Assistant Vice President, Head of Demi-Grand (Pre-Pilot Scale), L'Oreal Research & Innovation

Assistant Vice President, Head of Demi-Grand (Pre-Pilot Scale), L'Oreal Research & Innovation - Clark, New Jersey

Life is too short for a boring career, so build an extraordinary one with us. We believe your career should spark the same thrill and curiosity as your personal interests. Creativity drives everything we do, turning ideas into meaningful impact. With opportunities across brands, markets, and divisions, your growth knows no boundaries.

Who We Are

Join us at L’Oréal, the world's #1 beauty company present in over 150 markets. For over a century, we have been transforming; fueled by data, tech, innovation, and science. Together, we tackle big challenges while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.

At L’Oréal Research & Innovation we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 3,500 L'Oréal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people’s lives.

We are seeking an Assistant Vice President, Head of Demi-Grand (Pre-Pilot Scale)to join our Demi-Grand team in our state of the art Clark, New Jersey research facility, supporting our Analytical Innovation & Expertise Pillar. The Head of US R&I Demi Grand is a leadership role responsible for the end-to-end management of the Demi Grand manufacturing operations and laboratory logistics. This individual serves as the critical bridge between laboratory-scale innovation and industrial-scale manufacturing. The role requires a strategic leader who can oversee complex chemical manufacturing, ensure strict GMP and safety compliance, and lead a large, diverse team to optimize material flow and product development for US Research & Innovation.

A Day in the Life:

1. Operational Leadership & Scale-Up

• Direct all Demi Grand operations, including manufacturing, packaging, process development, and material storage.
• Lead the production and process development engineering teams to support R&I innovation, facilitating industrial scale-up and patent applications.
• Drive strategic planning and execution for the unit, aligning local activities with global directives to ensure international product availability and resource capacity.
• Oversee significant departmental budgets (Opex and CAPEX) for production equipment and asset investment.

2. Quality Assurance & Compliance

In partnership with the US R&I Quality Lead,

• Direct the implementation of quality compliance policies covering formula conception, risk analysis, stability, and laboratory operations.
• Oversee audit efforts (Quality, Safety, Finance) and lead investigations into quality incidents to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure full compliance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), OTC (Over-the-Counter) regulations, and FDA requirements for production and cleaning validations.

3. Logistics & Supply Chain Management

• Manage transformation and modernization of procurement, distribution, and logistical services for the campus.
• Optimize material storage and flow, including the management of chemical waste and lab logistics services (on-site/off-site).
• Foster partnerships across corporate entities to streamline material exchange and scale-up initiatives.

4. People & Culture Management

• Lead and mentor a large multi-disciplinary team (including internal employees and external contractors).
• Foster a high-achieving culture focused on empowerment, engagement, and well-being, consistently improving team engagement surveys and leadership scores.
• Champion a culture of safety and continuous improvement (Lean/5S) across all laboratory and manufacturing spaces.

5. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety & Quality: Achievement of zero-incident safety targets and successful audit results.
• Operational Efficiency: Improvement in output percentages and reduction in lead times for material availability.
• Innovation: Successful support of patent filings and contribution to laboratory development.

We Are Looking For:

• Education: A completed Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Engineering disciplines, or a related scientific/technical field is required
• Experience :
  • 10+ years of experience in a GMP manufacturing/operations environment, with a significant portion in a leadership role within R&I or Operations.
  • Experience in cosmetics, consumer goods, or related field is preferred
• Technical Skills:
  • Expertise in Industrial Scale-Up and Process Development.
  • Deep knowledge of Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), and FDA compliance.
  • Proficiency in SAP (Quality modules), Business Objects, and inventory management software.
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing methodologies and 5S.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and inspire large teams (40+ members) including internal and external employees
• Strategic Vision: Ability to improve output and reduce lead times through tactical goal setting and digitalization initiatives.
• The ability to wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• The ability to lift 25 lbs (11.3 kg) (required)
• The ability to be onsite, in the office at least 4 days a week, as this is an essential function of the position (required)
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis without the need for legal sponsorship now or in the future (required)

What’s In It For You

• A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you’ll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
• Real responsibility from day 1, there’s no sitting on the sidelines at L’Oréal
• An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
• A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal /environmental causes to make concrete difference
• Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Base Salary Range: $147,100 - $213,300 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 days in Office, up to 2 days Work From Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks ( VIP Access to L’Oréal’s Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Don’t meet every single requirement?At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We’re committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual’s gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.