Senior Manager, Product Development

Vacation Inc.

Senior Manager of Product Development driving end-to-end product development at Vacation® sunscreen company. Leading cross-functional teams to deliver innovative products and ensure regulatory compliance.

Posted 4/28/2026full-timeLos Angeles • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $125,000 - $145,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the end-to-end product development process, including brief interpretation, formulation development, packaging development, testing, and production readiness, partnering closely with Project Management to ensure timelines, milestones, and cross-functional coordination are effectively executed.
Collaborate with Product Marketing to lead alignment on product positioning, technical feasibility, key ingredients, claims support, and storytelling grounded in product performance.
Manage external relationships with contract manufacturers, formulators and packaging vendors to initiate and track projects, negotiate pricing and drive accountability, and outcomes under tight timelines.
Drive hands-on leadership in formula development, including evaluation of submissions, iteration with formulators, and final formula selection.
Oversee packaging development, including sourcing, testing, and validation of components across domestic and international suppliers.
Partner closely with the Head of Regulatory Compliance to ensure all formulas, claims, and documentation meet FDA and applicable global requirements.
Define and manage required testing including stability, compatibility, micro/PET, performance, and claims substantiation to ensure product safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance.
Partner with Operations to drive alignment and ensure seamless transition from development to commercialization, including pilot runs, scale-up readiness, and supply chain alignment
Work with Creative to lead coordination on timely development of packaging artwork and ensure technical accuracy of on-pack information.
Own development documentation including formula specifications, packaging specifications, BOMs and tech packs, ensuring accuracy, completeness and readiness for production.
Identify risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities within the development pipeline and proactively drive solutions, balancing speed, cost, quality and regulatory requirements against business priorities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field
5 - 8+ years of experience in product development within the personal care or beauty industry, with direct FDA OTC experience required; sunscreen strongly preferred
Proven expertise managing end-to-end product development with contract manufacturers, formulators, packaging engineers, and regulatory experts
Deep expertise in formula development, including direct formulating experience as well as managing the work through external formulators
Experience in packaging development, including design, sourcing, tooling, decoration, and testing
Experience partnering closely with Regulatory teams to ensure full compliance across formulas, claims, and documentation
Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects, stakeholders, and aggressive timelines
Effective cross-functional collaborator with clear and proactive communication style
Detail-oriented, assertive, and comfortable balancing creative vision with operational discipline
Experience working successfully in a remote or hybrid environment
Excited to grow Vacation® into a household name and have fun in the process
You use sunscreen

Benefits

Comp & perks

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision plans with up to 100% coverage for employees
401k with Company Match
WFH stipend and an annual learning stipend
15 Days PTO
Complimentary Vacation® Products

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

product developmentformula developmentpackaging developmenttestingregulatory complianceproject managementsourcingclaims substantiationstability testingmicro/PET testing

Soft Skills

cross-functional collaborationcommunicationorganizational skillsdetail-orientedassertivenessproblem-solvingtime managementleadershipcreativityadaptability

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in ChemistryFDA compliance certification