Title:  Sr Skincare Formulation Chemist

A Place Where People Matter. 

Start your career journey with Univar Solutions!  Here you can make an impact on the world around you and accelerate your career in areas that energize and excite you. 

Univar Solutions is a leading global product supplier spanning food ingredients, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics serving more than 80,000 customers across 100 countries.

This is a key position based in our Laboratory, based in Houston, Texas, which is part of our network of Global Solution centers. You will report into the NA Technical Director and will work very closely with the business to help us drive growth in this area. The ideal candidate will have managerial and project management experience as well as being a hands-on development leader.  Additionally, you will be encouraged to understand raw materials, product development, product efficacy/performance, and regulatory landscape. You will have a keen curiosity about current markets and latest technologies.

What you´ll do:

• Run lab-based activity in our Personal Care lab (with emphasis on bioactive ingredients), working alongside other technical managers, ensuring that objectives are set, targets are met, and that resources are allocated and prioritized appropriately.
• In collaboration with some of our strategic supplier partners in Personal Care, own the formulation and development of innovative skincare products containing key active ingredients including creams lotions, serums, and other topical applications. 
• Collaborate with customers to understand their needs, provide technical support, and present formulation concepts.
• Use your technical problem-solving experience to tackle our customers technical problems, but also guide our technicians and chemists to address issues.
• Encourage innovative ways in application projects to meet customer requirements and align with market trends, while supporting Marketing's objectives and goals.
• Rigorously adhered to enabling safe conditions for all those who work in or visit the laboratory.
• Track and supervise projects and revenue generation, ensure that all important metrics are being met.
• Increase participation in technical forums with presentations, posters, papers etc.
• Update/collaborate/Co-ordinate with regional laboratories, with particular emphasis on ensuring we meet our modernization goals. This will need very close collaboration with not only the business, but leaders of other centers to ensure Global harmonization and optimization.
• Cultivate relationships with important teams, meeting business expectations and swiftly resolving any issues. Bring up significant issues or resource shortages when needed.
• Establish and co-ordinate technical training program for the Sales Team
• Build a very cohesive communication link and plan with our commercial and marketing colleagues.
• Travel will be required to visit customers, suppliers, trade shows and scientific events.

What you´ll need:

• Minimum Bachelor of Science or related fields is required. Master or PhD in a Cosmetic or Chemistry related field is preferred, although equivalent experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of cosmetic formulation experience, with very strong emphasis on formulating skincare products with bioactive ingredients.
• A deep knowledge of skin science, skin biochemistry and latest dermatological trends and research that can impact the cosmetic's market.
• Be up to date on recent advances in the field, and how this can build new exciting and innovative products
• Understanding of Personal Care and Cosmetic Ingredients is essential.  Experience of working in distribution would be distinct advantage.
• A broad knowledge of the “Personal Care Life-cycle” (including, development and scale up) would be advantageous.
• Outstanding communications skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present technical information to clients and internal teams.

Where you´ll work:

• Houston-Lab Facility, TX. Hybrid work schedule as needed but job is more effective on-site. Job shift is M-F, 8 am – 5 pm.

Univar Solutions is a leading, global distributor of chemicals and ingredients essential to the safety, health, and wellbeing of our daily lives from life-saving medicines and vitamins to hand sanitizers and industrial materials used for cleaning, construction, and more.  Our team of more than 10,000 employees support our vision to redefine distribution and be the most valued chemical and ingredient distributor on the planet!

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes market aligned pay and incentives as well as a diverse benefits offering to support our employees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

Univar Solutions supports sustainable solutions for the world around us so that we can do our part to help keep our communities healthy, fed, clean, and safe! 

We are committed to a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusion.  Together, we are building a culture that acknowledges the unique experiences, perspectives and expertise of individuals and provides the development and growth opportunities to empower us to redefine our industry. 

Univar Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected classification.

Univar Solutions does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms (collectively Recruiting Firms). Recruiting Firms must enter into a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Univar Solutions prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. All searches must be initiated by Univar Solutions' Talent Acquisition team and candidates must be submitted via Applicant Tracking System (ATS) by approved vendors who have been expressly requested to make a submission for a specific job opening. No placement fees will be paid to any firm unless the aforementioned conditions have been met. Contacting our hiring managers directly is prohibited.