Product Development Manager – Makeup

RGIT Australia; Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous annual leave

Wellbeing support

Gym membership discount

Pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Exclusive skincare collection

Family/friend discount 50%

Annual product allowance

Free breakfast bar

Retailer discounts

Social events

Wellbeing treats

On-site parking

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Tropic is expanding its makeup portfolio and seeks an experienced Product Development Manager to own end-to-end development from concept through launch. You’ll collaborate with Founder, Product Innovation, R&D, Operations, and Marketing to drive on-time, on-budget, high-quality launches.

Role requires strong project management, packaging development, and compliance with UK and international cosmetics regulations.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years in makeup product development or cosmetic product management.
• Proven end-to-end makeup product development and launches experience.
• Strong project management skills across multiple concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end development of multiple makeup products from concept to launch.
• Create and maintain detailed project plans in Asana with milestones and risks.
• Own critical path, manage dependencies, and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Lead packaging development, tooling, artwork approvals, and supplier relationships.
• Negotiate packaging costs, MOQs and commercial terms.
• Oversee formulation development, testing, and quality.
• Champion innovation across formulations and ingredients while monitoring trends.
• Ensure products meet UK/international cosmetic compliance with R&D.
• Support testing programs, claims substantiation and launch readiness.
• Communicate updates, timelines and budgets to stakeholders.

Skills

Makeup product development

Project management

Asana

Packaging development

Formulation labs

Stakeholder management

PM qualification

Cosmetics experience

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Tools

Asana

Job description

Tropic is on an exciting journey to expand its award-winning beauty portfolio into makeup. With our first launches underway and an ambitious pipeline of innovation ahead,we'relooking for an experiencedProduct Development Manager – Makeupto take ownership of the end-to-end product development process and ensure projects are delivered successfully from concept through to launch.

This is a highly collaborative role that combines product development, projectmanagementand cross-functional leadership.You'llwork closely with our Founder, Product Innovation, R&D, Operations,Marketingandour labto keep multiple development projects moving, balancing creativity with commercial priorities,timelinesand quality.

As the central point of coordination for our makeup development pipeline, you'll ensure products aredelivered on time, within budget and to the exceptionally high standards Tropic is known for. You'llalso support the development process and help to bring innovative, high-performing products to market.

As the category continues to grow,you'llplayan important rolein shaping ways of working, strengthening supplier partnerships and contributing to the long-term success of Tropic's makeup portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end development of multiple makeup products, from concept approval through to commercial launch.
• Create andmaintaindetailed project plans in Asana, ensuring milestones, actions,risksand dependencies are accurately tracked while coordinating cross-functional teams across Product Innovation, R&D, Packaging, Operations, Supply Chain and Marketing.
• Own the critical path for all makeup development projects, ensuring risks, dependencies and decisions areidentifiedearly and managed proactively to deliver successful launches.
• Lead the development of primary and secondary packaging, working closely with the Design team,suppliersand manufacturers. Manage tooling,componentsourcing, artworkapprovalsand packaging specifications, while building strong supplier relationships to ensure commerciallyviable, brand-alignedand launch-ready solutions.
• Negotiate pricing, minimum order quantities (MOQs) and commercial terms with packaging suppliers to achieve the best balance of innovation,qualityand value.
• Oversee formulation development, producttestingand evaluations to ensure products meet Tropic'shigh standardsfor quality,performanceand customer experience.
• Champion innovation across formulations, textures, shades,packagingand ingredients while keeping up to date with market trends and competitor activity.
• Partner with R&Dto ensure products meet UK and international cosmetic compliance requirements.
• Support testing programmes, claims substantiation and launch readiness activities.
• Prepare and communicate project updates, timelines,budgetsand recommendations to key stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Continuously review and improve product development processes, implementing best practices to build a scalable,efficientand commercially successful makeup development function.

What We're Looking For

We'relooking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced product development environment and enjoys bringing complex projects together through excellent organisation,collaborationand attention to detail.

You'llbring:

• At least 5 years' experience in makeup product development or cosmetic product management.
• Proven experience managing the end-to-end development and launch of makeup products.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
• Experience using project management software (ideally Asana) to manage projects,timelinesand cross-functional workflows.
• Experience leading packaging development, including tooling, supplier management, artworkapprovalsand commercial negotiations.
• Experience working with formulation laboratories,manufacturersand packaging suppliers.
• Excellent organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong communicationand stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across multiple teams.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience balancing innovation, quality,timelinesand cost to deliver commercially successful products.
• A passion for makeup, beauty innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
• A recognised Project Management qualification (such as PRINCE2, Agile, APM or equivalent).
• Experience working within premium beauty or cosmetics brands.
• Knowledge of UK and international cosmetic regulations.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior team members.

What We Offer

• Employment Type:Full-time, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm.
• Location:Tropic HQ is a short walk from Beddington Lane Tram Stop, with direct links to East Croydon and Wimbledon.
• Hybrid Working:Enjoy a blend of office (4 days) and remote (1 day) working.
• Benefits:Generous annual leave, 24/7 wellbeing support, discounted gym membership, pension scheme, enhanced maternity/paternity leave (available after a qualifying period), exclusive skincare collection, 50% discount for family and friends, annual product allowance, free breakfast bar, access to retailer discounts, social events, wellbeing treats, on-site parking and a Cycle to Work scheme.
• Start Date:Immediate.

About Tropic

Susie, our Founder and CEO, started Tropic Skincare as a teenager, selling homemade body scrubs at Greenwich Market to help her mum pay the bills. She sold out on her first day, and the incredibleresponse made her realise she had started something quite special. We still sell that iconic body scrub, and it sits alongside an extensive range of award-winning skincare and beauty products that have made us one of the UK's fastest-growing beauty businesses.

Our brand is certified vegan, cruelty-free andCarbonNeutral. and our infinite purpose is to create a healthier, greener, more empowered world.

Andthat'swhere you come in!

We'relooking for creative and ambitious people who share our vision and get excited about beautythat'sboth innovative and sustainable. Ifyou'repassionate about beauty and have a genuine desire to empower communities across the globe, you could be a great fit.

Tropic's Commitment to Equal Opportunities

Our team is as diverse as it is talented because at Tropic, we go the extra mile to cultivate a culture of respect and belonging. We value every candidate, respect protectedcharacteristicsand never discriminate.

We also provide reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities at every stage of the hiring process, so if this is something you need, please let our Recruitment team know at the earliest opportunity.

Ultimately, themost important thing for us is hiring the best person for the job. We focus on skills,experienceand qualifications to ensure our recruitment process is fair, inclusive and provides every candidate with a positive experience.

Company Overview

We’re on a mission to do good beyond beauty, leading the charge with clinically tested formulas that are both ethical and effective. We believe that with an Infinite Purpose, real change happens. Susie, our Founder and CEO, started Tropic Skincare as a teenager, selling homemade body scrubs at Greenwich Market to help her mum pay the bills. She sold out on her first day, and the incredible response made her realise she had started something quite special. We still sell that iconic body scrub, and it sits alongside an extensive range of award-winning skincare and beauty products that have made us one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty businesses. Our brand is certified vegan, cruelty-free and CarbonNeutral, and our infinite purpose is to create a healthier, greener, more empowered world. And that’s where you come in! We’re looking for creative and ambitious people who share our vision and get excited about beauty that’s both innovative and sustainable. If you’re passionate about skincare and have a genuine desire to empower communities across the globe, you could be a great fit.