Bulk Material Supervisor | Bentley Labs

The Bulk Material Supervisor oversees laboratory quality control activities related to the sampling, testing, evaluation, and release of bulk cosmetic, personal care, and OTC drug products throughout the manufacturing process.

This position is responsible for ensuring that manufactured bulk products meet approved specifications, quality standards, and regulatory requirements before progressing to filling and packaging operations. Key responsibilities include internal laboratory testing, bulk sample control, shade matching, analytical review, and coordination of timely bulk material disposition.

The Supervisor works closely with Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, Compounding, Research and Development, and Production to identify and resolve product quality concerns, maintain manufacturing efficiency, and ensure consistent product quality in a fast-paced contract manufacturing environment.

• Lead all laboratory testing and quality evaluation of bulk cosmetic, personal care, and OTC products, ensuring compliance with approved specifications through analytical, physical, visual, and sensory testing methods.
• Oversee routine laboratory activities, including assessment of appearance, colour, odour, pH, viscosity, specific gravity, shade matching, and other critical quality attributes to ensure product consistency and customer requirements are met.
• Review and approve test results, identify and escalate out-of-specification (OOS) findings, and coordinate investigations, additional testing, and corrective actions to resolve quality concerns.

Bulk Sample Management & Product Release

• Manage the collection, labelling, storage, retention, traceability, and control of bulk product samples, ensuring representative sampling and compliance with storage requirements.
• Prioritise laboratory testing activities in line with manufacturing and filling schedules, supporting efficient operations and timely product release.
• Review laboratory records, testing documentation, sample logs, and batch-related quality data to support accurate product disposition and ensure bulk products are only released following appropriate quality approval.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Systems

• Ensure laboratory operations comply with FDA regulations, GMP requirements, customer specifications, internal procedures, 21 CFR Parts 210/211, and ISO 22716 standards where applicable.
• Lead and support investigations into deviations, OOS results, batch discrepancies, and quality concerns, driving root cause analysis, CAPA implementation, and continuous improvement activities.
• Support internal and external audits, regulatory inspections, and the ongoing development and maintenance of testing methods, specifications, SOPs, and laboratory documentation systems.

Laboratory Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Provide leadership, training, technical guidance, and performance oversight to laboratory personnel, promoting a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and data integrity.
• Establish testing priorities and monitor laboratory performance to ensure consistent execution of approved methods, efficient turnaround times, and on-time product release.
• Collaborate closely with Production, Compounding, R&D, and Quality teams to resolve technical and quality issues, support product evaluations, and drive continuous operational improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Science, or a related scientific discipline.
• 3-5 years' experience in quality control within cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, or OTC manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on experience with physical, analytical, and visual product testing, including colour evaluation and shade matching.
• Strong knowledge of GMPs, FDA regulations, laboratory documentation, product specifications, sample traceability, and batch release processes.
• Proven ability to investigate quality issues, interpret test results, implement corrective actions, and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Strong organisational, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience with colour cosmetics, skincare, haircare, or OTC products.
• Previous laboratory supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Experience supporting audits, deviations, CAPA activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with LIMS, ERP systems, and electronic laboratory documentation.