Associate Manager, Research & Development - Personal Care

Lifestyle Brands (the LSB) is a growing house of like-minded brands under the SC Johnson umbrella including Method®, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day®, Babyganics® and Ecover®. Headquartered in San Francisco with additional operations in Chicago and throughout Europe, the LSB is home to 650 employees. Together we act as a force for bold, transformative growth with a focus on delivering positive impact for people and the planet. If you’re into pioneering the future and doing good while doing business, come join us.

The LSB is part of SC Johnson, a family-owned company and leading manufacturer of household cleaning, home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care products, as well as professional products. Originally founded in 1886 and headquartered in Wisconsin, U.S.A., SC Johnson and the Lifestyle Brands division are at work for a better world.

The Company's Total Rewards package is at or above industry levels. The expected base salary range for this position is between 112,320.00 USD - 147,420.00 USD. Job related skills, experience, education, and location will be considered in setting actual starting base salary. In addition to your base salary and depending on job level, eligibility, and performance, a total package may include profit sharing, a short-term incentive and/or long-term incentives. As a family company, benefits are a key piece of our Total Rewards package as well and we’re proud to provide a comprehensive, competitive, and differentiated benefits program that our people and their families value.

SC Johnson Lifestyle Brands (LSB) in San Francisco is home to some of the most innovative and purpose‑driven names in the industry, including Method®, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day®, babyganics®, and Ecover®. As part of SC Johnson, LSB blends creativity, sustainability, and cutting‑edge science to create products that genuinely improve life for people and the planet.

In this Associate Manager role, you’ll play a key part in shaping the future of sustainable personal care products. You’ll drive product development from the earliest ideas through full commercialization, applying your formulation expertise and hands‑on lab experience to bring high‑performing, cost‑effective products to market. You’ll collaborate closely with cross‑functional partners, serve as a trusted technical voice in team discussions, and help turn big ideas into meaningful consumer experiences.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast‑moving environment where experimentation, creative problem‑solving, and collaboration are essential. Success comes from combining technical rigor with curiosity, communication strength, and a passion for sustainable innovation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop new formulations and line extensions using green chemistry tools that meet our consumer and technical objectives.

• Conduct performance and stability studies to ensure products deliver on quality, on budget and on the product experience.

• Work with your manager and project teams to understand project criteria and build plans for developing new products, executing line extensions and enabling cost savings.

• Develop and support compelling, consumer-noticeable claims for our products, conduct competitive analysis studies and collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop label copy, graphics, usage instructions and claims substantiation.

• Develop test methodologies to support product development and quality assurance/control activities, assist QA team with physical standard production and maintenance

• Utilize SAP/PLM to manage product setup, product specifications, documentation and enable global collaboration

• Work independently in the lab and help maintain lab hygiene, lab safety, processes and documentation

• Work with suppliers to evaluate sustainable chemistries through testing and timely feedback, iterative material improvements and incorporation into products

• Continually assess and upgrade formulation capabilities, including technical knowledge base, test methods and formulation skills

• Stay abreast of new competitive launches, emerging trends and regularly survey the competitive landscape

• Communicate effectively in project settings and provide timely updates to team on progress, developments, risks and opportunities

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor���s degree with 5+ years of experience in formulation or product development, including at least 3+ years in the Personal Care industry or Advanced degree with 3+ years of relevant experience

• Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or f