Building on a strong legacy of almost 150 years, we are leading the way to reimagine and improve life every day. Today and for generations to come. Through our innovative and sustainable brands and technologies, across our teams around the world.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: Our portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
R&D Manager Hair Color India
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About this Position
The Asia Hair Color R&D team is dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality hair color solutions that enhance consumer confidence and beauty. Guided by our slogan, “Let’s Color the World Together,” we drive product innovation and technical excellence across the region. This role is responsible for leading end-to-end formulation development activities, ensuring that the current and future needs of business units are effectively translated into short-, medium-, and long-term technical programs. The position plays a key role in developing innovative, consumer-focused hair color products that meet performance, quality, and market requirements while supporting business growth objectives.
What you´ll do
- Lead and execute New Product Development (NPD) projects for the Hair Coloration portfolio, ensuring timely delivery, product quality, and successful commercialization, with a primary focus on the Indian market and consumer needs.
- Define technical timelines, conduct risk assessments, align with regional and global R&D teams, and drive cost-efficient product development locally and globally.
- Provide technical support for the Hair Coloration business portfolio, partnering with Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to address product-related queries, troubleshoot issues, and ensure consistent product performance and customer satisfaction.
- Ensure regulatory compliance by collaborating with regulatory teams on product notifications, registrations, and adherence to local and global regulations and industry standards.
- Support commercial and operational activities through technical claims substantiation, product demonstrations, content development, technical training for Sales, Supply Chain, and export markets, and technical guidance to local contract manufacturers to ensure quality and manufacturing excellence.
- Act as the key R&D liaison for India, serving as the single point of contact between the regional R&D organization and local stakeholders, including Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, and other cross-functional teams, to drive effective communication and business support across the Hair Coloration portfolio.
What makes you a good fit
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Biology, or a related scientific discipline is required. A Ph.D. is considered an advantage.
- Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in Research & Development, preferably within the hair color, personal care, cosmetics, consumer goods, or related industries, with hands-on experience in formulation development and product innovation.
- Strong understanding of product development processes, raw materials, regulatory requirements, quality standards, and commercialization activities.
- Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in additional languages will be considered an advantage, particularly in supporting regional and global collaboration.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional and multicultural teams, collaborating with R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Manufacturing stakeholders.
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Best-in-class Group Medical Insurance policy covering employee, spouse and up to 2 children
- Competitive accident and term life policies for up to 3 times annual gross salary
- Progressive OPD policy of INR 30,000 for employee, spouse and up to 2 children
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We look for a diverse team of individuals who possess different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and mindsets.
JOB ID: 26100637
Job Locations: India, Maharashtra, Navi Mumbai
Contact information for application-related questions: talent.acquisition@henkel.com
Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application
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About Henkel
FAQ
I am interested in several jobs. Can I apply for multiple positions at the same time?
Yes – simply fill out your profile in our online application system. Once your online profile is complete, you can apply for multiple positions.
The job offer is written in English – should I write my application in English as well?
Yes, please. As Henkel is an international company you will be working with colleagues from all over the world and English is our official company language. Generally, the ‘rule’ is: please write the application in the same language as the job ad.
Do I get feedback during the application process about the state of my application?
Each position that we have open with Henkel is unique, and finding the right candidate is important for both the hired candidate as well as for Henkel. We want to make sure that both the candidate and the company are a good fit for each other. We will provide feedback to the candidates throughout the entire process.
Can employees move between business areas and/or to a different country?
Yes, in fact it is an expectation within Henkel that our talent is flexible and mobile. This helps to support the company on a broad, global level.
Our “Triple Two” philosophy promotes this expectation, by allowing you to work in at least two different roles, in two different business areas and two different countries. The reason behind this philosophy is that we believe working in different roles, business units and functions is good for your personal development and improves your understanding of Henkel as a global company.
Here you will get further information on our training programs.
Whom do I contact if I have questions concerning my application?
Our recruiting team will help you with all requests regarding your application. Contact the team here.