R&D Manager

At TA Resources we have re-imagined traditional staffing and HR consulting with Small to mid-size businesses in mind. Focusing on what makes our clients unique we match them with the talent they need to continue to grow. We are currently searching for an R&D Manager for our client located in Lake Forest, IL. This is a full-time office role located in Lake Forest.

Our client is an entrepreneurial company that provides contract manufacturing services to the cosmetics and personal care fields. They've been in business since 2018 and have grown at a very fast pace since that time. They specialize in developing and packaging liquids, creams, and hot-fill personal care products into bottles, tubes, jars, sachets, packets, and other package formats.

The Manager of R&D must be a product development and commercialization professional, with both management and technical capabilities. This position will lead all of the R&D functions from innovation, product development, managing creative and personnel related activities. Responsibilities include all steps of formula development from ideation to final formulation, focusing on product innovation to ensure profit growth and customer development.

Primary responsibilities will be the innovation of new products, managing customer growth and development a small team to help drive projects and individual growth. This is a hands‑on position which focuses on growth opportunities and strategic direction. This person will need to have good management skills to manage various teams saving and regulatory compliance. This position requires a strategic leader with strong technical expertise, exceptional attention to detail, and dedication to process, continuous improvement and innovation.

Other responsibilities include research on raw materials, vendor management and product presentations. This person will be leading a team that manages the development of multiple products simultaneously and should be comfortable in a fast‑paced multi‑tasking environment.

• Drive, develop and formulate innovative, mutually profitable, safe and effective products for both contract manufacturing and internal brand customers.
• Manage and develop the R&D team to build our products as a superior contract manufacture and the go to for innovation and technology for outside brands.
• Can work on multiple projects under tight timelines while ensure projects meet timelines, objectives and regulatory compliance.
• Responsible for the continued growth of sales, through new product development and customer relationships. Work directly with customers to help foster healthy relationships and growth of new business.
• Drive the strategies of all creative and technical aspects of the R&D team.
• Drive, manage and execute both cost savings and process improvement programs per FY objectives.
• Drive and manage ingredient compliance strategies. Be proactive on ingredient direction for customers brands as well as internal strategies to minimize obsolescence and be relevant with mark trends and retailers compliance policies.
• Stay abreast of industry regulations, standards, and guidelines related to personal care raw materials/formulas. Work closely with Regulatory to ensure compliance in NA/EU and Asia.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor R&D metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives with the team.
• Must be self‑sufficient and able to work independently, as well as in team settings.
• Must be highly organized and have strong attention to detail in all aspects of their work.
• Passionate and enthusiastic for innovation and outside of the box thinking.
• Oversees lab maintenance of equipment, supply fulfillment and lab upkeep.
• Assists on scale up/manufacturing/production/piloting related issues and strategies.
• Closely monitors stability, compatibility, PET and all formula related testing.
• Work closely with cross‑functional teams including Quality,…