Manager- Hair Color Development

Job Title: Manager – Hair Color Development
Location: Mumbai
Department: Research & Development – Hair Care / Hair Color
Experience: 8–10 Years
Reporting To: Head – Hair Care Product Development

We are looking for an experienced Manager – Hair Color Development to lead the end-to-end development of hair color products from concept formulation to commercial launch. The role involves hair color formulation shade development raw material sourcing product testing scale-up technology transfer and team leadership.

1. Hair Color Formulation & Product Development

• Lead the development of permanent demi-permanent and semi-permanent hair color products including developers bleach/lighteners and color-care products.

• Develop formulations based on consumer insights marketing briefs and product requirements.

• Manage shade matching shade extensions color charts and swatch evaluation on hair tresses.

• Oversee stability compatibility performance and safety testing including gray coverage and fade resistance.

• Drive product scale-up technology transfer and commercial launches in coordination with manufacturing and third-party manufacturers.

• Troubleshoot formulation and production issues and implement cost optimization initiatives.

2. Raw Material Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Identify evaluate and qualify raw materials including dye intermediates couplers direct dyes alkalizers surfactants and conditioning agents.

• Coordinate with suppliers and procurement teams for sourcing cost negotiations and alternate-source development.

• Review technical documentation including CoA SDS and TDS and support supplier qualification and audits.

• Explore new ingredients and technologies for innovative hair color formulations including ammonia-free PPD-free and natural/henna-based solutions.

3. Team & Project Management

• Lead mentor and develop a team of chemists and technicians.

• Manage multiple development projects timelines budgets and stage-gate milestones.

• Collaborate with marketing procurement quality regulatory and manufacturing teams.

• Prepare technical presentations and communicate product development progress and recommendations to senior leadership.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry Cosmetic Science/Technology Chemical Engineering Pharmacy or a related discipline.

• 8–10 years of hands-on experience in hair color formulation and product development within FMCG personal care cosmetics or professional salon brands.

• Demonstrated experience in taking hair color products or shade ranges from concept to commercial launch.

• Strong knowledge of oxidative and non-oxidative hair dye chemistry color theory shade formulation and hair fiber science.

• Experience in raw material evaluation supplier management sourcing and cost optimization.

• At least 2–3 years of team leadership or cross-functional project leadership experience.

• Working knowledge of cosmetic regulations hair dye safety assessment and claims substantiation.

• Proficiency in MS Office especially PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with colorimeters/spectrophotometers is preferred.

Preferred Background: Candidates from hair color-focused organizations such as Godrej L’Oréal Kevin Care Hygienic Research and Yutika (formerly Pream Heena) or similar hair color and henna-based product companies.

Interested candidates may share their updated CV along with current CTC expected CTC and notice period.