Senior Level Senior Product Development Manager Jobs

INTRODUCTION

OUR CLIENT IS A WELL KNOWN BEAUTY/SKINCARE BRAND IN LOS ANGELES AND SEEKING FOR A STRONG SENIOR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager, Product Development to lead the end-to-end development of innovative skincare and personal care products from concept through commercialization. This role will oversee product development strategy, clinical and consumer testing programs, and technical claims support while partnering closely with R&D, Regulatory, Marketing, Operations, Legal, and external testing partners. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, collaborative leader with strong technical expertise in cosmetic product development, claims substantiation, and clinical research. They thrive in a fast-paced environment, can manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, and bring a creative, consumer-focused perspective to product innovation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Development & Formulation:

- Lead cosmetic product development from concept, prototype evaluation, and formula approval through commercialization.
- Develop comprehensive product technical packages, including active ingredient strategies, efficacy targets, product benefits, and claims support.
- Partner with formulation chemists on benchwork, project launches, reformulations, and prototype feedback cycles.
- Review and approve formula bills of materials for innovation and product improvement initiatives.
- Build and maintain an innovation-focused formulation library informed by competitive benchmarking and emerging category trends.
- Maintain productive relationships with raw-material vendors and manage internal ingredient databases.

Clinical Research & Claims Substantiation:

- Design, oversee, and manage clinical studies conducted internally and through contract research organizations.
- Support product claims related to efficacy, tolerance, dermatological testing, consumer perception, and regulatory compliance.
- Oversee study execution from protocol development and participant recruitment through data collection, monitoring, and final reporting.
- Analyze and manage clinical data, including dermatological assessments, instrumental measurements, and consumer feedback.
- Lead the technical review, development, and substantiation of product copy and claims.
- Ensure claims and supporting materials align with applicable legal, safety, regulatory, and internal quality requirements.

Cross-Functional Project Leadership:

- Lead weekly cross-functional innovation project meetings, establishing agendas, milestones, decisions, and follow-up actions.
- Partner with Marketing, Regulatory, Legal, Operations, and R&D to align development priorities, launch timelines, and product positioning.
- Lead R&D product improvement and change-management initiatives.
- Deliver periodic trend and competitive landscape presentations that identify innovation opportunities and emerging concepts.
- Co-create technical education, training presentations, and video materials that explain product technology, mechanisms of action, and claims support.

Team Leadership & Development:

- Mentor and manage direct reports, providing technical guidance, coaching, and professional development support.
- Promote strong collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across the product development function.
- Motivate project teams and help remove barriers to timely execution.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Minimum of 8 years of product development experience within the personal care, skincare, beauty, or cosmetics industry.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred in Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
- Strong interest in skincare, personal care, and consumer wellness.
- Demonstrated experience with product innovation, formulation strategy, clinical research, and claims development.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Understanding of cosmetic regulatory guidelines, GMP, claims substantiation, and cosmetic testing protocols.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage complex development timelines.
- Experience with consumer insights, competitive analysis, and trend forecasting.
- Experience supporting global product launches.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong technical expertise and sound professional judgment.
- Excellent written, verbal, and cross-functional communication skills.
- Results-oriented leader with a collaborative, innovative mindset.
- Ability to prioritize competing demands and execute multiple projects simultaneously.
- Comfortable working autonomously while building strong partnerships across teams.