Senior Manager, Product Development

Role Overview

• 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

• 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

• 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