Product Development Manager jobs in Texas

Position Summary

The Product Development Manager manages a team of formulators for the successful research and development of personal care, skincare, cosmetic and OTC products. The manager is responsible for managing all aspects of formula development including creating product design, formulation, stability, compatibility, regulatory, scale up and production support. They lead the team to create new, innovative, and marketable formulas that are robust and well documented. They interact with Sales and customers to understand the needs of the market and turn those concepts into products. The position sets milestones and tracks KPIs to ensure the smooth and successful operation of the lab. They work collaboratively with Operations to solve problems, participating in the CAPA process to implement corrective and preventative actions as required.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Work in a safe manner in the laboratory.
• Manage, develop and grow a talented team of formulators.
• Lead and manage the daily operations of the R&I laboratory, including project prioritization, resource allocation, and ensuring the smooth, clean and organized operation of the lab environment.
• Coordinate and supervise all aspects of a formula’s development.
• Review, apply, and create the process of new formula development as needed, such as the general process of development with roles and responsibilities clearly defined.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence within the R&D team, promoting professional growth and development opportunities.
• Participate in the new product process, from brief presentations to the final stage of development.
• Executes the innovation roadmap provided by the R&I director based on market trends and customer requests.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory processes, streamline workflows, and optimize resource utilization.
• Present innovations, improvements and KPIs to key stakeholders including management, Sales, and customers.
• Assist in creating and refining formulas that are robust and align to the plant’s manufacturing capabilities and business plan.
• Work with the Process Engineers for the successful scale up and efficient manufacture of new formulas.
• Coordinate, review and develop robust testing process for stability and compatibility alongside Package Engineers.
• Serve as a technical expert and resource for troubleshooting formulation challenges, resolving compounding issues, and supporting product scale-up activities. Ensure GDP in Formula, Raw Material and Process documentation.
• Observe, record, investigate, and validate successful procedures.
• Stay on top of new trends in products, categories and raw materials to drive innovation.
• Recommend improvements to current formulations and update accordingly.
• Design technical approaches for projects, set up milestones, and independently drive projects to completion.
• Establish appropriate testing strategy to create specifications, substantiate claims, and ensure product quality.
• Generate documents required for product registration such as Master Formula, Process Instructions, Bulk Material Specifications, Registration, Ingredient Declaration, and other documents the customer requires from time to time.
• Perform testing, or coordinate with Quality to perform testing, of new formulas, including OTC Products.
• Identify nonconformities, lead or participate in the CAPA process, implement corrective and preventative actions as required, and monitor corrective and preventative actions for effectiveness.
• Ensure GLP through calibration, data trending, and coordination with internal audits.
• Evaluate risks and provide data interpretations to help drive decisions.
• Evaluate the performance of the team and individuals.
• Manage timelines and KPIs and hold direct reports responsible for both successes and failures.
• These job responsibilities can change over time.

Technical Skills Required

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and quality standards applicable to the personal care industry (FDA, EU regulations, GMP, etc.). Functional knowledge of OTC testing requirements, protocols and method development for ICP, GC, and/or HPLC.
• Understanding of personal care formulas, stability, microbial testing/challenge protocols and analytical testing that ensure long term quality.
• Understanding of Packaging Compatibility and how it relates to products.
• In depth understanding of Good Document Practices and how they relate to GLP and GMP.
• Ability to interpret data to create formula specifications for Operations and Quality.
• Understanding of Safety Data Sheets and how to evaluate raw materials and formulas for safety.
• Strong risk analysis and data evaluation abilities.
• Efficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong attention to detail.
• Must be able to work as a team player.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Experience Required

• BS/BA in Chemistry or related Science.
• 5 years formulation experience in consumer products and cosmetics industry.
• Experience with formulating topical OTC products.
• Experience managing a team of formulators, or strong examples of mentorship within R&D team.

Physical Requirements

• Stand/remain upright for long periods of time.
• Bend, squat, kneel, turn, and stoop.
• Able to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work and function safely in a Laboratory environment.
• Must be able to discerndifference incolor.