senior formulation chemist.

Joining a collaborative team of seven experienced chemists, you will act as a senior technical authority within the lab. This position offers a high level of autonomy, allowing you to focus entirely on technical excellence and strategic relationship management. You will take full ownership of high-priority projects and act as the primary technical face for our most established brand partners, driving innovation from concept to shelf with a high degree of independence.

Hours:Full-time, Monday – Friday
Shift:6:30am – 3:00pm (Beat the Auckland traffic!)
Location:Mt Wellington, Auckland

Skills & Experience
This role is designed for a seasoned expert who thrives on technical complexity and enjoys the freedom to manage their own customer relationships. You will spend a significant portion of your time qualifying complex briefs and managing the expectations of New Zealand’s top cosmetic brands. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for the following areas:

• Developing and optimising highly complex formulations that are commercially viable and technically robust
• Building and maintaining deep relationships with both new and existing customers to ensure their requirements are fully understood
• Navigating complex customer briefs and managing expectations regarding scope, technical limitations, and timelines
• Acting as a technical mentor within the team to build collective capability and support a culture of innovation
• Monitoring emerging market trends and innovative ingredients to keep Shieling at the forefront of the industry
• Ensuring all high-risk formulations and manufacturing instructions meet strict cGMP and quality standards
• Managing multiple advanced projects simultaneously using internal systems such as Monday.com and Netsuite

About You
The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional who can discuss technical information with confidence and handle complex commercial conversations. You will ideally have:

• A degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
• A minimum of 8 years of proven cosmetic formulation experience
• Advanced expertise in creating and working with highly complex cosmetic formulations
• Proven experience in building and maintaining strong relationships with both new and existing customers
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to manage customer expectations throughout the entire development cycle
• A sharp eye for detail and the ability to find practical solutions to challenging formulation briefs
• The ability to manage multiple high-priority projects using internal systems such as Monday.com and Netsuite

Benefits
We are committed to supporting our team members both professionally and personally. By joining Shieling Laboratories through Randstad, you will receive:

• Funded health insurance through the Southern Cross Wellbeing 2 plan
• Participation in the company's annual Xmas bonus scheme
• Access to an active social club and a positive, supportive work environment
• An early 3:00 pm finish every day to enjoy your afternoons
• The opportunity to work at the leading edge of New Zealand’s cosmetic innovation pipeline

About the Company & Culture
Since 1978, Shieling Laboratories has been more than a contract manufacturer. They have been a partner in brand building, helping businesses take their products from concept to shelf with technical expertise and scalable manufacturing. Their focus remains on commercial viability, product excellence, and long-term success.

The culture at Shieling is defined by being Guardians of Premium and Growing Together. The team acts consciously to lead the way and leave the world a better place through sustainable manufacturing. If you are an experienced professional who wants to lead the technical direction of a world-class facility, we would love to hear from you.

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.