New Product Development Specialist

Job location: MumbaiType: FulltimeWorking Structure: Hybrid (4 days in office + 1 day WFH)About Us: Join our dynamic and innovative startup skincare brand that is committed to redefining beauty standards with clean, effective, and sustainable products. Founded by beauty influencer Diipa Büller-Khosla, the brand emphasizes authenticity, and transparency, offering vegan and cruelty-free products that cater to diverse skin types while celebrating cultural heritage. We believe in empowering our customers with science-backed skincare solutions, and we’re looking for a visual storyteller with a passion for creating captivating content to help us take our brand to the next level.Brand: https://india.indewild.com/Primary ObjectiveTo develop and optimize innovative, high-performance, IP-ownable cosmetic formulations that meet brand standards for sensorial experience, performance, safety, and efficacy — validated through clinical and consumer testing.Key DeliverablesFormulation DevelopmentCreate and optimize unique formulations aligned with brand positioning (clean, clinical, sustainable, high-performance, etc.).Develop bench samples with clear documentation of ingredient rationale, concentration ranges, and formulation stability parameters.Ensure formulas are IP-ownable, differentiated through actives, composition, or delivery systems.Provide alternative formulations or texture variants (e.g., cream vs gel, serum vs emulsion) to support sensory and performance preferences.Ingredient & Supplier StrategyIdentify and recommend best-in-class raw materials, actives, and functional ingredients from reputable global suppliers.Build a preferred supplier matrix with contacts, lead times, and MOQs to support seamless scale-up.Suggest innovative ingredients with proven clinical data and consumer resonance (trend-forward but scientifically backed).Evaluate ingredient synergies to enhance efficacy, bioavailability, or texture.Texture, Sensorial & Performance OptimizationDevelop texture prototypes tailored to brand sensorial goals (lightweight, rich, fast-absorbing, silicone-free slip, etc.).Lead sensory evaluation sessions internally to refine skin feel, spreadability, and absorption profile.Optimize formulas for stability, viscosity, and compatibility with selected packaging.Efficacy & Claims SupportDesign formulations with clear claim potential (hydration, barrier repair, oil control, radiance, anti-aging, etc.).Recommend active levels and combinations to achieve measurable outcomes in clinical or consumer studies.Support claims substantiation dossiers, providing scientific references, ingredient white papers, and formulation data.Factory Liaison & Scale-Up SupportPartner with manufacturing sites and contract labs to ensure lab-to-plant transfer is smooth.Review and validate batch records, pilot batch results, and stability testing at scale.Troubleshoot any scale-up deviations in texture, color, viscosity, or performance.Conduct or supervise pre-production trials (PPT) and final approval batches.Cross-Functional CollaborationWork closely with NPD, Brand, Packaging, and Regulatory teams to align formula design with product concept, claims, and compliance.Provide inputs for pack compatibility testing and sensory interaction with applicators (pumps, droppers, etc.).Support Regulatory documentation for PIF, INCI, safety assessments, and claims validation.Collaborate with Clinical Testing partners to define testing protocols, expected outcomes, and performance benchmarks.Documentation & ReportingMaintain comprehensive formulation records, batch sheets, and test reports.Deliver stability and compatibility reports at predefined checkpoints (1M, 3M, 6M, accelerated).Submit final formulation dossier including rationale, ingredient specs, safety data, supplier references, and recommended manufacturing SOPs.Provide formulation IP documentation highlighting novelty and distinctiveness for trademark/patent purposes.Innovation & Continuous ImprovementStay updated on market trends, new actives, and formulation technologies across relevant categories.Recommend next-gen actives or formats (e.g., biomimetic peptides, fermented extracts, encapsulated systems).Identify sustainability improvements — waterless formats, biodegradable bases, or circular ingredient sourcing.Roles & ResponsibilitiesConcept-to-Launch Ownership: Drive the end-to-end formulation process from ideation to first commercial batch sign-off.Technical Leadership: Provide scientific input and decision-making support on formulation strategy and raw material selection.Team Liaison: Act as the technical bridge between NPD and OEM factories to create technically viable formulas.Timeline Adherence: Develop and maintain a formulation Gantt chart or timeline — ensuring milestone completion (brief → prototype → pilot → validation → production). (2 months from date of starting the project the formulation should be locked in) Quality & Compliance: Ensure formulations meet UK/EU/US regulatory standards, including safety, labeling, and claim substantiation.All complainces for Clean @Sephora, non endocrine disrupting, vegan and high natural %, that are a part of the IW ethos for building products.Confidentiality & IP Ownership: All formulations, data, and supplier connections generated under this project remain intellectual property of the brand.Performance Metrics% of formulations meeting clinical efficacy benchmarks.Texture and sensorial satisfaction scores from consumer panel studies.Timeliness of sample and documentation delivery against NPD schedule.Number of unique IP-worthy formulations developed per category.Level of supplier innovation integration and scalability feasibility.What You GetJoin a fast growing D2C beauty brand where you will have a direct and measurable impact on our profitability and growth.Competitive salary and performance based incentives.Opportunity to build the retention function from the ground up and experiment with cutting edge marketing technologies.A collaborative and dynamic work environment and generous product allowances. Why Join Us?Own the short-form engine for a high-potential skincare brand.Creative, collaborative team with room to experiment and grow.Competitive salary.Access to new launches and industry insights. If this sounds like you – please share your updated resume on sidharth@indewild.com