Senior R&D Chemist

Beauty Quest Group is a leading integrated manufacturer and marketer of hair care products from branded and private label hair care, color, and styling products to professional salons and specialty retailers.

BQG sells a wide range of hair care products under its own brands, Aquage, RUSK, and One ‘n Only, as well as Private Label brands for leading retailers. BQG also provides contract manufacturing services to other leading marketers of hair care and other topical products.

Our amazing team here at Beauty Quest Group is the driving force and foundation of the company. Our thriving culture is based on Creativity, Innovation, Education, and Teamwork.

Beauty Quest Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from headhunters, recruitment agencies, or fee-based recruitment services.

Your Role:

The Senior R&D Chemist leads the formulation, development, scale-up, and technical support of hair care products, with a primary focus on aerosol formats (dry shampoos, hairsprays, texture sprays, mousses, and aerosol treatments). This role owns projects from concept through commercialization, serves as a technical expert on aerosol systems and packaging components, and supports development across the broader hair care portfolio, including shampoos, conditioners, leave-ins, oils, and styling products. The Senior Chemist partners cross-functionally with Marketing, Regulatory, Quality, Procurement, and Operations, and mentors' junior chemists and lab technicians.

Responsibilities:

• Lead development and optimization of aerosol hair care formulations, including propellant selection (hydrocarbon, DME, compressed gas, HFO), solvent systems, film formers/resins, powders/starches, silicones, emulsifiers, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, and actives.
• Develop non-aerosol hair care products (cleansing, conditioning, leave-in, oils, styling) and apply knowledge of hair science, including cuticle/cortex damage, conditioning mechanisms, polymer deposition, hold, humidity resistance, and sensory performance.
• Own project timelines and deliverables from brief to launch; translate Marketing concepts and competitive benchmarks into technical targets, formulas, and cost-effective solutions.
• Design and lead experiments using DOE and structured problem-solving to meet performance, stability, safety, regulatory, and cost targets.
• Serve as the technical lead on aerosol packaging: evaluate and select cans, valves, actuators, dip tubes, and gaskets; lead compatibility, clogging, and spray performance investigations with suppliers.
• Conduct and interpret analytical and performance testing (viscosity, pH, density, particle size, spray pattern, delivery rate, can pressure, flammability, corrosion/compatibility, stability/aging, and salon/consumer performance testing).
• Ensure formulas meet regulatory requirements, including CARB/state VOC limits, FDA/MoCRA, EU/REACH restrictions, and customer-specific clean or restricted-substance standards; partner with Regulatory on claims and documentation.
• Prepare and approve technical documentation, including formulas, batch records, specifications, SDS inputs, test methods, and technical reports.
• Lead pilot and plant trials: write trial protocols, provide on-site technical support, troubleshoot line issues, and finalize scale-up parameters.
• Lead root-cause investigations for product/process nonconformances and customer complaints; implement and verify corrective and preventive actions.
• Partner with Procurement and suppliers to qualify new raw materials and components; lead cost-reduction and reformulation projects; manage change control and requalification.
• Mentor and train junior chemists and lab technicians; review experimental plans and data; help build and improve lab processes, standards, and best practices.
• Maintain safe laboratory practices, including handling of flammable propellants/solvents, pressure systems, and waste management; model and enforce safety culture.
• Drive the innovation pipeline by scouting technologies and raw materials, benchmarking competitive products, and proposing new concepts to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with all cGMPs, SOPs, and regulatory requirements, including FDA, OSHA, and company quality standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific field required; Master's or PhD preferred.
• 5+ years of cosmetic or personal care formulation experience, with at least 3 years in hair care.
• 3+ years of hands-on aerosol formulation experience strongly preferred.
• Broad knowledge of hair care product categories and ingredient technologies (surfactants, cationic conditioners, silicone and silicone alternatives, styling polymers, emulsions, oils, and powders).
• Strong working knowledge of aerosol components and spray behavior (valves, actuators, propellants, pressure relationships, and component/formula compatibility).
• Demonstrated experience taking products from concept through commercial launch, including scale-up and plant trials.
• Familiarity with CARB VOC regulations, MoCRA, and global regulatory restrictions for cosmetics.
• Proven ability to lead projects, manage multiple priorities, and communicate technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring or supervising lab staff preferred.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Work is primarily performed in a laboratory and office environment; regular time in pilot/production areas.
• Must be able to handle and dispense chemicals and aerosols, including flammable solvents/propellants, using required PPE.
• May require lifting/moving containers and samples up to 50 lbs.
• May require standing for extended periods during testing or plant trials.

At this time, we are unable to offer sponsorship to any visa holders.

This position is based on-site in Rantoul, IL.

Why Join Beauty Quest Group?

At Beauty Quest Group, we offer more than just a job — we provide a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support your well-being, both at work and at home.

What We Offer:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, and basic life & AD&D insurance for you and your family.
• Time Off: Enjoy up to 12 days of PTO annually, plus 11 paid holidays.
• Retirement & Savings : Access to a 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Additional Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
• Identity Protection.
• Services Legal Assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee Discoun t Program.
• Continuous skill building.

COMPENSATION:

The salary range for this role considers a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; and other business and organizational needs. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the expected annual salary for this role is $80,000 - $90,000 USD.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position may be designated as safety-sensitive and may require pre-employment and ongoing drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. This job description does not constitute an employment contract and may be modified to meet business needs.