxic product development

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field

• Experience in natural or clean beauty formulation

• Experience scaling products from small batch to commercial manufacturing

• Experience working in a high-growth, founder-led company