Product Development Manager

Product society • Los Angeles, CA

1d • $90,000 - $95,000

About The Position

Product Society provides full product development services: from turnkey solutions and custom formulation to packaging and manufacturing. This role gives you ownership over the complete lifecycle of product creation in the cosmetics and personal care industry. The Product Development Manager leads product development (PD) projects from concept through launch, owning client-facing accounts end to end. This role combines strong project leadership with deep organization, attention to detail, and proactive communication. You will manage timelines and budgets, coordinate samples and documentation, work with packaging vendors, and serve as the primary point of contact for clients. Above all, we are looking for someone who thinks ahead — anticipating problems before they arise, staying current with industry trends, and taking the extra step to move each development forward. Over time, this role may also guide a Product Development Coordinator.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management, Chemistry, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–5 years of experience in product development or project management within the cosmetics, personal care, or consumer goods industry.
• Proven ability to manage client-facing projects end to end, balancing timelines, budgets, and quality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities at once.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a professional, confident manner with vendors and clients.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Workspace and project management tools (e.g.,Monday.com, Asana).
• A proactive mindset — someone who anticipates problems early and takes the initiative to solve them.
• Genuine enthusiasm for staying on top of industry trends and going the extra step to elevate each development.
• Detail-oriented and adaptable in a fast-paced, full-service environment.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned client accounts and PD projects end to end, managing against set timelines to execute each development from concept through launch, and keeping budgets and deliverables on track.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, leading communication, vetting inquiries, preparing meeting materials, and managing expectations.
• Oversee the preparation, organization, and shipment of samples for internal review and client evaluation, ensuring records stay accurate and current.
• Partner with packaging vendors to source components, negotiate quotes, and manage lead times against project schedules.
• Work across R&D, Regulatory, and Quality — as well as Operations and Finance — to align milestones and keep projects moving and on spec.
• Anticipate risks, bottlenecks, and delays before they surface, and resolving or escalating them early to keep work on track.
• Stay current with industry trends and new developments, bringing fresh ideas and taking the extra step to strengthen each development.
• Maintain trackers, files, and systems, and improve PD processes so data and documents stay accessible and up to date.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Ownership of client-facing product development projects and accounts.
• Hands-on exposure to full-service product development and turnkey manufacturing.
• Clear path for growth as the product development function scales.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level