Formulation Chemist – Skincare

Joining the team at SC Johnson Professional® makes you part of a family company with a deep history in the professional market as a leading manufacturer of skincare, cleaning and hygiene products, and smart technologies. We provide solutions to Healthcare, Clean Industrial, Industrial, Office & Institutional, Hospitality & Travel, and Retail & Entertainment markets.

SC Johnson Professional®is a business unit within SC Johnson, a family-owned and led company and leading manufacturer of quality, trusted products since 1886.

Location: Denby, Derbyshire

Function: RD&E

Internal Job Title: Senior Associate, Research and Development, Design, Claims and Product Experience

• Competitive salary plus bonus

• 4+1 hybrid working model*
• Company pension scheme (up to 6% employer contributions)
• Life assurance (4× your salary)
• Free access to a healthcare platform offering nutritional advice, wellbeing support, and more
• Enhanced parental leave policy
• Free optical vouchers
• 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays
• Remote work available once a week for eligible employees
• Summer office hours: early Friday finish at 1:00 PM
• Employee benefits platform with discounts & wellbeing perks
• Access to employee assistance programmes
• Complimentary fresh fruit & hot drinks
• Subsidised on-site canteen
• Discounted products at our staff shop
• Free parking
• EV charging points at our Denby site (powered by our own renewable electricity!)
• Cycle-to-work scheme plus bicycle storage area
• “Save a Space” £200 monthly prize draw (earn a ticket every day you car share or don’t use a parking space!)
• And so much more!

About the Role:

We are looking for a passionate and technically skilled Senior Associate, Chemistry to join our Professional Global Research, Development & Engineering (RD&E) team, with a focus on Skincare.

In this role, you will play a key part in developing innovative skincare formulations and delivering high-quality products that meet consumer needs and business objectives.

Reporting to the Manager, Hand Hygiene you will use your chemistry and formulation expertise to drive new product development, product line extensions, cost-saving initiatives and technology improvements.

You will provide technical leadership across formulation activities, helping to shape scientific direction, solve complex technical challenges and ensure the successful delivery of projects.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys combining hands-on scientific expertise with innovation, collaboration and problem-solving to make a real impact on our skincare portfolio.

Responsibilities:

• Lead formulation development within larger projects and take ownership of smaller initiatives, driving activities from concept through to design freeze.
• Develop and optimise skincare formulations, ensuring compliance with internal ingredient standards, safety requirements and quality guidelines.
• Plan and conduct laboratory experiments, analyse results and identify opportunities to improve formulation performance and product quality.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership during scale-up activities, supporting the successful transition from laboratory development to manufacturing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including R&D, Marketing, Regulatory and Supply Chain, to deliver projects effectively.
• Partner with Procurement and external suppliers to evaluate, select and qualify new raw materials and ingredients.
• Maintain accurate technical data, formulation records and project documentation using SAP and PIE systems.
• Champion a strong safety culture by following laboratory best practices, proactively identifying hazards and ensuring a safe working environment.

Experience you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of science including Chemistry, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering

• Experience with multiple formulation technologies (e.g. gels, polymers, surfactants, solvents,builders and antimicrobial actives).

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of relevant regulatory processes and requirements, including Cosmetics Regulations, the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), Health Canada's Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Behaviors you’ll need:

• Technical Leadership: Make informed formulation decisions, balancing performance, cost, safety and sustainability.

• Collaboration & Communication: Work effectively across teams, translating complex technical information into clear insights.

• Analytical Thinking: Apply experimental design, data analysis and accurate documentation to drive informed decisions.

Please Note:

• This role is based in the UK, and applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
• This role is not eligible for relocation.
• We do not provide domestic or international relocation for this role.
• You will be required to work from the office 5 days a week during the 90 days. After this, the arrangement will transition to 4 days in the office and one day working from home each week.*

Inclusion & Diversity

We believe Inclusion and Diversity is more than a program. We embed inclusive practices in our day-to-day work, the way we relate to our colleagues, collaborate and make decisions.

We value the collective richness of the differences people bring to the organization, including style, personality, thoughts, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, and disability – that enables all to bring their full contributions to the organization.

Better Together

At SC Johnson, we believe people achieve their best when they collaborate and work together in person. We value connection to strengthen teamwork, accelerate problem solving, and drive innovation.