Job Title: Head of Research and Formula Development

Date: 22 Sept 2026

Location:

Brighton, BNH, GB, BN1 4QA.

Full Time/Part Time: Full-Time

Contract Type: Regular/Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

The Body Shop

When Anita Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1976, she had a vision. Business as a force for good – that’s us. 50 years later, we’re proud to be pioneering cruelty-free beauty every step of the way. We’re the original ethical beauty brand. We’ve got a thing for empowering people and enriching our planet. We’re all about keeping it real, in every way possible. Our activist roots remain a huge part of everything we do, from our iconic window posters to our vegetarian products to our infamous campaigns. We’re never afraid to stand up and speak the truth. We like to do things a little differently around here.

The Body Shop is committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. We’re fighting for what we believe in now more than ever. No holding back. Breaking the mould has always come naturally to us, and we need someone who’s not afraid to mix things up.

Your role in a nutshell

We are looking for an experienced Head of Research and Formula Development to define and lead the formula strategy and the delivery of sustainable innovation across the product portfolio. This is a permanent role, working from our Brighton office 2 days per week, 3 days from home.

More about the role

Strategic Decision Making and Delivery:

Design and implement The Body Shop formulation strategy providing strategic insights, data and recommendations to senior leadership
Engage internal and external stakeholders to ensure delivery of the formula strategy
Lead the implementation of product sensoriality technical roadmap and capabilities (fragrance and texture) as brand differentiator
Lead design and implementation of formulation charters, policies, guidelines, contracts, SOPs, codes of practice

Ability to Innovate and Deliver Sustainable Innovation :

Identify and lead opportunities to deliver innovative and sustainable formulas fuelling our profitability with a consumer-focused lens
To champion sustainable formulation design and innovation including anticipating compliance with upcoming regulations
Provide expertise on sustainable formula to deliver over and above our sustainability commitments
Define and lead implementation of innovation with Product Marketing ensuring the integration of R&I scientific claims storytelling and technical expertise for TBS products
Identify and support the selection of best innovation partners
Deliver and manage new product launches effectively respecting time and cost target whilst prioritising and optimising resources

Scientific/Technical Excellence:

Maximise perceived performance of NPD & Core portfolio including upcoming compliance/regulation
Foster strategic relationships with external labs to build robust clinical and efficacious product claims
Build a culture of innovation and scientific excellence, developing expertise, new technical know-how and methods

External / Internal Relations:

Develop and nurture our network of external relationships to maximise The Body Shop access to sustainable formula innovation to capitialise research capabilities and technical expertise
Develop and execute internal engagement with internal stakeholders

Team management:

Develop and manage formula team and broader cross functional network in execution of the strategy

What we look for

Skills:

•Senior R&D management experience across the strategic technical contributions of function such as formulation, evaluation, active ingredients, sensoriality, fragrance etc

•Proven record to deliver sustainable innovation within a cosmetic retail environment

•Ability to manage large portfolio of complex projects in a face-paced and dynamic environment

•Strong people person: approachable, clear communicator to explain complex technical and scientific concepts to non-scientific audiences

•Efficient internal partnership skills and experience working cross functionally, aligning ambitions and executing goals

•Strategic with strong project management and delivery skills turning ideas into actions, able to prioritise

Competencies:

•Passion for driving forward innovation and sustainability"

•Highly organised and motivated. Adaptable and resilient, embracing change

•Business and commercial acumen including management of commodity supply chains

•Understanding of product innovation & sustainability future trends most pertinent to our business

•Communications of complex sustainability topics in written, oral & other media to varied audiences

•Strategic business transformation and team development

•Management of senior and executive level stakeholders

Experience:

•Educated to a degree level in chemistry / cosmetic science or related discipline

•Ideally a member of a recognised cosmetic science body such as the Society of Cosmetic Scientists (SCS)

•Experienced manager of R&I / formulation teams

•Proven track record of delivering innovation within commercial retail environment

•Proven experience with ingredients and formula industrialisation

•Thorough understanding of cosmetic regulations

•Proven experience with scientific communication (oral and written)

•Technical expertise and understanding of formula sustainability

Tools and technology proficiency:

•Ability to navigate BOM softwares and databases such as Coptis, Optiva, Product Vision

•Understand of the emerging use of AI in data collection, target development and initiative management

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, here are just a few of the rewards that you can look forward to if you join us: a 6% non-contributory pension plan, 23 days holiday, 50% staff discount and access to product sample sales, access to Perks at Work, our online shopping channel with exclusive deals & discounts, as well as LOVE money to spend on your wellbeing and personal development.