At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development and client relationships while mentoring a team of chemists.
- Company: Join a growing manufacturer in the cosmetic and personal care industry, located in a beautiful part of the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hands-on role with opportunities for innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and commercial insight in a thriving market.
- Qualifications: Experience in formulation, client-facing roles, and a strong commercial mindset are essential.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about cosmetics and eager to make an impact in a collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a commercially astute senior development chemist within the cosmetic and personal care industry? Are you currently or wanting to lead your own small team of chemists and technicians? Still want to be hands on, innovating products and sharing your wealth of cosmetic chemistry knowledge, but have a flair for commercially focused customer contact? Want to be a part of a growing business in a beautiful part of the UK? This could be exactly what you are looking for.
An expanding manufacturer of cosmetic and personal care products has partnered with Woodstock Recruitment to help them hire a technical manager to their team. The successful applicant will hold several years as a senior formulator, likely have some team management responsibility and be looking for their next step, whilst retaining the desire to be a hands on chemist.
What you will do:
- Product Development
- Lead end-to-end formulation across skincare and personal care.
- Work quickly, iterate smartly.
- Make sure everything scales: you’ll work closely with production to get it right the first time.
- Stay sharp on trends, actives, and compliance.
- Client Relationships
- Be the go-to chemist in key meetings.
- Build strong relationships — clients should want to work with you again.
- Flag new opportunities. If you hear a need, pitch a solution.
- Support the sales team by giving them smart, technical ideas they can run with.
- Business Development
- Turn briefs into bigger briefs. Spot where you can add value.
- Help shape new concepts and drive the NPD pipeline from the lab side.
- Translate what’s happening in the market into things that can be commercialised.
- Stay close to top clients — the best development chemists are trusted partners, not order takers.
- Lab Leadership
- Set the bar high — on formulation quality, lab housekeeping, and pace of work.
- Mentor junior team members, show them how it’s done.
- Keep lab systems tight — keeping visibility across projects and priorities.
- Help build a lab that wins and keeps serious business.
What you will need:
- Real formulation expertise — ideally across skincare, hair, body, etc.
- Confidence in front of clients. You speak clearly and back yourself technically.
- A commercial mindset. Process discipline, but you’re not rigid. You know when to move fast.
- Strong attention to detail and a sense of pride in your work.
Bonus if you also have:
- Experience in a client-facing or commercially-focused chemist role.
- Existing client relationships.
- Knowledge of cosmetic compliance (UK, EU, global).
- A finger on the pulse of what’s hot — TikTok to trade shows.
Technical Manager employer: Woodstock Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Woodstock Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network within the cosmetic and personal care industry. Attend trade shows, workshops, and seminars to meet potential colleagues and clients. Building relationships can help you get noticed and may lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in cosmetic formulation and compliance. Follow industry publications and social media channels to understand what’s currently popular and how it can impact product development.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your leadership skills by mentoring others or leading projects in your current role. Highlight these experiences in conversations with potential employers to show that you’re ready for a managerial position.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully developed products and built client relationships. Being able to share your past successes will showcase your expertise and commercial mindset during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in cosmetic formulation and any team management roles you've held. Emphasise your hands-on approach and any successful product developments you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the cosmetic industry and your desire to lead a team. Mention specific examples of how you've built client relationships and contributed to business development in previous roles.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your formulation expertise and any knowledge of cosmetic compliance. Highlight your commercial mindset and ability to translate market trends into actionable product ideas.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your technical knowledge and how you can contribute to the company's growth. Prepare examples of past successes in product development and client engagement to demonstrate your fit for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Woodstock Recruitment Ltd
✨Showcase Your Formulation Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in product development, particularly in skincare and personal care. Highlight specific projects where you led formulation processes and how you ensured quality and compliance.
✨Demonstrate Client Relationship Skills
Think of examples where you've successfully built relationships with clients. Be ready to explain how you’ve turned client needs into actionable solutions and how you can support the sales team with technical insights.
✨Exhibit a Commercial Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you can add value to the business beyond just technical skills. Share instances where you identified opportunities for business development or contributed to the NPD pipeline.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Mentoring Abilities
Talk about your experience in leading teams and mentoring junior chemists. Provide examples of how you set high standards in the lab and fostered a collaborative environment that drives success.