Research & Development Assistant

R&D Assistant

Department: Innovation & Product Integrity
Reports To: Manager, PD
Status: Full Time
Location: Romeoville Onsite
Work Schedule: M-F, 8-5
Last date revised: 10/15/2025

We are a rapidly growing company named Fast Company’s #2 Most Innovative Beauty Company for 2023. Our mission is to enhance lives through healthy skin, partnering with beauty brands to develop and manufacture products that promote skin health for all. We believe the future of sun care is the future of beauty™.

As the R&D Assistant, you provide support to the R&D team by ensuring product development-related submissions, marketing sample programs and strategic sampling requests from Business Development are fulfilled, documented accurately, and delivered promptly. You work well independently as well as in a team environment. The position requires strong administrative, project management, and organizational skills.

• Sample Request
  • Ship samples within 3-4 business days of request or by requested ship date per Sample Request in Salesforce
  • Provide visibility into sample readiness and proactively communicate delays or issues to requester
  • Track all sample requests through Salesforce and Asana, ensuring timely delivery and accurate documentation of sample information for traceability
  • Prepare sample by filling, labeling, packaging and shipment for Business Development and R&D
  • Work with Shipping Department and external vendors, such as UPS Fed Ex to ensure timely delivery, if necessary
• White Label Sample Inventory Management
  • Organize, maintain and manage the Sample Room and Components Room (dedicated to Sample Program)
  • Remove expired samples and bulk from samples room
  • Replenish bulk by working with Chemists/Production Planner to obtain fresh bulk
  • Update Inventory on Salesforce
  • Inform supervisor when sample inventory is running low (e.g. filled samples is less than 25 units) and when labels and components need to be ordered/requested from the warehouse
  • Request sample components/packaging from warehouse
  • Supervise Solesence contract employees to fill and label products
• Create Avery labels for primary packaging to include production description, formula code and lot number if pre-printed labels are not available
  • Provide visibility into sample readiness and proactively communicate expected available date
• Lab Operations & Supplies
  • Maintain and replenish lab consumables and supplies (Bulk Jars, IPA Wipes, Pipettes, Gloves etc.).
  • Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure timely replenishment of lab supplies.
  • Organize and maintain R&D Lab D for efficiency and compliance.
  • Coordinate lab coat orders for R&D
• Lab Duties & Support
  • Assist chemists with general lab housekeeping by participating in Lab Duties Rotation
  • Assist in emptying Black and Green Crates and distribute to R&D team at Romeoville Head Quarter
• Timelines and Project Portfolios
  • Upload Timelines that are shared to the designated area (Salesforce/Inspire)
  • Generate project portfolios
• Component Coordination
  • Track all White Label bulk and ensure it is available for fill-weight verification testing on White Label projects
  • Upload all artwork to the Finished Good Engineering Item Master when they are signed
  • Create Finished Good BOMs and update accordingly
  • Track incoming sample components (e.g., packaging, mixing balls, pre-printed product labels, Avery labels) and ensure they are properly stored and documented

Ad‑hoc duties as appropriate

• Strong work ethic and positive, cooperative attitude toward coworkers, management, and Company employees
• Good command of the English language, along with strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to follow directions
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• At least basic proficiency in Microsoft software such as Word, Excel and Power Point
• Understanding basic laboratory practices and safety. Training will be provided
• Ability to manage inventory for product bulk, filled samples, component/packaging, and lab consumables

• Highly organized
• Hands‑on and willing to support both administrative and lab duties
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership
• Detail‑oriented,…