Global Applications and Formulation Lead (Beauty & Personal care)

About US Scimplify is a science-first manufacturing company for Advanced Materials: from specialty chemicals to the emerging building blocks of next-generation energy applications, life sciences, and crop sciences. We scale process development and manufacturing as one continuous system, supported by world-class R&D infrastructure and executed across a global network of 500+ manufacturing partners and thousands of scientists and technical partners. The result: new materials go from molecule to commercial scale in months, not years. Scimplify operates offices and teams across 5 countries with 1,000+ innovator customers in 40+ countries. We are backed by investors such as Accel, Bertelsmann, Omnivore, Hitachi Ventures and 3one4 Capital, having raised over $80M. About the role Build Scimplify’s application capability from the beginning. This is a hands-on role for a strong skincare/suncare formulator who can translate ingredient performance into practical customer solutions. With the business leader’s support, you will establish the lab, shape its working methods and build a small technical team as the function develops. What you will own Develop the lab setup plan with the business leader, covering layout, equipment priorities, vendor evaluation, commissioning and working procedures. Target an operational lab within 3–6 months of joining. Create and document relevant prototype formulations using the initial Rehology modifiers, suncare and Active portfolio, and demonstrate ingredient performance against customer requirements. Plan formulation, rheology and stability studies; interpret results and investigate issues such as viscosity change, pH drift, phase separation and ingredient compatibility. Establish repeatable test methods, sample traceability, instrument checks, equipment care and clear reporting practices appropriate to the application lab. Work directly with customer R&D teams to understand problems, design trials and explain findings. Support distributor training, technical presentations and international customer visits. Help recruit, train and mentor technical colleagues as team positions are approved, while continuing to contribute at the laboratory bench. Prioritise customer projects with the sales managers and business leader, and develop wider application knowledge across Home Care and Aroma as the portfolio expands. What you bring Strong practical skincare and suncare formulation experience, including ingredient selection, mixing processes, troubleshooting and interpretation of stability results. Typically 8–12 years of relevant formulation or application experience, supported by a qualification in cosmetic science, chemistry, pharmacy, chemical engineering or a related discipline. Practical familiarity with mixing/homogenisation equipment, pH measurement, viscosity/rheology testing and controlled stability studies. You can explain equipment selection, operating conditions and measurement limitations. Clear communication with customer technical teams and the ability to convert experimental findings into useful application guidance. Readiness to build a lab and mentor colleagues. Previous lab-setup or team-management experience is useful; strong formulators taking their first leadership role will also be considered. Early priorities and success measures Establish the lab plan and instrument priorities, begin the first formulation and test protocols, and create a customer-project register. By months 3–6, the lab should support formulation, rheology and stability work, with a documented prototype library and a repeatable process for troubleshooting. Initial capability centres on these activities; specialist efficacy work can be coordinated externally when required.