Associate Manager, Product Development

About the role

We are seeking a talented and driven Associate Manager, Product Development to join our team. In this role, you will support development of color products — from initial concept and formula briefs through shade development, iteration, and final launch. You will work closely with Creative, Marketing, Sourcing, and Operations to bring differentiated, on-trend assortments to market on time and on budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Support formula development briefings with contract manufacturers and in-house labs, communicating performance, texture, and finish targets.
• Contribute to shade development — from trend research and competitive analysis through assortment proposals and development.
• Help develop compelling, cohesive shade ranges that are inclusive, commercially relevant, and brand-appropriate across all skin tones.
• Evaluate lab submissions for color accuracy, formula stability, and consumer-relevant performance benchmarks.
• Build knowledge of raw materials, pigment systems, and formulation technology to help guide manufacturers toward innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Partner with Marketing and Creative to support seasonal and evergreen product assortments that align with brand positioning and consumer demand.
• Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitive landscape to surface insights and recommendations on shade edits, gaps, and expansion opportunities.
• Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously across different stages of the pipeline, maintaining accuracy and momentum. Track project deliverables; proactively identify risks and escalate to keep launches on schedule.
• Collaborate with internal teams (Marketing, Creative, Regulatory, Packaging, Supply Chain) and external manufacturing partners.
• Prepare assortment and shade proposals and development status updates for internal meetings.
• Ensure all products meet regulatory requirements for target markets (US, EU, and others as applicable).
• Partner with Regulatory and Quality teams to resolve formula or stability issues efficiently.
• Work within established COGs targets.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of product development experience in color cosmetics (e.g., lip, eye, face, or multi-category) — required.
• Hands-on experience in formula development and color/shade development — from brief to bulk approval.
• Experience contributing to cohesive, commercially relevant shade ranges across diverse skin tones.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.
• Familiarity with formulas, stability data, and lab reports; willingness to deepen technical knowledge on the job.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers or third-party labs, including coordinating across time zones.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Benefits

• Vacation time
• Health benefits
• 401k + match
• Paid holidays
• Product discounts

Pay

The salary range for this position is up to $85k DOE + discretionary annual bonus.