Modelling Manager (m/f/d) - Care & Styling Formulation - R&D

Modelling Manager (m/f/d) – Care & Styling Formulation – R&D

Location: Darmstadt, Hessen | Employment type: Permanent

About Wella

Wella Company is one of the world’s leading beauty companies, with iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally and a presence in over 100 countries, Wella empowers consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in hair and nail, Wella delivers sustainable growth to stakeholders.

About R&D

Research & Development in Wella is a highly collaborative group. You will join diverse teams of scientists, engineers and hair & nail artists who innovate at the forefront of technology and beauty trends. We deliver end‑to‑end innovation through an empowered learning culture, exploring, developing and qualifying innovations that delight consumers. We focus on safety, sustainability, quality and regulatory considerations.

THE ROLE

Innovation in care and styling formulation is a driving force in transforming how products are developed to meet consumer demands. We are seeking a visionary Modelling Manager to accelerate formulation qualification through AI tools, coding techniques and modelling methodologies.

Your Work Will Include

• Design and optimize formulations and lead technical testing (pH, rheology, stability, etc.) in the lab and in collaboration with sensory panel, PTL and analytical department.
• Develop and implement AI‑driven and coded modelling systems to enhance formulation qualification and optimisation processes.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to integrate advanced modelling techniques into the care and styling product development pipeline.
• Analyse and interpret complex datasets to inform formulation strategies and improve product performance.
• Lead innovation initiatives by identifying opportunities to leverage AI and modelling to address unmet needs.
• Provide technical leadership to the formulation team, driving skill development in AI, coding and data analytics.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets.
• Innovative mindset with a passion for leveraging technology to drive progress.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.
• Experience in lab operations (batch making, documentation, testing, evaluating, stability, rheology, etc.).
• Ability to handle multiple product streams in parallel, ensuring accurate record keeping and results reporting.
• High personal ownership and a hands‑on attitude towards practical work and project problems.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: Minimum Master’s degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering with a focus on Data Analytics, or related field.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in formulation development or related field.
• Demonstrated success in implementing AI‑driven solutions in the work environment.
• Experience managing projects and building technical capabilities is a plus.
• Affinity for beauty; experience in hair care and styling industry or related industries (e.g., FMCG or chemicals) is a plus.

IT Skills:

• MS Office, SAP R&D or similar R&D management system & formula repository.
• Strong background in coding languages such as Python or similar.
• Proven experience with AI technologies, machine‑learning algorithms and data modelling techniques.
• Expertise in chemical and physical modelling is required; experience applying it to care and styling formulations is a plus.

What You Can Expect At Wella

• A diverse and dynamic team passionate about Care and Styling.
• Attractive salary package with a wide range of benefits.
• Free company parking and central location with good public transport.
• Promotion of personal potential and individual career paths.
• Support during the induction period and early responsibility opportunities.
• Flexible working hours and remote work options.
• A collegial working atmosphere in an appreciative corporate culture.
• Open communication and an international, diverse environment where the focus is on “WE”.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We offer equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals without regard to ethnic origin, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Wella Company complies with disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

Industries

Personal Care Product Manufacturing