Product Development Leadership Translate consumer insights, trend intelligence, and competitive learnings into clear product requirements, technical targets, and performance benchmarks to guide formula and shade development. (Co-create) innovative product concepts, ingredient stories, and technology platforms that unlock whitespace opportunities and support brand growth. Establish shade strategies and shade assortments for new launches and extensions, grounded in trend analysis, competitive benchmarking, and consumer insights. Define target product benchmark; work in partnership with the lab to develop formula. Lead shade development for assigned programs, ensuring alignment with Marketing, R&D, Regulatory, Packaging, and Operations. Evaluate formulas at all development stages—lab, pilot, scale-up, first production, and ongoing production—to ensure consistency in performance, shade, texture, and quality. Cross-Functional & Vendor Management Lead weekly development meetings with Project Management, Marketing, and contract manufacturers to track progress, resolve issues, and ensure on-time delivery. Partner closely with contract manufacturers to drive formula development, shade matching, and scale-up activities, ensuring projects remain on budget and on schedule. Collaborate closely with Packaging Development Travel to contract manufacturers as needed for on-site formula evaluations/approvals, pilot batches, scaleups, and production troubleshooting. Claims, Compliance & Testing Partner proactively with Claims, Marketing, Legal, and Regulatory to help shape differentiated, defensible product benefit claims including key ingredient stories supported by appropriate testing and documentation in partnership with the Consumer & Clinical research team. Review Marketing and Creative assets to ensure claims accuracy and substantiation. Manage clinical, sensory, and consumer testing programs for assigned products, communicating results and implications to cross-functional partners. Costing, Documentation & Process Management Partner with Marketing and R&D to align on formula and packaging cost targets; track formula cost throughout development to ensure budget adherence. Maintain an organized system for all product submissions, approvals, and documentation. Support the creation and maintenance of Product Information Files and ensure all formula, shade, and performance standards are properly documented. Proactively identify development risks, evaluate trade-offs, and drive timely decisions or course-corrections to maintain delivery against scope, timing, and quality targets. Market & Trend Intelligence Conduct ongoing competitive research on new launches, ingredient technologies, textures, and shade trends to inform innovation strategy. Attend industry events, supplier meetings, and trade shows to stay current on emerging technologies and market shifts. Qualifications & Experience Required Bachelor’s degree required. Minimum 5 years of experience in color cosmetics product development (prestige, indie, or mass). Proven track record of leading successful product launches from concept through production. Strong understanding of the full product development lifecycle, including formula development, shade matching, claims, testing, and scale-up. Experience managing contract manufacturers and external suppliers. Exceptional project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously. Strong communication skills—able to synthesize complex information and present clear recommendations to cross-functional partners and leadership. Highly detail-oriented, solutions-driven, and comfortable navigating accelerated timelines and shifting priorities. Passion for the beauty industry, color trends, and consumer-driven innovation. Preferred Experience across multiple color categories (face, eye, lip, nail). Strong color acuity and familiarity with shade development processes. Experience with regulatory-driven reformulations and ingredient transitions. #LI-EM 1 #LI-Hybrid