Jafra Cosmetics to Lay Off 75 Employees

Seeking to reduce costs, Jafra Cosmetics International Inc. is laying off nearly 19% of its work force as it ends manufacturing operations at its corporate headquarters at 2451 Townsgate Road.

The company plans to get rid of 75 of its 400 employees by contracting with another manufacturer to produce Jafra skin care and body care products.

Jafra’s administrative departments--including quality assurance, planning, purchasing and research and development--will remain in Westlake, according to company officials.

Jafra is a direct marketer of skin care, body care, cosmetics, nutrition supplements and other personal care products throughout the United States and more than 11 foreign countries.

The company has a self-employed, worldwide sales force of 262,800, including 56,500 in the United States, which will not be affected by the layoffs.

Gary Wartik, manager of economic development for Thousand Oaks, said the city is pleased Jafra will stay in the area, particularly considering predictions that more companies are expected to consolidate their operations to reduce expenses.

“We are just delighted that Jafra is staying. They are one of the major employers in the city and certainly important to the economy of Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks,” he said.

Of the jobs to be eliminated, 14 are professional or technical positions and the remaining 61 are hourly employees. Each employee received a 60-day notice of termination on June 10, when Jafra was required by federal law to alert workers of the impending layoffs.

Dismissed employees will receive a $1,000 payment as part of their severance packages, which will be based on their length of employment. Company officials declined to give further details.

Wartik said both cities and the county are preparing programs to help ease the transition for people who lose their jobs and look for new employment.

“We do have a work force shortage in Ventura County,” he said.