Vi-Jon is one of the nation's oldest brand and private label Health and Beauty Care companies, serving retailers in all 50 states and Canada. For over 100 years, the Vi-Jon name has come to represent some of the highest standards in the manufacturing of quality products in the Health and Beauty Care industry. The Vi-Jon corporate headquarters are in St. Louis, Missouri, and we operate manufacturing and distribution centers in Missouri and Tennessee 24 hours a day.

Vi-Jon is a company of tradition and commitment to our associates and our customers, and our company culture reflects that. By joining Vi-Jon, you will become part of a team-oriented and entrepreneurial culture that allows associates to grow both personally and professionally. We recognize that a company is not a building, production line, equipment or products, but people. Our company is not made up of just people, but individuals who together make up a team - the Vi-Jon team.

Job Title: R&D Manager – Personal Care

Reporting to the VP, Research and Development, the Personal Care Formulation Manager is responsible for managing a team comprised of formulation chemists and technicians, as well as providing technical guidance in the form of professional development and career specific training and updates. Directly responsible for leading a team that does the complete formula development for new products and/or improvement and the optimization of the current product formula.

Please apply on our careers website at:  http://www.vijon.com/careers (reference R&D Manager job 2098)

Essential Functions

• Manage formulation chemists and technicians in development of new personal care products. Including but not limited to hand hygiene products, wound care products, skin care products, topical antiseptics, topical analgesics.

• Prioritized formulation in accordance with corporate goals, set milestones/critical path and ensures on-time project completion.

• Investigates new technologies for application in novel products and new categories.

• Creates reviews and approves technical documents to support developmental projects. (i.e., Technical Presentations, Technical Sell Sheets, Ingredient Statements, Manufacturing Formula Cards, Costs Formulas).

• Develops robust manufacturing processes for development projects in conjunction with Process Development Manager and Team. Including active participation in pilot plant/scale up activities.

• Develops specifications for new and/or reformulated product insuring quality.

• Provides technical assistance related to product formula to support departments as required (i.e., ATF, VOC data, consumer inquiry).

• Proficient in emulsion and suspension technology.

• Good working knowledge of personal care raw material functionality, interactions within formulation and use levels.

• Sources and approves new and/or alternate raw materials.

• Evaluates patents and drafts patent applications for unique formulation or ingredient application. Keeps informed on industry trends.

• Creates and updates R&D standard operating procedures.

• Exhibit team player qualities of cooperation and coordination; professional interaction in all business contacts, all day, every day

• Present for work when scheduled is a mandatory function.  Work hours may extend pass normal business hours based on the workload of the department.

• Strict compliance and enforcement of all company safety rules, procedures and guidelines.

• Ability to communicate clearly and simply both orally and in writing.

• Ability to work under pressure with multiple projects and changing priorities. 

• Completes all other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Education:  Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related Biological Science. Familiar with general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or government regulations preferred. Experience working with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical interference.  Proficient with MS Office products.  ERP experience preferred.

Experience: 7 – 10 years of formulation in personal care and/or pharmaceutical areas. Minimum of 3 years of supervisory/management experience. Expert of laboratory and cGMP practices and FDA/CFR guidelines. 

Physical Demands / Visual Acuity:   Dexterity sufficient to bend, stretch, walk, stand and perform repetitive motions; sitting for extended periods.  Close vision and ability to identify and distinguish colors required. Clarity vision at 20 inches or less.

Environmental/Atmospheric Conditions:  Exposure to normal lab environment, including some hazardous chemicals.  Will be exposed to ambient noise level in a manufacturing environment.

An essential element of the Vi-Jon culture is our commitment to diversity. Vi-Jon is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants, and make all employment decisions, without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to recruiting and retaining the best talent in the health and beauty care industry.

Are you ready to take the next step?  Please apply on our careers website at:

http://www.vijon.com/careers (reference R&D Manager job 2098)