R&D Associate

About the Company

We are Reckitt — home to the world's best loved and trusted hygiene, health, and nutrition brands. Our purpose defines why we exist: to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We are a global team united by this purpose.

In Research and Development, we're full of highly skilled talents that include Scientists, Engineers, Medical, Clinical and Regulatory professionals — all working to create a cleaner, healthier world. With nine Centres of Excellence, we continually seek out new opportunities by using science, our entrepreneurial flare and our fearless innovation to develop and enhance our existing portfolio, never compromising on quality or performance.

About the Role

This role is responsible for hands-on product development across one or more platforms within the Intimate Wellness R&D portfolio. It involves actively contributing to the creation of consumer-preferred products, starting from concept ideation through to full-scale production and market launch.

As a technical project lead for R&D innovation initiatives, the position includes planning, managing, and executing project or functional activities. It requires solving technical challenges, making informed recommendations, and implementing solutions to ensure project milestones are achieved. The role may also include laboratory-based work.

A strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of relevant technologies — such as formulation and/or process development — is essential, along with a solid understanding of applicable regulations and legislation. This role may include line management responsibilities, such as supervising an R&D assistant.

Responsibilities

• Ensure technical aspects of the assigned projects are carried out as per the agreed timings and standards, with any issues or risks clearly highlighted to line manager in a timely manner.
• Coordination of factory/Co-Packer line trials, subsequent R&D qualification testing and validation prior to launch.
• Preparing lab samples for testing.
• Organising and completing product stability studies.
• Evaluating new raw materials.
• Co-ordinating raw material and supplier information.
• Ensuring adequate supply of materials to keep in timelines for development activities.
• Manage release of samples for consumer and clinical tests.
• Keeping accurate records and communicating results.
• Assisting in developing prototype formulations / products.
• Supporting pilot scale-up and attending industrial trial manufacturing.
• Assisting in developing new concepts and claims to contribute to the respective pipeline.
• Contributing to team and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders including Regulatory, Clinical, Medical, Packaging and SSG.
• Prepare relevant product specifications and internal documentation and ensure approved prior to full production start-up.
• Support idea/concept generation where appropriate.
• Responsible for the compilation, approval and circulation of technical reports throughout the product development process.
• Ensure all assigned development activity conforms to legislative, health & safety and environmental requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a relevant scientific discipline, such as Chemical Engineering, Sciences, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical sciences, Cosmetic formulation.
• Relevant experience at least 2-5 years with product development within FMCG or Chemical environment. Medical device experience is an advantage.
• Pilot plant / Industrialisation experience is an advantage.

Skills

• Excellent presentation, project management and influencing skills.
• Results oriented, with good time management and good organisational skills. A self-starter.
• Working in large international corporation and complex matrix organizations.
• Openness to change and ability to think out of the box.
• Able to communicate effectively and work under time pressure.
• Entrepreneurial with an affinity for problem solving and innovation.
• A team player.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication skills, especially English.

What We Offer

With inclusion at the heart of everything we do, working alongside our four global Employee Resource Groups, we support our people at every step of their career journey, helping them to succeed in their own individual way.

We invest in the wellbeing of our people through parental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program to promote mental health, and life insurance for all employees globally. We have a range of other benefits in line with the local market. Through our global share plans we offer the opportunity to save and share in Reckitt's potential future successes. For eligible roles, we also offer short-term incentives to recognise, appreciate and reward your work for delivering outstanding results. You will be rewarded in line with Reckitt's pay for performance philosophy.