Product Development Manager-Beauty-San Fernando Valley, CA
Overview
The Product Development Manager leads client-facing product development projects from initial concept through commercial launch. This role combines project leadership, exceptional organization, and proactive communication to keep timelines, budgets, samples, documentation, and deliverables moving forward.
You will serve as a primary client contact, coordinate internal and external partners, manage packaging and vendor activity, and identify risks before they affect project milestones. This is an opportunity to take ownership of the full product lifecycle within a fast-paced cosmetics and personal care development environment.
Key Responsibilities
-
Project Leadership: Manage assigned product development projects from concept through launch, maintaining project timelines, budgets, milestones, and deliverables.
-
Client Relationship Management: Serve as a key point of contact for clients, lead project communications, prepare meeting materials, respond to inquiries, and manage expectations.
-
Samples & Documentation: Coordinate the preparation, tracking, organization, and shipment of samples for internal review and client evaluation while maintaining accurate project records.
-
Vendor Management: Partner with packaging vendors to source components, obtain and evaluate quotes, manage lead times, and support on-time delivery against project schedules.
-
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, and Finance to align project requirements, milestones, specifications, and approvals.
-
Proactive Problem-Solving: Anticipate project risks, bottlenecks, and delays; develop solutions or escalate issues early to keep work on track.
-
Trends & Innovation: Stay informed on cosmetics, personal care, packaging, and consumer-product trends, bringing relevant ideas and solutions to development projects.
-
Process & Systems: Maintain project trackers, files, documentation, and systems; identify opportunities to improve workflows and information accessibility.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management, Chemistry, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- 3–5 years of experience in product development or project management within cosmetics, personal care, consumer goods, or a related industry.
- Demonstrated ability to manage client-facing projects from beginning to end while balancing timelines, budgets, quality, and changing priorities.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple active projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a professional, confident approach to client and vendor relationships.
- Experience using Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and project-management tools such as Monday.com or Asana.
- A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to anticipate issues and take initiative.
- Strong attention to detail, adaptability, and enthusiasm for product and industry innovation.
