Product Development & Formulation Lifecycle

• Lead the end-to-end formulation lifecycle for all liquid haircare SKUs, from initial bench concept and raw material sourcing to pilot scale-up and commercial production.

• Translate DTC market data, hair-type needs, and emerging ingredient trends into actionable product briefs and high-performing liquid formulations.

• Partner directly with contract manufacturers, R&D labs, and raw material suppliers to formulate products from the ground up, ensuring formulas hit performance benchmarks, target COGs, and launch timelines.

• Direct and evaluate sensory, panel, and lab testing for texture, viscosity, scent performance, foam profile, and efficacy; rigorously critique formula iterations to exceed consumer expectations.

• Oversee critical validation processes with external vendor partners, including formula stability, compatibility, microbial challenge testing, and packaging compatibility testing for liquid formats (pumps, sprays, bottles, tubes).

• Maintain complete product data integrity, including product briefs, compliance documentation, BOMs, raw material specs, formulation sheets, artwork, quotes, and INCI lists.

Supply Chain & Vendor Collaboration

• Identify, vet, and manage global contract manufacturing partners and cosmetic labs, building strong relationships that ensure high formulation quality and scalable production capabilities.

• Troubleshoot formulation challenges during scale-up (viscosity drops, phase separation, preservation, scent masking) alongside vendor R&D teams.

• Manage product changes, reformulations, line extensions, and ingredient updates while maintaining product performance and regulatory alignment.

Compliance & Cross-Functional Support

• Manage product compliance documentation (Safety Data Sheets, PIF’s, COAs, challenge tests, ingredient decks, and claim support documentation) in compliance with US and international beauty regulations (FDA, Prop 65, California Safe Cosmetics Program, MoCRA, EU, etc.).

• Collaborate with Creative, Marketing, Operations, and Regulatory teams to guide artwork creation, ensure accurate label claims, and deliver smooth inventory handoffs.

• Partner with Customer Experience and Education teams to translate complex formulation science into clear, accessible product education and training materials.

• Conduct ongoing competitive analysis and benchmark testing against top DTC haircare brands.

• 4+ years of hands-on beauty product development experience, with at least 3 years specifically focused on liquid haircare formulations (shampoos, scalp care, treatments, styling products, mask formulations) within a fast-growing DTC brand environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Bio-Materials, or a related technical discipline (Cosmetic Chemistry coursework preferred).

• Proven track record of building SKUs from the ground up with external contract manufacturers (CMOs) and third party manufacturing vendors.

• Strong understanding of haircare ingredients (surfactants, silicones, polymers, proteins, botanical oils, conditioning agents), INCI nomenclature, formulation stability, and pilot batching.

• Demonstrated ability to manage full PD lifecycles, cross-functional timelines, and complex multi-SKU rollouts simultaneously.

• A passionate self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced setting; ready to roll up your sleeves, test formulas, and drive real business results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Cosmetic Science or Chemistry (BS/MS).

• Previous experience in a fast-paced DTC beauty brand environment with rapid product launch schedules.

• Background in hair salon professional space, cosmetology, or professional trichology.

• Deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks (MoCRA, Prop 65, clean beauty retailer standards).

• Strong presentation skills with experience delivering formula briefings to executive leadership.