Manager, Product Development

ColourPop Cosmetics LLC

$100K — $120K *
Retail & Consumer Goods
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of product development experience in color cosmetics required.
  • Hands-on experience in formula and shade development from brief to bulk approval.
  • Proven ability to build commercially successful shade ranges for diverse skin tones.
  • Strong project management skills for handling multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Proficient in interpreting formulas, stability data, and lab reports.
  • Experience with international manufacturers and third-party labs, managing cross-cultural relationships.
  • Willingness to travel internationally as needed.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills for cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

  • Lead formula development briefings with manufacturers and labs, specifying performance targets.
  • Drive shade development through trend research and competitive analysis.
  • Develop inclusive and commercially relevant shade ranges for various skin tones.
  • Evaluate lab submissions for color accuracy and performance benchmarks.
  • Maintain in-depth knowledge of raw materials and formulation technology for innovative solutions.
  • Partner with Marketing and Creative to define product assortments aligning with brand and consumer needs.
  • Manage multiple product development projects, ensuring they stay on schedule.
  • Liaise between internal teams and manufacturing partners, preparing project updates for internal meetings.

Benefits

  • Vacation time
  • Health benefits
  • 401k with company match
  • Paid holidays
  • Product discounts
  • Additional employee perks.
Full Job Description
LOCATION: Onsite in Oxnard, CA (remote candidates will not be considered)

About the Role
We are seeking a talented and driven Product Development Manager to join our team. In this role, you will lead development of color products - from initial concept and formula briefs through shade development, iteration, and final launch.
You will work closely with Creative, Marketing, Sourcing, and Operations to bring differentiated, on-trend assortments to market on time and on budget.

Key Responsibilities
Formula & Shade Development
  • Lead formula development briefings with contract manufacturers and in-house labs, clearly communicating performance, texture, and finish targets.
  • Drive shade development - from trend research and competitive analysis through assortment proposals and development.
  • Develop compelling, cohesive shade ranges that are inclusive, commercially relevant, and brand-appropriate across all skin tones.
  • Evaluate and approve lab submissions for color accuracy, formula stability, and consumer-relevant performance benchmarks.
  • Maintain deep knowledge of raw materials, pigment systems, and formulation technology to guide manufacturers toward innovative and cost-effective solutions.

Assortment Strategy & Planning
  • Partner with Marketing and Creative to define seasonal and evergreen product assortments that align with brand positioning and consumer demand.
  • Analyze sales data, market trends, and competitive landscape to recommend shade edits, gaps, and expansion opportunities.

Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously across different stages of the pipeline, maintaining accuracy and momentum. Own and track project deliverables; proactively identify risks and drive resolution to keep launches on schedule
  • Serve as the primary liaison between internal teams (Marketing, Creative, Regulatory, Packaging, Supply Chain) and external manufacturing partners.
  • Prepare assortment and shade proposals and development status/updates for internal meetings.

Quality, Compliance & Cost
  • Ensure all products meet regulatory requirements for target markets (US, EU, and others as applicable).
  • Partner with Regulatory and Quality teams to resolve formula or stability issues efficiently.
  • Work within established COGs targets

Qualifications
Required
  • 5+ years of product development experience specifically in color cosmetics (e.g., lip, eye, face, or multi-category) - required.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience in formula development and color/shade development - from brief to bulk approval.
  • Proven track record building cohesive, commercially successful shade ranges across diverse skin tones.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.
  • Proficiency in reading and interpreting formulas, stability data, and lab reports.
  • Experience working directly with international contract manufacturers and third-party labs, including managing relationships across time zones and cultures.
  • Ability and willingness to travel internationally as needed
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and cross-functional collaboration skills

ColourPop offers a competitive benefits package including vacation time, health benefits, 401k + match, paid holidays, product discounts and more. The salary range for this position is $100k-$120k DOE + discretionary annual bonus.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at ColourPop Cosmetics LLC

More Retail & Consumer Goods Jobs

Find similar Manager, Product Development jobs: