Senior Cosmetic Chemist

KW Collective is a cosmetic chemistry R&D lab and beauty brand consultancy supporting brands from early product development through launch and growth. We’ve worked with more than 85 brands, from emerging independent founders to global category leaders.

Founded by cosmetic chemist and beauty brand strategist Kenna Whitnell, our work combines technical expertise with a practical understanding of building beauty businesses. Kenna brings more than a decade of industry experience, including building and selling her own skincare company. Her track record includes more than 100 formulations launched across skincare, wellness, and colour cosmetics, with products sold at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Target, and through major direct-to-consumer platforms.

Learn more at kennawhitnell.com

About KW Collective

KW Collective is a cosmetic chemistry R&D lab and beauty brand consultancy supporting brands from early product development through launch and growth. We’ve worked with more than 85 brands, from emerging independent founders to global category leaders.

Founded by cosmetic chemist and beauty brand strategist Kenna Whitnell, our work combines technical expertise with a practical understanding of building beauty businesses. Kenna brings more than a decade of industry experience, including building and selling her own skincare company. Her track record includes more than 100 formulations launched across skincare, wellness, and colour cosmetics, with products sold at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Target, and through major direct-to-consumer platforms.

Learn more at kennawhitnell.com

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Cosmetic Chemist to lead formulation development and provide day-to-day technical direction to our Ontario lab team.

Reporting directly to Kenna, you’ll guide our on-site Lab Manager and two Laboratory Technicians remotely, with quarterly visits to the lab. You’ll translate product briefs into formula designs, direct bench work, review testing results, and support the transition from development to manufacturing.

This is an internal technical role focused on formulation and lab development, including developing formulas that meet applicable requirements for intended target markets. Client communication, formal regulatory review, label and claims review, and coordination of third-party testing are handled by other team members.

What You’ll Do

• Drive theoretical formula development and guide the lab team from the first bench batch through iteration and approval.
• Set stability and compatibility testing procedures, review results, and make the call on next steps.
• Troubleshoot formulation and process challenges such as separation, viscosity and pH drift, colour and odour changes, and preservation failures.
• Develop and review manufacturing instructions, and support scale-up and technology transfer to contract manufacturers.
• Develop formulas within applicable ingredient restrictions, concentration limits, and technical requirements for intended target markets, working with the regulatory team as needed.
• Apply cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) principles to lab procedures, documentation, and manufacturing instructions.
• Oversee raw material sourcing, supplier sampling, and formula costing.
• Maintain clear SOPs, formula records, and technical documentation so the team works from one accurate standard.
• Be the team's go-to technical resource through written instructions and review of batch notes, testing data, and photos, clear enough to execute without guesswork

What You Bring

• An undergraduate degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or a related science, plus a specialized diploma or comparable training in cosmetic chemistry.
• 5+ years of hands‑on cosmetic formulation experience in industry.
• Proven formulation experience across emulsions, anhydrous systems, and surfactant systems.
• Deep working knowledge of stability testing, preservation systems, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with cosmetic GMP principles, including ISO 22716.
• Experience formulating within applicable ingredient restrictions and concentration limits for intended target markets.
• Experience writing manufacturing instructions and supporting scale-up to production.
• Precise written communication. You can direct bench work remotely through clear procedures and close review of data, photos, and batch notes.
• Based in Canada outside Quebec (Ontario preferred) and legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Able to travel to our Ontario lab quarterly.

Nice to Have

• Colour cosmetics formulation experience
• SPF and OTC drug product experienceNatural Health Product (NHP) experience
• Experience with biotech actives, encapsulation, or advanced delivery systems

The Details

• Salary Range: $76,000 - $80,000 per year based on experience
• Schedule: Full-time, core hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
• Location: Remote, anywhere in Canada outside Quebec (Ontario preferred)
• Lab visits: Quarterly, in person, at our Ontario lab
• Travel: Covered for all lab visits
• Reports to: Kenna Whitnell, Founder
• Vacation: 2 weeks paid
• Probation: 3 months
• Start date: As soon as possible

KW Collective welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available on request at every stage of the selection process.