Meraj Ahmed

About Meraj Ahmed

R&D professional with 4.6+ years of experience at Unilever in the Skin Cleansing category, specializing in liquid soap, syndet, and translucent bar formulations. Skilled in process optimization, scale-up execution, and product innovation, with extensive hands-on work in transforming lab formulations to pilot and commercial scale. Proven expertise in cost optimization, materials substitution, and process efficiency improvement to deliver robust, consumer-preferred products.Core CompetenciesSurfactant chemistry and formulation design Scale-up and pilot plant Operation soap & syndet bar finishing (PSM and DFA routes)Rheological and analytical testing (NIR, Rheometer, Auto Titrator)Product stability and shelf-life Testing process optimization and GMP Compliance innovation projects (5S methodology)Regulatory & safety compliance in cosmetics manufacturing.

Experience

1. Research and Development Officer

   Unilever

   Aug 2021 — Present · Mumbai, IN

   As a R&D Officer at Hindustan Unilever, the role encompasses end-to-end responsibilities in developing and optimizing soap bars and liquid soaps. This includes over four years of hands-on experience planning and executing pilot plant batches, conducting lab-scale prototyping, and ensuring in-process quality analysis throughout development and manufacturing stagesPilot Plant & Lab Prototyping: Planning, preparing, and executing pilot batches, refining process parameters, and documenting procedures for scale-up. Product Development: Driving formulation and process innovation for both soap bars and liquid soaps, translating ingredient science into market-ready products with desirable skin feel and consumer benefits.Quality Analysis: Conducting in-process and post-process quality testing of soap bars and liquid soaps to ensure all batches meet required critical quality attributes and regulatory standards.Soap Bar and Liquid Soap Formulation: Proficient in surfactant chemistry, understanding ingredient interactions for effective cleansing, lather, and skin benefits.Pilot Scale Manufacturing: Experience in bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and industrial production via meticulous pilot plant operations.Analytical & Problem-Solving: Routinely performing in-process testing, analyzing results, and troubleshooting formulation/process issues to ensure product consistency.Process Documentation: Maintaining comprehensive records for batch manufacturing and product testing, which supports both scale-up and regulatory compliance.

Education

• SIES College of Arts, Science & Commerce SION(W)

  Bsc, Chemistry

  2018 — 2021

• Matunga Premier School - India

  SSC, High School/Secondary Certificate Programs

  2010 — 2016

• Elphinstone College

  Maharashtra board of higher secondary education, Engineering Science

  2016 — 2018