Vice President, Product Development

OSEA•Los Angeles, CA

1d•$190,000 - $230,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Join our fast-growing beauty brand and become a key member of our executive team. We are seeking a strategic, passionate Vice President of Product Development to lead and evolve our innovation pipeline. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in skincare development, a sharp eye for product excellence, and a proven ability to lead teams and complex projects from concept through commercialization. You thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are energized by building best-in-class products that deliver real, measurable results. At OSEA our mission is to create effective, results-driven skincare that is safe for the planet and humankind. This role is instrumental in advancing that mission, driving innovation, elevating product quality, and ensuring every launch reflects our commitment to wellness, integrity, and sustainability. This role is hybrid, with the expectation to work in-office at least 1-2 days per week at our Venice, California headquarters.

Requirements

12+ years of experience in product development within beauty required
8+ years of experience in skincare product development required
Deep knowledge of skincare ingredients, formulation science, and clean beauty standards
Proven leadership experience managing high-performing teams, including senior-level direct reports
Deep expertise in R&D processes, including formulation, testing, claims substantiation, and scale-up
Demonstrated success in leading products from concept through commercialization
Strong understanding of global regulatory requirements and compliance frameworks
Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously
Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach and a bias for action
Experience working with contract manufacturers and external R&D partners
Passion for clean, clinically proven skincare and ingredient innovation
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Must reside in the United States to be considered for this position

Responsibilities

Own and evolve OSEA’s product development and innovation strategy, with a strong emphasis on R&D excellence and pipeline planning
Identify whitespace opportunities and emerging trends in skincare, ingredients, and clean beauty
Contribute to and help shape the overall innovation roadmap, ensuring alignment with brand vision, growth goals, and market opportunities
Identify and introduce new technologies, ingredients, and partners to elevate product performance and differentiation
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of four direct reports, including a Senior Director, R&D, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and innovation
Build scalable processes, tools, and workflows to support a growing product pipeline
Champion cross-functional alignment and strong communication across departments
Drive innovation from concept through commercialization, ensuring differentiation and efficacy, owning the execution of all product development milestones, meeting timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
Troubleshoot formulation or production challenges to maintain timelines and quality
Oversee formula development, iteration, and final approvals in partnership with R&D and external labs
Guide evaluation of formula submissions and direct optimization toward best-in-class outcomes
Oversee all R&D activities, including formulation development, testing, and validation
Partner closely with internal chemists and external R&D teams at contract manufacturers
Stay current on ingredient innovation, sustainability practices, and scientific advancements
Oversee all testing strategies including stability, compatibility, clinical, and consumer testing to substantiate product claims
Ensure all formulas meet global regulatory requirements and compliance standards across current and emerging markets
Partner closely with Regulatory and Marketing to ensure claims are accurate, supportable, and aligned with brand positioning
Collaborate with Marketing, Creative, and Education teams to define product concepts, claims, and storytelling
Co-author and approve all key product documentation including Product Profiles, claims support, and ingredient narratives
Support internal teams with product knowledge, FAQs, and training materials related to formulas and efficacy
Manage and strengthen relationships with contract manufacturers, labs, and testing partners to ensure seamless development and scale-up
Evaluate and select partners aligned with OSEA’s quality, sustainability, and innovation standards
Negotiate development timelines and ensure successful scale-up and production
Oversee technology transfers to manufacturers and support production readiness
Participate in artwork and packaging reviews to ensure alignment with product positioning and regulatory requirements
Establish and maintain systems for documentation, sample management, and project tracking across all development initiatives
Ensure rigorous organization of lab samples, standards, and development archives
Continuously improve internal processes to increase efficiency, transparency, and speed to market