R&D Technical Project Manager II

At Bath & Body Works, everyone belongs. We are committed to creating a culture of belonging focused on delivering exceptional fragrances and experiences to our customers. We focus on recruiting, retaining, and advancing top talent. In addition, we work to improve our communities and our planet to help the world live more fully.

The R&D team is seeking a R&D Technical Expert with a passion for innovation, sensorial creativity, and breakthrough product development. This role is ideal for a technically strong, conceptually imaginative professional who thrives at the intersection of science, creativity, and user-focused development. You will serve as a key contributor of new ideas, ingredient technologies, and product experiences that shape the future of personal care, beauty, and home fragrance.

• Explore and evaluate new ingredient technologies, processing methods, and formulation approaches that support near‑ and mid‑term innovation needs.
• Identify practical whitespace and consumer‑relevant opportunities with support from senior technical leaders.
• Contribute to technical trend reviews and help translate insights into product concepts and early direction.

• Conduct focused benchmarking to understand formulation structures, sensory cues, and performance expectations in the category.
• Evaluate benchmark products and prototypes with expert understanding of formulation architecture, sensory cues, stability, and performance.
• Attend industry conferences and trade shows, synthesize emerging innovations into concise summaries for the team

• Develop and refine formulations in collaboration with suppliers and contract manufacturers.
• Complete prototype evaluations, stability checks, basic risk identification, and iterative optimization supported by mentorship when necessary.
• Monitor submissions from suppliers and track project progress with precision and accountability.
• Detect early indicators of stability, compatibility, and performance risks; develop resolution paths and mobilize the right teams.
• Ensure alignment with internal functions (Regulatory, Safety, Legal, Packaging, Engineering, Fragrance Development) throughout development achievements.

• Act as a trusted technical voice for innovation initiatives.
• Serve as a technical thought‑partner for platform development, claims exploration, and new product pipelines.
• Build collaborative relationships across Supply Chain Operations, Merchandising, Enterprise Insights, Packaging, and external partners.
• Communicate complex scientific concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Provide technical input during brainstorming sessions and feasibility discussions, supporting senior innovators and project leads.
• Participate in key cross‑functional meetings, communicating technical updates, risks, and recommendations.

• 3+ years of experience in R&D, raw materials applications lab, or working in a technical sales/marketing liaison role.
• Experience in Personal Care, Skincare is strongly preferred.
• Strong project leadership with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive complex initiatives forward.
• Demonstrated expertise in formulation science, sensory evaluation, and technical problem‑solving.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, presentation), capable of articulating technical content with clarity and creative nuance.
• High creativity with the ability to work fluidly between scientific rigor and imaginative product storytelling.
• Proficiency in PowerPoint/Canva for technical storytelling and visualization of innovation concepts.
• Displays a sense of urgency and eagerness to take initiative; ability to adapt and accept change.

• BS/MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or a related scientific field, or equivalent experience.

• Lead with Curiosity & Humility
• Build High Performing Teams for Today & Tomorrow
• Influence & Inspire with Vision & Purpose
• Observe, Engage & Connect
• Strive to Achieve Operational Excellence
• Deliver Business Results

Bath & Body Works…