Head of R&D

The role

The Head of R&D will lead technical and product innovation across the organization. This person will oversee a multidisciplinary team spanning formulation, product development, and manufacturing/process engineering.

What you will do

• Own technical strategy and decision-making across the full product development lifecycle
• Lead formulation development across soaps, deodorants, body care, hair care, skincare, and adjacent categories
• Evaluate ingredient systems, raw materials, and manufacturing processes
• Serve as the company's senior technical authority
• Translate complex scientific concepts into actionable recommendations for stakeholders
• Lead the innovation pipeline from concept through commercialization
• Partner cross-functionally to identify whitespace opportunities
• Lead technical relationships with contract manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and external development partners
• Oversee manufacturing scale-up and troubleshooting activities
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team spanning formulation, product development, and manufacturing/process engineering

Required qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive R&D leadership experience within personal care, beauty, or adjacent consumer products categories
• Deep hands-on formulation experience
• Proven experience scaling formulations through external manufacturing partners and co-manufacturers
• Demonstrated success leading and developing technical teams
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with executive, commercial, and technical stakeholders
• Experience operating effectively in high-growth, fast-paced environments
• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific discipline
• Willingness to relocate to or work in the Los Angeles area on a hybrid basis

Nice to have

• Advanced degree
• Experience within natural, naturally derived, or clean formulation systems
• Familiarity with standards such as ISO 16128
• Experience operating within a founder-led or entrepreneurial brand that later scaled within a larger enterprise environment
• OTC or sunscreen category experience
• Exposure to cost optimization and margin improvement initiatives
• Experience balancing innovation speed with technical rigor and operational scalability

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• 401k with Squatch match
• PTO
• healthy snacks
• frequent company events
• free products

About the company

Dr. Squatch is a high-growth personal care company that produces natural, high-performance products. They are a certified B Corp and have been recognized by Great Place to Work® multiple times.