R&D Process Development Manager (m/f/d)

Position Title: R&D Process Development Manager (m/f/d) Function: R & D Location: HE, DE Work Arrangement: On-site

ABOUT WELLA

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, comprising iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin, and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, the company operates in over 100 countries, enabling consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to stakeholders. For more information, visit

ABOUT R&D

Research & Development at Wella is a highly collaborative, competent, and innovative group. You will join diverse teams of passionate scientists, engineers, and hair & nail artists who innovate at the forefront of technology and beauty trends.

JOB DESCRIPTION

In this role you will lead the scalability qualification of Care and Styling making and filling operations at internal sites or TPM locations, as well as insourcing TPM production. You will also act as the first point of contact for RCA and derogation, supporting ongoing business once production is in‑sourced. The role is at the interface of R&D and Product Supply and is pivotal to ensuring robust innovation delivery, right‑first‑time start‑up, and ongoing quality.

ACCOUNTABILITY ASPECTS

Accountability: Project accountability to deliver the Care and Styling IMP at Wella plants and partner TPMs, ensuring relocations or in‑sourcing projects are executed to maintain R&D governance. Champions new ideas, recognises, owns, and proposes solutions for complex issues. Briefs management on project developments and recommends choices. Responsibility: Project execution responsibility to deliver process development scope for Care and Styling IMP and technical projects on time and on quality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead the scale‑up qualification work to execute IMP and supply network design relocation qualifications for care and styling products, overseeing the qualification of making and filling operations to alternative internal sites or TPM locations. Lead the technical learning plan for insourcing of TPM making and filling, applying technical rigor to ensure execution with excellence. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams in R&D and Supply Chain to ensure successful project execution. Monitor and report on project progress to key stakeholders, ensuring timelines and budgets are met. Identify and mitigate risks associated with plant scale‑up, relocation and insourcing projects.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Strong project management skills with the ability to lead and influence cross‑functional teams. Ability to work independently, managing multiple projects simultaneously while being responsive to changing priorities. Adaptable and able to learn new systems and processes quickly. Attention to detail, with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of the organization. Available to travel to qualify production in manufacturing sites around the world. Impact: These deliverables will enable the execution of the initiative master plan and ensure compliance across Care and Styling by guaranteeing that new launches or manufacturing (in‑sourcing) relocations are scaled and qualified robustly.

PROBLEM SOLVING ASPECTS

Breadth: Broad role requiring expert knowledge in Care and Styling products, chemistry, and process development, as well as collaboration across multiple interfaces within R&D and Supply Chain (internal and external). Complexity: Requires technical expert knowledge of the Care and Styling portfolio, making transformations, TPM landscape, and capabilities, along with strong communication and networking skills.

KNOW‑HOW ASPECTS

Leading: No direct reports are foreseen, though opportunities may arise in the future. Influencing: Very strong English skills, excellent communication, and a strong ability to influence as an expert when laying out options and providing recommendations. Uses appropriate assertive communication to drive alignment and deliver results.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Master’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent relevant experience in an industrial setting. Experience: 5+ years of experience in process development including formula industrialization and site relocation. Knowledge of validation and QA principles relating to scale‑up qualification and site making transfers. Proven experience scaling products from bench to production; experience in the beauty industry is an advantage.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT WELLA

A diverse and dynamic team passionate about haircare. A attractive salary package with a wide range of benefits. Free company parking and central location with good public transport connections. Promotion of personal potential and individual career paths. Support during the induction period and early‑stage responsibility. Flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home. A collegial working atmosphere within a caring corporate culture. Open communication and an international, diverse environment that values collaboration.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

We offer equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to ethnic origin, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Wella Company meets disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

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