Product Development Manager, Formulation
$115,000 - $125,000/yr
An innovative and fast-growing company in the San Diego area is seeking a Product Development Manager to lead high-impact product development initiatives across various beauty categories. This is a hands-on technical role responsible for driving products from concept through commercialization, including formulation, testing, and manufacturing scale-up. The role offers a unique opportunity to work on both established, shelf-ready products and new product innovation for major retail channels. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in formulation development, contract manufacturing, and OTC products, along with a strong ability to lead cross-functional execution and deliver high-quality consumer products at scale. The Product Development Manager, Formulation team member reports to the Vice President of Product Development. Key Responsibilities 1) Product Development \& Scale-Up * Drive formulation development to achieve targeted performance, sensory attributes, appearance, and claims * Coordinate validation, and commercialization readiness across product lines * Manage timelines, critical paths, and cost considerations for development and scale-up * Drive lab, pilot, and full-scale production in partnership with contract manufacturers * Ensure smooth transition into manufacturing with consistent quality and supply 2) OTC, SPF \& Regulatory * Serve as day-to-day driver for OTC and SPF product development, under the guidance of the VP of Product Development * Partner with Regulatory to support claims substantiation and ensure compliance with FDA and U.S. regulations * Align formulations, testing protocols, and documentation with on-pack claims * Coordinate development testing, including stability, compatibility, and performance validation * Ensure formulations are compatible with packaging and meet regulatory expectations prior to launch 3) Cross-Functional Supplier Management * Act as the primary day-to-day contact across a network of contract manufacturing partners * Coordinate formulation development, testing, scale-up, and technology transfer * Collaborate with Packaging teams to ensure formula–package compatibility and aligned timelines * Partner closely with Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to drive execution * Maintain clear documentation and communicate development progress to stakeholders 4) New Product Innovation * Drive end-to-end development of new products for a range of retail channels * Translate customer briefs into scalable, compliant, and cost-effective formulations * Support innovation across mass retail, drug, grocery, specialty, and club channels * Balance innovation initiatives alongside ongoing product development priorities Qualifications * Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field * 8+ years of product development experience in beauty, personal care, and/or OTC categories * Demonstrated experience with OTC drug products and SPF formulations * Strong background working with contract manufacturers * Proven ability to manage complex development timelines, testing programs, and budgets * Preferred to have experience supporting major retail customers * Familiarity with shelf-ready packaging and retail quality expectations * Strong cross-functional collaboration with Packaging, Regulatory, and Quality teams * Ability to travel as needed to CM locations during production runs, located mostly in the Los Angeles area. Work Schedule: Hybrid Schedule - Monday through Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM with variation based on business demands (Mon \& Fri remote, Tues - Thurs in-office) Pay range: $115,000 to $125,000 Benefits: * 401(k) * Dental insurance * Vision insurance * Health insurance * Health savings account * Paid time off