Business Development Associate

Kuri Products is an innovation-driven cosmetic raw material supplier inspired by curiositas — the desire to know. We bring globally sourced, science-driven ingredient technologies to beauty brands, formulators, and manufacturers, helping enable innovation across skincare, haircare, and color cosmetics. As a growing startup built by industry experts, Kuri Products offers a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment where curiosity, initiative, and learning are highly valued. Position Overview Kuri Products is seeking a Business Development Associate to support a wide range of commercial, operational, and business growth initiatives. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys wearing multiple hats, working across different functions, and contributing to the growth of a startup. You will work closely under the Vice President, with frequent exposure to the CEO & Founder, and contribute across multiple areas of the business, including administrative, commercial, operational, marketing, and business development activities. This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from industry experts and gain hands-on experience in cosmetic science, raw materials, formulation, new product development, sales operations, and startup entrepreneurship. Key Responsibilities Business Development & Commercial Support Assist with business development initiatives including market research, supplier coordination, and partnership preparation Support commercial activities such as preparing product information, customer follow-ups, lead tracking, and CRM updates Assist with basic customer service communications, inquiries, and follow-ups Support customer calls, meetings, and visits when needed Assist with marketing activities including content preparation, outreach initiatives, and social media support Support trade show preparation, event coordination, and marketing materials Help coordinate product samples and marketing campaigns Technical & Product Support Support R&D and technical functions by helping gather raw material data and organize technical information Assist with preparing product information sheets and technical documentation Participate in training sessions and supplier presentations to build industry knowledge Operational & Administrative Support Assist with day-to-day operational activities including documentation, scheduling, and data organization Help prepare and ship product samples Maintain project documentation and internal records Assist with general office administrative work such as ordering supplies and coordinating logistics Quality & Compliance Support Participate in quality-related tasks such as document control, supplier information tracking, and compliance organization Startup & Cross-Functional Contributions Support coordination with external partners, consultants, and freelancers Help improve internal processes, SOPs, and operational efficiency Attend industry trainings, meetings, supplier presentations, and trade shows when needed Perform general cross-functional tasks to help the startup operate smoothly This role offers opportunities to learn and assist in additional areas such as product development, marketing, R&D, operations, quality, regulatory, and commercial strategy as the company grows. Qualifications Education Bachelor’s degree preferred in Science, Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Biology, Cosmetic Science, or related fields Experience Some experience or internship exposure in cosmetics, raw materials, chemicals, sales, marketing, or business operations preferred but not required No prior experience required but curiosity, passion, and willingness to learn are essential What We’re Looking For Strong interest in the cosmetic industry, formulation science, or new product development Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple tasks independently Proactive, reliable, and strong at following up without close supervision Comfortable navigating uncertainty and working with limited information or guidance Good written and verbal communication skills Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable in a startup environment Great personality, collaborative mindset, and eagerness to contribute Technical background or comfort with scientific concepts is a plus (but not required) Direct mentorship from industry experts High visibility and exposure to leadership and strategic decisions Hands-on experience across multiple business functions Opportunity to grow and evolve into various roles as the company expands Kuri Products is a small but growing startup where curiosity, initiative, and collaboration are highly valued. This role provides an opportunity to gain broad exposure to the cosmetic raw materials industry while learning directly from experienced professionals. You will have the chance to develop skills across business development, marketing, operations, and technical product knowledge, while helping build a company from the ground up. #J-18808-Ljbffr