Manager, Product Development (Formulation)

About the role

Sol de Janeiro, launched in 2015, is a globally recognized, award-winning beauty brand inspired by Brazil’s beauty rituals, warmth, and spirit. The Manager, Product Development leads the creation, optimization, and commercialization of formulas from concept through production, ensuring products meet brand expectations, performance standards, cost targets, quality requirements, and regulatory compliance.

This role collaborates closely with Marketing, Packaging, Procurement, Regulatory, Operations, Quality, external manufacturers, and suppliers to deliver innovative products with strong technical execution, meticulous documentation, and scalable formulation processes.

Responsibilities

• Formula Development & Commercialization: Direct end-to-end formulation development for new products and reformulations, ensuring formulas deliver on performance, stability, safety, manufacturability, quality, cost, and consumer experience.
• Cross-Functional Project Leadership: Partner with Marketing, Packaging, Procurement, Regulatory, Operations, and Quality to translate concepts into viable formulas, manage technical risks, support project timelines, and drive execution from concept through commercialization.
• External Manufacturer & Supplier Partnership: Work closely with contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to develop, test, refine, and scale formulas, ensuring alignment on quality, cost, feasibility, and production readiness.
• Specification & Quality Management: Define, review, and align formula specification ranges with suppliers prior to production. Ensure capture of all required technical data for formulas.
• Innovation & Technology Development: Identify new ingredients, technologies, and formulation approaches that build future innovation pipelines, drive ingredient storytelling, and contribute to unique Sol de Janeiro product experiences.

Success Measures:

• Completion of technical documentation and supplier records.
• Completion of key milestones for formula development.
• Strong execution throughout the product development process, from concept through production.
• On-time delivery of innovation and reformulation projects.
• Delivery of innovative ideas through supplier partnerships, new ingredients, and future-facing technologies.
• Achievement of formula cost targets.
• Continuous improvement of workflows, documentation, and core product performance.
• Effective management of technical risks with minimal impact to launch timelines.
• Strong cross-functional partnership and consistent demonstration of Sol de Janeiro values.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Biology, or related field.
• 5+ years of product development/formulation experience within beauty, personal care, skincare, haircare, body care, fragrance, or related consumer products.
• Experience partnering with contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.
• In-depth knowledge of formulation, scale-up, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated success leading products from concept through commercialization.
• Understanding of cosmetic regulatory requirements and product compliance.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical information to non-technical teams.
• Demonstrated organizational agility—effective working independently and as part of a team.
• Proven project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Some travel required.
• Hybrid working environment; must be willing to be in-office three times per week.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and bonus program for full-time team members.
• Flexible hybrid work environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth.
• Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and celebrates individuality.
• The chance to be part of a fast-growing, award-winning global beauty brand.

Pay

Salary Range: $100,000 USD - $120,000 USD