Principal Chemist, Skincare Scientific Valorization, L'Oreal Research & Innovation - Clark, New Jersey, United States

Hello, we’re L’Oréal,

We're not just building brands, we're shaping how the world experiences beauty (and it takes a lot of cool jobs to do it). Intrigued? Keep reading, this might be the opportunity you've been searching for.

Who We Are: At L’Oréal Research & Innovation, we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 4,100 L'Oréal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people’s lives.

As a Principal Chemist in the Skincare Scientific Valorization Team, for supporting various elements of skincare product development from project initiation through market launch with a strategic focus on communication of scientific knowledge, selection of active ingredients, and coordination of innovative testing.  The role may involve people management. 

A Day in the Life:

• Global Strategy & Brand Focus: You begin by immersing yourself in the world of one of L'Oréal's international brands. Analyzing their portfolio, you identify key areas for scientific valorization, focusing on product renovation and innovative activations. Your strategic thinking helps shape the brand's direction, ensuring alignment with upcoming marketing campaigns and consumer needs.
• Bridging the Gap Between Science and Marketing: You facilitate a seamless flow of information between international R&I and Marketing teams. Acting as the key liaison, you clarify complex technical details, address questions about ongoing projects, and ensure everyone shares a unified vision for timelines and deliverables.
• Crafting the Scientific Narrative: A core aspect of your role involves developing comprehensive technical dossiers. Meticulously compiling test results, data analysis, and scientific interpretations, you ensure the information is both rigorous and readily understood by diverse audiences. Collaboration with Safety and Analytical teams is key, allowing you to refine the narrative and address any outstanding questions.
• Ensuring Product Efficacy: Working closely with the Clinical Evaluation team, you oversee the progress of clinical, instrumental, and consumer testing. Your meticulous attention to detail ensures that all testing activities remain aligned with project goals, timelines, and budget parameters, ultimately validating the product's efficacy and safety.
• Navigating the Global Regulatory Landscape: You collaborate with Product Safety, Regulatory, and Claims Substantiation teams to ensure that all product communications adhere to global regulatory standards. Your expertise in translating complex technical information into clear, concise, and compliant language is invaluable in navigating this complex landscape.
• Bringing Science to Life: You embrace the opportunity to showcase the science behind L'Oréal's innovative products. Developing engaging product demonstrations, you highlight key attributes and benefits in a compelling way, sparking excitement and understanding among consumers and stakeholders alike.
• Orchestrating Project Success: You skillfully manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, collaborating effectively with cross-functional R&I teams. Your proactive communication and relationship-building with local and international project teams ensure seamless progress and a shared sense of purpose.

We Are Looking For:

• Education: A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related science or engineering discipline is required. A Master's degree or Ph.D. is preferred.
• Experience: 10+ years of experience in the cosmetic/personal care or a related industry with a background in claims substantiation and scientific communication is required. Experience in skincare or suncare is a plus.
• Project Management & Organization: Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects concurrently, and effectively navigate a matrix organization.
• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent communication and presentation skills, including the ability to clearly articulate complex technical information to large groups of professionals.
• Global Collaboration & Communication: Experience working in international, multi-disciplinary environments with global teams, and excellent communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) for diverse audiences, both technical and non-technical.
• Strategic Thinking & Creativity: A strategic thinker with demonstrated ability to think "outside the box" and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• The ability to be onsite, in the office as this is an essential function of the position (required)
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future (required)

What’s In It For You:

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
• Real responsibility from day 1, there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal /environmental causes to make concrete difference
• Base Salary Range: $126,900 - $184,000 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Corporate Short-Term Incentives (Corporate Profit-Sharing Bonus, Individual Performance Bonuses based on level)
• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (Up to 2 Days per week work from home for eligible roles, subject to manager approval)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L’Oréal’s Internal Shop for Discounted Products)
• Learning & Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Don’t meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our Safe Together Plan: Your safety is our highest priority. We will proceed with caution and adhere to enhanced protection standards to ensure our sites are safe for all employees. We must all operate with the shared responsibility for each other’s health & safety in mind.