HALEY SHELLEY ’14
Chemical Engineering
Dove Deodorants
What does the day-to-day look like as the R&D manager for Dove Deodorants?
When we receive a project brief, we dive deep into the consumer trends driving the desire for that specific product. We analyze this information to pinpoint the ideal formula, packaging, and claims that will resonate with consumers. Take the Dove x Crumbl collaboration, for example. With collaborations popping up everywhere in stores and across social media, it felt like a natural fit to bring those incredible cookie-inspired fragrances to our personal care products.
Our next step involves looking at our existing portfolio of formulations. We decide whether the new product should be an antiperspirant or a deodorant, and then whether a stick or spray format would be best. For the Crumbl collaboration, we landed on a deodorant stick with a formulation that I feel closely mirrors cookie dough and offers a fantastic glide on the skin. The packaging was a no-brainer – it had to be Crumbl’s signature pink! We also work closely with our claims team to highlight the most compelling formula benefits that align with our target Crumbl user, without overwhelming them.
Once the formula, packaging, and claims are finalized, we scale up production in our factories and prepare the products for delivery to retailers, which in the case of Crumbl, was Walmart.
What brought you to Auburn to study engineering?
My father is an Auburn alumnus, so Auburn always felt like a second home. There was never a question of if I would attend, but rather what I would study. Initially, I chose environmental science because I was interested in meteorology. However, over time, I realized that wasn’t my long-term passion. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, so I focused on a major that offered a wide range of career possibilities: chemical engineering. With a chemical engineering background, the options are vast, from medicine to even formulating pet food.
What led you to this particular field?
Just months before defending my doctoral dissertation in pharmaceutical sciences, I had another moment of realization – academia wasn’t the right path for me, and neither was the traditional pharmaceutical industry. My dissertation focused on ocular drug delivery, but at its core, it demonstrated my ability to engineer complex formulations. So, like any soon-to-be graduate feeling a bit lost, I turned to LinkedIn to find jobs where I could excel and be passionate. I searched for ‘formulation jobs,’ and the first result was for dog food! While I love my dogs, I didn’t envision coming home smelling like kibble every day.
I then stumbled upon formulation roles in nail polish, cosmetics, and, you guessed it, Dove. I was hired to create the first range of sulfate-free body washes for Dove Men + Care six years ago, and as of January 2025, the entire range has transitioned to sulfate-free. My current challenge involves managing the core range for Dove deodorants, and let me tell you, my upcoming projects are top secret!
How does your current role allow you to use both your engineering and pharmaceutical education?
At my core, I’m a formulation engineer. Learning to formulate for personal care products, as opposed to pharmaceuticals, really came down to understanding the chemical interactions of the ingredients used in this industry. Eventually, I realized it’s quite similar to cooking – you adjust ingredients based on their benefits to create a product that consumers will love.
What is the most satisfying part of your job?
Seeing a product on store shelves is definitely amazing, but what’s even better is hearing consumers rave about how much they love a product, whether it’s online or in person. That genuine appreciation is incredibly rewarding.
What is the most important lesson you learned while at Auburn?
Earning a degree proves that you’re intelligent and capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. I think there’s a common misconception that your degree dictates a specific, “traditional” career path. Auburn taught me that this is absolutely not the case. Your education provides a foundation, but your passions and skills can lead you down unexpected and fulfilling avenues.
