Dr. Bakht Ali
Valencia
Summary
Experienced innovation-driven formulation scientist and product development leader with over 10 years in the beauty and personal care industry. Adept at leading multifunctional teams, driving trend-aligned product innovation, managing complex development timelines, and coordinating with global vendors. Proven ability to develop and launch efficacious skincare, body care, and cosmetic products within regulatory frameworks (MoCRA, Prop 65, etc.) and on aggressive timelines. Brings strategic insight from ideation to commercialization, grounded in both scientific rigor and market trend fluency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Innovation Principal Scientist
CGUSA
Sun Valley
07.2022 - 02.2025
- Directed cross-functional R&D team to develop innovative, high-performing skincare lines (anti-wrinkle, instant hydration, brightening).
- Executed multimillion-dollar lyophilized product development with aggressive timeline and cross-department collaboration.
- Partnered with marketing and PD teams for formula briefing, concept validation, and competitive claims substantiation.
- Coordinated vendor communication for formulation revisions, costing, and batch testing.
- Ensured regulatory documentation for all formulations, including MoCRA, Prop 65, and export markets.
- Regularly presented innovation updates and feasibility analysis to executive leadership.
- Mentored team in reverse engineering and product stability troubleshooting.
Senior Scientist / Lead R&D
CGUSA
Sun Valley
07.2018 - 06.2022
- Spearheaded novel formulations across emulsions, gels, shampoos, conditioners, and OTC products.
- Managed timelines and priorities for 6 direct reports while aligning with marketing and manufacturing.
- Collaborated with suppliers to evaluate raw materials and ensure formula scalability.
- Conducted competitive analysis and new ingredient scouting to drive innovation funnel.
- Reported weekly progress, risk assessments, and go/no-go recommendations.
Senior Formulation Chemist (R&D Group)
Bocchi Labs
Santa Clarita
05.2017 - 07.2018
- Led multiple skincare product development projects from concept to production.
- Sourced innovative ingredients and collaborated with regulatory for global compliance.
- Streamlined formulation testing and optimization phases.
Senior Chemist
Pharmavite LLC
San Fernando Valley
06.2009 - 04.2017
- Led method development and product stability testing for nutritional and topical products.
- Implemented NMR technology, improving testing capabilities and reducing costs.
- Partnered with QA and R&D on raw material evaluations and regulatory documentation.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemistry
Skills
- Formulation Development
- Innovation & Reverse Engineering
- Regulatory Compliance
- Vendor Management
- Global Sourcing
- Trend Spotting
- Product Ideation
- Project Management
- Timeline Management
- Technical Leadership
- Team Building
- Costing
- COG Estimation
- Raw Material Expertise
Additional Experiences
- Classic Cosmetics – Research Scientist (Color & Personal Care)
- Basic Solutions – Senior Research Scientist (Household & Personal Care)
- Raani Corporation / BioCare Lab – Senior Formulation Chemist & Plant Manager (OTC, Haircare, Skincare)
Timeline
Senior Innovation Principal Scientist
CGUSA
07.2022 - 02.2025
Senior Scientist / Lead R&D
CGUSA
07.2018 - 06.2022
Senior Formulation Chemist (R&D Group)
Bocchi Labs
05.2017 - 07.2018
Senior Chemist
Pharmavite LLC
06.2009 - 04.2017
Ph.D. - Chemistry
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