Scientific Director

Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with our customers, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There’s much to learn and many to learn from, with more than 16,000 employees around the world to explore ideas and ambitions with.
In the USA, we develop, market and produce a wide array of solutions from our 25 most innovative sites, based across the country. Stretch your skills, create and get inspiration from passionate colleagues. Every day, your energy, your thirst for knowledge, and your creativity will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world. We are Givaudan. Human by nature.

As Scientific Director in Product Safety, you will lead the implementation of policies and procedures ensuring our innovative cosmetic ingredients and products are safe, compliant, and ready for market worldwide (Europe, China, USA, Asia, and Latin America).

Reporting to the Global Head of Product Safety Sciences, you will be based close to one of our Regulatory Affairs and Product Safety Offices (Ridgedale (NJ, USA), collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams, testing laboratories, consultants, and vendors to define and execute safety strategies that support our global Active Beauty business, a key growth pillar within Givaudan's Fragrance & Beauty division.

We create products that shape people's lives. With a legacy of innovation and creativity, Givaudan is committed to shaping the evolution of beauty and wellbeing. You will be working in a critical role, driving safety excellence and enabling sustainable business growth.

Main Responsibilities

• Serve as a global expert on cosmetic product safety, ensuring compliance and market access across Europe, USA, China, and Latin America.
• Demonstrate broad business thinking combined with excellence in safety assessment of cosmetic ingredients.
• Lead product safety reviews and risk assessments for new and existing ingredients and finished products during concept and adoption stages, ensuring compliance with international safety and legal requirements.
• Communicate risks and recommendations effectively in cross‑functional settings, influencing key decisions across R&D, Regulatory, S&T, Product Development, and Marketing.
• Monitor global safety and regulatory trends, translating emerging requirements into company policies and proactive strategies.
• Manage the Active Beauty ingredient safety testing program, including claim substantiation, lab/vendor oversight, KPI monitoring, and consultant management (cost, quality, turnaround time).
• Support investigation of in‑market issues through root cause analysis and implementation of corrective/preventive actions.
• Represent Givaudan externally in trade associations, contributing to industry discussions and sharing safety/regulatory intelligence internally.
• Partner with the Regulatory team to evaluate business impacts and support portfolio evolution globally.
• Lead cross‑functional initiatives to obtain toxicology or regulatory data, supporting registration and commercialization.

You – Your Profile Includes

• PhD required in Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10‑12 years of relevant industry experience in product safety or a relevant scientific area.
• Extensive and recognized technical expertise in safety assessment and registration program.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and toxicological principles across global markets.
• Experience managing external labs, consultants, or vendors.
• Advanced knowledge of database management and digital systems for safety documentation. Familiarity with digital fundamentals (AI, python, machine learning a plus).
• Fluent in English (spoken and written); French a strong plus.

What We Can Offer You

• Medical
• Vision
• High matching 401k plan

Work mode: working four days onsite and one from home each week.

Salary expectation : The established salary range for this position is 145,000 - 195,000 annually. Actual compensation will depend on individual qualifications.

Location: The position will be based in New Jersey, USA.

At Givaudan, you contribute to delightful taste and scent experiences that touch people’s lives.

You work within an inspiring teamwork culture – where you can thrive, collaborate and learn from other talented and passionate people across disciplines, regions and divisions.

Every essence of you enriches our world.

Diversity of perspectives fuels innovation and fosters deeper connections with our employees, customers, and partners. At Givaudan, we are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment where every individual’s voice is valued and has the power to shape our world. Join us in making a difference together.