Senior Manager, Product R&D

Face Reality Skincare was created with one goal: to give people clear skin and confidence. With over 50 million people managing the physical and emotional toll of acne, we made it our mission to develop an effective way to achieve clear skin through adaptive, expert guidance by trained estheticians and premium formulas that use only tested, safe ingredients. We are dedicated to giving not just real results but celebrating people and their skin at every part of their journey.

Our Core Values

Integrity, Inclusive, Collaborative, Adaptive, Accessible

Our supportive business model ensures that everyone has a clear path to success and growth. We foster an inclusive space in which people are valued for who they are and are encouraged to collaborate to see goals fully realized. Fostering an open, honest culture gives us the opportunity to achieve greater trust internally and externally. Remaining flexible and adaptive allows us to remain responsive to the ever-changing world. Doing right, even if it is difficult, is of the utmost importance.

Senior Manager, Product R&D

Position Overview 

The Senior Manager, Product R&D will play a critical role in the product development process through technical, operational and administrative management of product development projects. Reporting to the Technical Director of R&D, this role will focus on managing the execution of formula development, sample submission process, and communication with cross-functional teams, contract manufacturers and third-party labs to ensure smooth and timely completion of product launches. This role will oversee product development documentation, taking functional leadership in implementing and maintaining Master record strategy with all required testing processes, as well as supporting compliance with regulatory standards. This role also provides support to the Product Development team which includes but is not limited to prep and set up of internal and external development meetings, competitive assessments, managing product and packaging sample evaluation process and organization, and translating ingredient documentation into marketable content. This is a hybrid position where you will work on-site in Danville Tuesdays -Thursdays and remotely Mondays and Fridays. Also, Please note that we are not in a position to support Visas at this time.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Research & Development and Testing:

• Manage the operational, administrative and technical aspects of the product development process from initial concept to final market-ready launch, including finalizing Master record documents.
• Research product prototypes, market trends, competitive product formulas and potential benchmarks, and ingredient and technology innovations.
• Draft and update lab briefs/product development requests and/or paper formula prototypes.
• Manage all required testing (e.g., stability, safety, efficacy) including processes, quotes, timelines, and submissions.
• Organize all development documentation, including ingredient lists, formulas, raw materials, quotes, testing, fill weight confirmation, master records, etc.
• Lead ingredient documentation to support product claims substantiation and manage translation of technical information into evidence-based content for Product Development to support marketing and educational training purposes.
• Support packaging development with respect to functionality and compatibility. Manage technical process change forms.

Project Management:

• Manage multiple product development projects concurrently, ensuring adherence to project milestones, deadlines, and budget requirements, and ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
• Track and update all internal documents, quotes, timelines, testing results, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Ensure that all product development activities are documented, traceable, and meet both internal and external standards.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with cross-functional internal teams (pd, quality/regulatory, operations, marketing) and external partners (suppliers, contract manufacturers, third party labs, etc) to manage product development timelines and ensure smooth project execution.
• Provide clear updates and address product development challenges.
• Manage communications with external labs and contract manufacturers, coordinating meetings, organizing notes, and ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
• Manage and prepare for weekly R&D meetings, ensuring agendas are set, key notes and actions are documented and followed up.

Samples and Evaluation:

• Manage all R&D/pilot samples including organization, filling, labeling, tracking and other processes to support internal evaluations and pre-production marketing/education/sales needs, as well as all testing requirements including external stability, safety, efficacy, and other third-party lab testing.
• Collaborate with Product & Protocol team to synthesize internal panel evaluations into appropriate technical feedback, for clear and timely direction/redirection to contract manufacturers.
• Ensure proper alignment of efficacy testing objectives, timelines, budgets, and documentation.

Quality and Regulatory Support:

• Collaborate with R&D Technical Director and Quality/Regulatory on compliance requirements, ensuring adherence to FDA, EU, and other international cosmetic regulations.
• Participate in investigations and resolve product compliance-related issues, supporting team with quality control measures and testing needs.
• Work with Quality/Regulatory to ensure changes are documented and aligns with quality and regulatory standards.

Qualifications:

• Preferred minimum of 5 years related industry experience
• Flexibility to adapt to changes quickly, excellent attention to detail.
• Experience in formulation and product development within the beauty industry, with a focus on skincare
• Experience in supporting safety and testing in skincare product development.
• Knowledge of ingredient innovations and current market trends.
• Experience in managing product specifications and packaging compliance.
• Proven experience in managing testing processes, vendor coordination, and regulatory documentation.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to support multiple initiatives concurrently.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional collaboration effectively.
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficient in PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel, Outlook
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Strong verbal, reasoning, and written communication skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail, task-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to take direction and multi-task
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to change and ambiguity as needed, ability to work in team setting.
• Curious nature, passion, and love for cosmetics/skincare
• A completed bachelor’s degree in science, or related field

Physical Demands:

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds

• Ability to stand, walk and bend for extended periods
• Excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks with accuracy and attention to detail
• Must be able to communicate effectively in verbal and written form
• Comfortable lifting, pushing, and pulling equipment and materials
• Comfortable using a computer, keyboard, and mouse

At Face Reality you will have an opportunity to:

• Partake in and contribute to a high-growth brand journey
• Be part of a high performing growing team
• Contribute to executing initiatives across professional channels

Salary: $140k - 155k per year plus yearly bonus and full benefits