Head: Formulation & Quality Control (R&D Laboratory Lead) (Kathwada)

Head: Formulation & Quality Control (R&D Laboratory Lead) (Kathwada)

03 Aug
|
Five Fishers
|
Kathwada

03 Aug

Five Fishers

Kathwada

About ESTRIP Solution:

ESTRIP Solution is India's pioneering manufacturer of next-generation, ultra-concentrated, sheet-based household cleaning products. We are building a sustainable alternative to water-heavy, plastic-intensive liquid and powder formats that dominate the ₹25,000+ Crore Indian laundry and home-care market.

Role Overview

As Head of R&D; - Formulation & Quality Control, you will lead the R&D; – Formulation & QC of ESTRIP's research, development, and quality assurance infrastructure — from lab design to operational excellence.

You will have end-to-end accountability for R&D; strategy, formulation performance, quality compliance, and lab operational excellence, reporting directly to the Partner/Co-Founder.

Primary Responsibilities1. Formulation Development & Product Innovation

● Lead formulation development for ESTRIP's current portfolio: Laundry Detergent Sheets (Standard, Premium, Baby), Dishwashing Sheets, Floor Cleaner Sheets, and Stain Remover Spray

● Drive new product development (NPD) across new sheet-based categories: all-purpose cleaners, specialty detergents, and custom OEM formulations for brand partners

● Develop ultra-concentrated, high-performance formulations using surfactants, builders, multi-enzyme systems, polymers, specialty ingredients, and sustainable materials

● Lead formulation optimization focusing on: reduced plastic waste, lower environmental impact, superior cleaning efficiency, minimal residue, and enhanced consumer experience

● Implement ESTRIP's proprietary formulation cascade strategy: develop multi-concentration tiers (standard vs. premium vs. ultra-concentrated) for market positioning and competitive advantage

● Establish product benchmarking against market leaders on cleaning performance, stain removal, whiteness retention, fragrance longevity, residue control, and stability

2. Research & Development Strategy

● Build ESTRIP's long-term R&D; roadmap aligned with business growth, product expansion, and innovation objectives

● Identify emerging technologies, sustainable ingredients, and innovative cleaning solutions in global markets

● Drive continuous improvement in existing formulations — cost reduction, performance enhancement, sustainability gains

● Evaluate new raw materials, enzyme suppliers, and manufacturing technologies

● Support OEM and private-label product development for domestic and international brand partners

● Build proprietary formulation knowledge repository and technical documentation system

3. Greenfield Laboratory Setup & Infrastructure Development

● Lead complete design and setup of ESTRIP's R&D; and QC laboratory from concept to operational readiness.

● Design lab architecture, workflow, and infrastructure in compliance with Positive Laboratory Practices (GLP), BIS, ISO 9001:2015, safety standards, and environmental norms

● Manage end-to-end equipment procurement: HPLC, GC,



UV-Visible Spectrophotometer, Karl Fischer Titrator, Brookfield Viscometer, Tensiometer, Foam Testing Equipment, Stability Chambers, and analytical systems

● Establish equipment qualification processes (IQ, OQ, PQ) and maintain calibration schedules

● Set up laboratory management systems: chemical inventory, safety protocols, waste disposal, preventive maintenance, and documentation control

4. Manufacturing Scale-Up & Technical Transfer

● Lead technology transfer from lab-scale formulations to pilot and commercial manufacturing

● Work closely with Production and Manufacturing teams to troubleshoot scale-up challenges and optimize processes

● Resolve formulation and processing issues during commercialization — ensure consistency, quality, cost efficiency, and manufacturing feasibility

● Support production trials, validation batches, and line extension launches

5. Quality Control (QC) & Quality Assurance (QA)

● Establish comprehensive Quality Control framework: raw material testing, in-process QC (IPQC), finished goods testing, and product release standards

● Develop and maintain testing protocols, analytical methods, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Certificates of Analysis (CoA), and product specifications

● Establish enzyme testing protocols: activity measurement, stability assessment, and batch-to-batch consistency validation

● Lead investigation of product failures, batch deviations, and customer complaints — implement Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Corrective/Preventive Actions (CAPA)

● Ensure compliance with regulatory standards: ISO 9001:2015, GLP, Product Claim Substantiation (PIPT), Dermatological Testing, and regulatory documentation (MSDS, SDS)

● Maintain separate Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for B2B OEM and D2C tiers — ensure no cross-reporting of formulation concentration strategies.

6. Team Building & Leadership

● Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing R&D; and QC team: Formulation Chemists, Analytical Chemists, QC Analysts, Laboratory Technicians

● Define team structure, roles, responsibilities, and performance objectives

● Establish technical training programs, laboratory best practices, and a culture of scientific excellence

● Foster innovation mindset and experimentation-driven product development

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education:

● Master's degree (M.Sc.) or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Surface Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Technology, Biochemistry, or related scientific discipline





Experience:

● 10–15 years of hands-on experience in Research & Development, Product Formulation, Quality Control, and Laboratory Management

● Preferably within: detergent/laundry industry, FMCG/home care, specialty chemicals, industrial enzymes, or cleaning solutions

● Proven experience setting up an R&D;/QC laboratory from scratch (greenfield project) — design, equipment selection, qualification, and operational launch

● Demonstrated experience commercializing new products from laboratory development through pilot scale to full manufacturing scale

● Proven track record managing technical teams and leading cross-functional projects (R&D;, Production, Quality, Procurement)

● Experience in OEM and private-label product development for brand partners and contract manufacturing

Technical & Leadership Competencies

● Deep expertise in detergent chemistry: surfactants (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric), builders, enzymes, polymers, bleaching systems, and sustainable formulation approaches

● Hands-on formulation development experience: product optimization, stability testing, performance benchmarking, scale-up, and heat-stable formulation design

● Knowledge of enzyme integration, stabilization technologies (microencapsulation, solid salt forms), and enzyme activity testing

● Practical experience with laboratory instruments and analytical equipment (HPLC, GC, spectrophotometers, viscometers, and related analytical systems).

● Proven ability to establish and manage R&D;/QC laboratories: equipment selection, installation, validation, documentation, and compliance (GLP, ISO 9001)

● Knowledge of regulatory compliance: Product Claim Substantiation (PIPT), Dermatological Testing, CoA/SDS documentation, BIS standards

● Strong leadership and team-building skills: experience mentoring chemists and technical staff, fostering innovation culture

● Excellent project management: ability to lead concept-to-commercialization initiatives, manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholders

● Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset: RCA, CAPA, formulation troubleshooting, and process optimization

● Cost consciousness: experience in formulation cost reduction, supplier negotiation, and manufacturing process efficiency

Why Join ESTRIP Solution?

● Greenfield opportunity to build world-class R&D; from scratch — leave your mark on a scaling category pioneer

● Direct line to Founder — work with experienced leadership and have visibility into business strategy

● Dual business model exposure: manage both B2B OEM formulations AND D2C consumer product development

● Sustainability focus: work on products that reduce plastic waste, water consumption, and carbon emissions

● Competitive compensation + performance bonus.

Pay: ₹1,800,000.00 - ₹1,900,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Head: Formulation & Quality Control (R&D Laboratory Lead) (Kathwada)
🏢 Five Fishers
📍 Kathwada

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