Research And Development Manager

About Us:

Traya is an Indian direct-to-consumer hair care platform offering diagnosis-led solutions for hair loss. We provide personalized consultations, science-backed treatments, and a strong adherence system that helps customers achieve long-term hair health outcomes.

About the Role:

Manager/Assistant Manager – R&D (Product Innovation)

lab work, stability studies, ingredient research, packaging evaluations

Key Responsibilities

1. Formulation Development & Lab Work

• Develop, optimize, and modify formulations for hair care products under senior guidance.
• Conduct lab-scale trials, batching, sample creation, and maintain detailed trial documentation.
• Evaluate new ingredients, surfactants, bioactives, and excipients for efficacy, compatibility, and sensorial properties.
• Manage stability study samples and prepare stability reports with observations.

2. Research & Ground-Level Study

• Conduct ingredient research, benchmark studies, competitor product analysis, and efficacy comparisons.
• Support claim substantiation through literature reviews and vendor technical sheets.
• Maintain R&D logs, formulation sheets, and internal documentation.

3. Testing & Validation

• Execute physical, chemical, and stability testing across various conditions.
• Coordinate microbiology, dermatology, and safety testing with external labs.
• Assist in clinical/effectiveness studies and prepare test reports.

4. Packaging Development & Compatibility

• Support packaging selection based on formulation needs, compatibility, product viscosity, and stability requirements.
• Work with packaging vendors for samples, specifications, and technical evaluations.
• Coordinate packaging compatibility tests and document results.
• Collaborate with supply chain and design teams for final packaging specs.

5. Regulatory & Compliance Support

• Prepare and maintain regulatory documentation including ingredient lists, label claims, dossiers, COAs, MSDS, etc.
• Ensure compliance with

  FDA, FSSAI, BIS

  , and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Support audits, certifications, and documentation for product approvals.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution

• Work with manufacturing, QC, QA, and procurement teams during pilot batches and scale-up.
• Troubleshoot formulation and packaging issues during production.
• Coordinate vendor communications, sample submissions, and raw material evaluations.

Who You Are:

• Education:

  Bachelor’s/Master’s in Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or related fields.

• Experience:

  4+ years in personal care, cosmetics, FMCG, or pharma R&D with strong formulation execution experience.
• Hands-on with lab trials, batching, testing, and technical documentation.
• Understanding of packaging materials (plastics, tubes, pumps, bottles, droppers) and packaging–product compatibility.
• Familiarity with Indian regulatory requirements (FDA, FSSAI, BIS).
• High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in hair care or skin care formulations.
• Experience working with D2C brands or rapid innovation environments.
• Exposure to external labs, manufacturers, and packaging vendors.