We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Research and Development Chemist to join the R&D/Quality team in Sharjah, with a strong background in Home Care and Personal Care product formulation and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing, testing, and improving products such as detergents, cleaning agents, cosmetics, toiletries, and personal hygiene products within the FMCG sector.
About This FMCG Formulation Role
Product Categories: Home Care (detergents, dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners, fabric conditioners, air fresheners, disinfectants) and Personal Care (shampoos, soaps, body wash, lotions, creams, hair care, oral care)
Core Focus: Formulation development, stability testing, and scale-up from lab to full production
Regulatory Scope: GHS, REACH, INCI listing, MSDS/SDS preparation, and local regulatory compliance
Quality Systems: ISO 9001 and ISO 22716 (GMP for cosmetics) compliance
🇦🇪 Why This Role in Sharjah, UAE Matters
Strategic Location: Sharjah — a growing FMCG and manufacturing hub within the UAE
Market Demand: High-demand position with over 100 applicants already, reflecting strong industry interest
Innovation Focus: Lead new product development (NPD) and competitor benchmarking initiatives
Career Growth: Build cross-functional experience with Marketing, Procurement, Production, and Regulatory Affairs teams
Position Overview
This Research and Development Chemist role in Sharjah involves developing, formulating, and optimizing Home Care and/or Personal Care products, conducting bench-scale trials and stability studies, performing physicochemical testing, evaluating raw materials, and scaling up formulations from lab to full production. You will also troubleshoot formulation and process issues, ensure regulatory compliance, and support cost optimization and new product development initiatives.
Why This Role Matters: As R&D Chemist in Sharjah’s FMCG sector, you directly shape the formulation of everyday home care and personal care products used by consumers across the region, apply hands-on laboratory and analytical skills to real product development challenges, work at the intersection of chemistry, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing scale-up, and build a strong technical career within a fast-growing FMCG market.
Key Responsibilities
Formulation Development & Optimization
- Develop, formulate, and optimize new products and improve existing formulations in Home Care (detergents, dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners, fabric conditioners, air fresheners, disinfectants) and/or Personal Care (shampoos, soaps, body wash, lotions, creams, hair care, oral care)
- Conduct bench-scale trials, stability studies (accelerated & real-time), and compatibility testing of raw materials and finished products
- Perform physicochemical testing (pH, viscosity, density, foam height, turbidity, color, odor) as per SOPs and quality standards
Raw Material Evaluation & Scale-Up
- Evaluate raw materials, surfactants, actives, fragrances, and packaging materials for suitability and cost-effectiveness
- Scale up formulations from lab to pilot to full production scale, coordinating with manufacturing/production teams
- Troubleshoot formulation, process, and quality issues arising during production or from customer/market feedback
Regulatory Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure all formulations comply with regulatory requirements (local regulatory bodies, GHS, REACH, INCI listing, MSDS/SDS preparation) and internal quality standards
- Maintain accurate documentation including formulation records, test reports, batch manufacturing records (BMR), and technical data sheets (TDS)
- Support internal and external audits (customer audits, certification bodies) as required
Cost Optimization & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Support cost optimization initiatives by identifying alternative raw materials or process improvements without compromising quality
- Conduct competitor benchmarking and market analysis to support new product development (NPD)
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Procurement, Production, and Regulatory Affairs to support product launches
- Assist in setting up and validating test methods and analytical procedures
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols, GMP, and quality management systems (ISO 9001/22716)
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
Experience Requirements
- 3–8 years of relevant experience as a Chemist/Formulation Chemist in the FMCG industry, with a strong focus on Home Care and/or Personal Care products
- Proven track record of successful product development and launch experience is preferred
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of surfactant chemistry, emulsions, formulation science, and raw material functionality
- Hands-on experience with laboratory instruments (viscometers, pH meters, spectrophotometers, stability chambers, etc.)
- Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to home & personal care products (GHS, REACH, local cosmetic/detergent regulations, INCI nomenclature)
- Understanding of manufacturing processes and scale-up procedures
- Knowledge of quality standards and certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 22716/GMP for cosmetics)
- Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word) for documentation and data analysis
About the Home & Personal Care FMCG Sector in Sharjah
Sharjah continues to grow as a key manufacturing and FMCG hub within the United Arab Emirates, home to companies producing detergents, cleaning agents, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products for regional and international markets. This Research and Development Chemist role offers the opportunity to work across the full formulation lifecycle — from bench-scale trials to full production scale-up — within a well-established quality and regulatory framework.
High-Demand Role: This position has already attracted over 100 applicants, reflecting strong market interest — qualified candidates are encouraged to apply promptly.
Who Should Apply?
- Formulation Chemists: With FMCG home care or personal care product development experience
- Cosmetic Science Graduates: Seeking hands-on R&D roles in a growing UAE market
- Chemical Engineers: With scale-up and manufacturing process experience
- Quality/Regulatory Professionals: Familiar with GHS, REACH, INCI, and ISO 22716 compliance
- NPD-Focused Candidates: Experienced in competitor benchmarking and new product launches
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