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 Good 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
