Research & Development Manager, Product Lifecycle

John Paul Mitchell Systems•Santa Clarita, CA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an R&D Manager, Product Lifecycle, to lead the management and optimization of the existing product portfolio. This role is responsible for driving reformulation initiatives, cost optimization, compliance updates, and ensuring consistent product performance across all current line items. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on reformulation expertise combined with a strong strategic mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve product performance, cost structure, and claims within an existing portfolio. This role requires strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to translate technical decisions into business impact. This role is fully on-site at our R&D site in Santa Clarita, CA. It requires up to 10 % travel for Commercial Manufacturer visits, validation, or lifecycle support.

Requirements

Expertise in hands-on formulation of hair care or personal care products with an emphasis on reformulation
Proven track record of delivering reformulation projects tied to cost savings, compliance, and performance improvement
Strong understanding of raw material functionality, cost drivers, and substitution strategies
Deep knowledge of surfactants, conditioning systems, emulsions, polymers, and rheology modifiers
Experience transferring formulas from lab to manufacturing scale and troubleshooting scale-up challenges
Strong understanding of global cosmetic regulations (US, EU preferred) and compliance-driven reformulations
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing priorities
Strong business acumen with ability to connect technical decisions to financial and consumer impact
Excellent communication skills with ability to translate technical data into clear business insights
Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills
Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related field required
10+ years of hands-on experience in formulation, developing hair care or personal care products from concept to commercialization with an emphasis on reformulation
3+ years of experience leading and developing technical teams

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Experience in professional salon brands
Experience working with contract manufacturers and external partners
Experience supporting global product portfolios and launches
Experience with packaging compatibility and lifecycle management

Responsibilities

Lead the execution of reformulation initiatives across the existing product portfolio
Identify and drive opportunities for cost optimization (COGS), performance improvement, and product upgrades
Manage lifecycle pipeline prioritization, ensuring alignment with business, regulatory, and operational needs
Ensure product performance, quality, and consistency across batches, markets, and manufacturing sites
Ensure all reformulations maintain or improve product claims and consumer-relevant performance
Proactively identify opportunities for new claims, performance enhancements, and portfolio upgrades
Lead compliance-driven formula changes and regulatory updates across global markets
Partner closely with Procurement, Regulatory, Quality, Packaging, and Operations to deliver changes effectively
Oversee technically packaging updates and compatibility to ensure product integrity
Support SKU rationalization and portfolio optimization decisions
Lead and develop chemists and lab techs, building strong reformulation and technical capability within the team
AI-driven insights and modern innovation approaches to accelerate development and decision-making