Research & Development Assistant

R&D Assistant

Job Description

Department: Innovation & Product Integrity

Reports To: Manager, PD

Status: Full Time

Location: Romeoville, Illinois Onsite

Work Schedule: M-F, 8-5

Last date revised: 10/15/2025

ABOUT US: We are a rapidly growing company named Fast Company’s #2 Most Innovative Beauty Company for 2023. Our mission is to enhance lives through healthy skin, partnering with beauty brands to develop and manufacture products that promote skin health for all. We believe the future of sun care is the future of beauty™.

ABOUT THE POSITION: (why does job exist) As the R&D Assistant, you provide support to the R&D team by ensuring product development-related submissions, marketing sample programs and strategic sampling requests from Business Development are fulfilled, documented accurately, and delivered promptly. You work well independently as well as in a team environment. The position requires strong administrative, project management, and organizational skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sample Request
• Ship samples within 3-4 business days of request or by requested ship date per Sample Request in Salesforce
• Provide visibility into sample readiness and proactively communicate delays or issues to requester
• Track all sample requests through Salesforce and Asana, ensuring timely delivery and accurate documentation of sample information for traceability
• Prepare sample by filling, labeling, packaging and shipment for Business Development and R&D
• Work with Shipping Department and external vendors, such as UPS FedEx to ensure timely delivery, if necessary

• White Label Sample Inventory Management
• Organize, maintain and manage the Sample Room and Components Room (dedicated to Sample Program)
• Remove expired samples and bulk from samples room
• Replenish bulk by working with Chemists/Production Planner to obtain fresh bulk
• Update Inventory on Salesforce
• Inform supervisor when sample inventory is running low (e.g. filled samples is less than 25 units) and when labels and components need to be ordered/requested from the warehouse
• Request sample components/packaging from warehouse
• Supervise Solesence contract employees to fill and label products

• Create Avery labels for primary packaging to include production description, formula code and lot number if pre-printed labels are not available
• Provide visibility into sample readiness and proactively communicate expected available date

• Lab Operations & Supplies
• Maintain and replenish lab consumables and supplies (Bulk Jars, IPA Wipes, Pipettes, Gloves etc.).
• Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure timely replenishment of lab supplies.
• Organize and maintain R&D Lab D for efficiency and compliance.
• Coordinate lab coat orders for R&D
• Lab Duties & Support
• Assist chemists with general lab housekeeping by participating in Lab Duties Rotation
• Assist in emptying Black and Green Crates and distribute to R&D team at Romeoville Head Quarter
• Timelines and Project Portfolios
• Upload Timelines that are shared to the designated area (Salesforce/Inspire)
• Generate project portfolios
• Component Coordination
• Track all White Label bulk and ensure it is available for fill-weight verification testing on White Label projects
• Upload all artwork to the Finished Good Engineering Item Master when they are signed
• Create Finished Good BOMs and update accordingly
• Track incoming sample components (e.g., packaging, mixing balls, pre-printed product labels, Avery labels) and ensure they are properly stored and documented
  

Ad-hoc duties as appropriate

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Strong work ethic and positive, cooperative attitude toward coworkers, management, and Company employees
• Good command of the English language, along with strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to follow directions
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• At least basic proficiency in Microsoft software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Understanding basic laboratory practices and safety. Training will be provided
• Ability to manage inventory for product bulk, filled samples, component/packaging, and lab consumables
  
  
  

KEY CHARACTER TRAITS:

• Highly organized
• Hands-on and willing to support both administrative and lab duties
• Strong sense of accountability and ownership
• Detail-oriented, especially in labeling, documentation, and inventory tracking
• Flexible, adaptable, and able to pivot quickly with Strategic and Marketing driven requests with sense of urgency
• Team player, but can also work independently
  
  
  

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of high school diploma, or GED equivalent
  
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position in a manufacturing setting:

• Frequent handling of lab samples, packaging components, and supplies (up to 20 lbs).
• Occasional lifting, labeling, or packaging of multiple sample units.
• Primarily sedentary work performed in an office environment, including extended periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Frequent walking and standing required when visiting production areas, attending meetings on the shop floor, or engaging with plant personnel
• Occasional exposure to manufacturing environments, which may include noise, dust, temperature variations, and the need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to lift and carry materials such as files, laptops, or presentation equipment weighing up to 20 pounds
• Visual and auditory acuity are necessary for reading reports, viewing computer screens, and communicating effectively in person and via digital platforms
• Manual dexterity for keyboarding, writing, and handling office tools and technology
• Occasional travel between manufacturing sites or to attend off-site meetings, trainings, or conferences
  
  
  

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

OBJECTIVE AND DELIVERABLES:

• Timely and accurate preparation of samples to support internal requests, trade events, and the WL sample program
• Manages WL sampling program by tracking and maintaining inventory
• Engage potential brand partners and maintain existing brand partner satisfaction and by delivering samples on a timely manner
• Oversees lab supply replenishment, ensuring consumables and materials are stocked and organized to support smooth daily operations
  
  
  

Solésence Beauty Science is an Equal Employment Opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986, employers must verify both the identity and employment authorization of every employee. Therefore, employees and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship. While our current hiring plans do not include sponsorship, we remain open to evaluating individual circumstances based on company needs and future opportunities.