R&D & Regulatory Affairs Manager

Job PurposeLead the development, technical delivery and regulatory readiness of safe, stable, effective and commercially viable cosmetic products. The role owns formulation development, innovation, product registration, regulatory intelligence and Halal and COSMOS compliance and audit coordination, and ensures successful transfer of approved formulations from laboratory to commercial manufacturing. It also provides formulation, safety, claims and regulatory expertise during product complaints and post-market reviews.Key Responsibilities1. Product formulation, innovation and portfolio deliveryDevelop and modify cosmetic formulations in line with approved briefs, brand positioning, consumer needs, cost targets and applicable market requirements.Manage the R&D pipeline from brief and feasibility through prototypes, testing, approval, scale-up and launch using defined stage gates and decision records.Apply expert knowledge of ingredients, preservation, compatibility, processing, sensory performance and foreseeable product risks.Lead reformulation, value engineering and continuous product improvement without compromising safety, quality, performance or registration status.2. Regulatory affairs, product registration, Halal and COSMOS complianceMonitor and interpret cosmetic regulations in the UAE, KSA and other target markets, translating changes into clear actions for R&D, Marketing, QA/QC and Supply Chain.Assess formulas, ingredients, labels, artwork and claims for regulatory and scientific acceptability before launch or change implementation.Own product registration dossiers, submissions, renewals, variations and closure of authority queries, maintaining a complete market-by-market compliance tracker. Own Halal and COSMOS certification compliance and audit coordination, including formula and ingredient eligibility, certification documentation, renewals, audit evidence and closure of assigned actions in collaboration with QA/QC.Ensure product claims are supported by suitable scientific, stability, safety or performance evidence and that regulatory files remain current throughout the product lifecycle.3. Product safety, stability and technical substantiationDefine stability, packaging compatibility, challenge/microbiological and other safety or efficacy testing plans appropriate to product and market risk.Review and interpret results, investigate adverse trends and recommend scientifically justified shelf life, storage conditions and specifications.Maintain complete development reports, technical rationales, testing protocols and evidence supporting product safety and claims.4. Raw material, packaging and technical qualificationDefine technical and functional requirements for new or changed ingredients and packaging, assessing formulation suitability, compatibility, sustainability and regulatory status.Partner with QA/QC and Procurement on supplier and material qualification; R&D owns fitness for formulation use while QA/QC owns quality approval and control.Maintain approved technical specifications and ensure changes are processed through formal change control before implementation.5. Scale-up, process design and manufacturing supportPlan and supervise pilot and commercial trials, translating laboratory formulas into robust and repeatable manufacturing processes.Define manufacturing instructions, critical process parameters, expected in-process controls and acceptance criteria, and complete formal handover to Production and QA/QC.Lead technical troubleshooting for formulation and process issues while preserving QA/QC independence over batch disposition and release.6. Technical documentation, IP and external projectsControl master formulas, specifications, development history, raw-material data, samples, test reports and product information files so records remain complete and traceable.Protect formulation know-how, confidential information and assigned intellectual property, including technical packages prepared for contract-manufacturing clients.Provide disciplined technical governance to external laboratories, consultants, contract clients and development partners, controlling agreed briefs, samples, changes and deliverables.7. Complaints and post-market technical supportAssess complaints and quality events for potential formulation, ingredient, safety, claims or regulatory implications and provide timely technical conclusions.Support QA/QC-led investigations, trend review and CAPA with formulation evidence; immediately escalate any potential consumer-safety or regulatory risk.Support recall or market-withdrawal assessments with product-risk and regulatory input when required.8. Project, laboratory and team leadershipManage concurrent NPD, reformulation and contract-manufacturing projects against timeline, scope, cost, MOQ, capacity and margin expectations.Ensure good laboratory practice, safe chemical handling, sample/retain management, equipment fitness, housekeeping, consumable control and appropriate use of external testing.Set clear objectives, allocate workload, review technical output, coach team members and build specialist and succession capability.Collaborate closely with Marketing, QA/QC, Production, Procurement, Packaging and Supply Chain while communicating technical trade-offs and risks clearly.Decision Rights and Key InterfacesRecommends formulation approval, shelf life, technical specifications, testing strategy and regulatory readiness.May stop or delay technical progression when safety, stability, regulatory or evidence requirements are not met.Does not independently release batches, approve quality concessions or override a QA/QC hold.Key interfaces: Marketing, QA/QC, Production, Procurement, Packaging, Supply Chain, authorities, external laboratories and contract-manufacturing clients.Qualifications and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Cosmetic Science, Chemistry, Pharmacy or a closely related discipline; postgraduate qualification is advantageous.Typically 7–10 years of relevant cosmetic or personal-care R&D experience, including formulation, scale-up and regulatory exposure, with at least 2–3 years leading people or major projects.Demonstrated experience with stability, compatibility, microbiological/challenge testing, technical dossiers, claims support and product registration in the UAE and/or KSA. Experience coordinating Halal and/or COSMOS compliance, certification or audits is strongly preferred. Strong project management, scientific writing, data interpretation, stakeholder management and commercial judgment.