New Product Development Specialist

Lion and Child; Mumbai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Lion & Child in Mumbai is seeking a hands-on Product Development & Sourcing Manager to research, develop, source, and launch innovative wellness and personal care products. You will work with formulators, R&D labs, and manufacturers to take ideas from concept to commercial production, ensuring cost, quality, and regulatory compliance.

This role demands 3+ years in related fields, strong negotiation and project management skills, and a passion for building new consumer brands.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, or manufacturing within wellness, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, or FMCG.
• Hands-on experience taking a wellness or personal care product from concept to production.
• Knowledge of procurement, MOQs, pricing, and supplier evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Research new product opportunities, ingredients, formulations, and trends in wellness and personal care.
• Develop product concepts across nutraceuticals, functional supplements, skincare, cosmetics, and personal care.
• Work with formulators, R&D laboratories, and manufacturers to develop and refine product formulations.
• Evaluate private-label, white-label, and custom formulation opportunities.
• Coordinate product sampling, testing, formulation improvements, and final specifications.
• Identify and evaluate contract manufacturers, formulation laboratories, ingredient suppliers, and packaging vendors in India.

Skills

Product development

Sourcing

R&D commercialization

Manufacturing coordination

Education

Food Technology / Cosmetic Science / Biotechnology

Job description

Product Development & Sourcing Manager - Wellness & Personal Care

Company: Lion & Child

Job Type: Full-time

Experience: 3+ years

About Us

Lion & Child is a Mumbai-based creative and consumer products company building a portfolio of brands across wellness, personal care, and lifestyle.

We're looking for a hands-on Product Development & Sourcing Manager to help us research, develop, source, and launch innovative consumer wellness products.

This role is ideal for someone who understands how products are made, has experience working with manufacturers and formulation partners, and enjoys taking ideas from concept to commercial production.

Key Responsibilities

Product Research & Development

• Research new product opportunities, ingredients, formulations, and emerging trends in wellness and personal care.
• Develop product concepts across nutraceuticals, functional supplements, skincare, cosmetics, and personal care.
• Work with formulators, R&D laboratories, and manufacturers to develop and refine product formulations.
• Evaluate private-label, white-label, and custom formulation opportunities.
• Coordinate product sampling, testing, formulation improvements, and final product specifications.
• Identify and evaluate contract manufacturers, formulation laboratories, ingredient suppliers, and packaging vendors in India.
• Build relationships with reliable manufacturing and sourcing partners.
• Obtain and compare quotations, negotiate pricing, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and production timelines.
• Assess manufacturers based on quality, capabilities, compliance, pricing, and scalability.
• Coordinate product sampling, supplier selection, and the transition to commercial manufacturing.

Commercial & Operational Execution

• Take ownership of product development timelines from initial concept through commercial production.
• Evaluate product costs, margins, manufacturing feasibility, and scalability.
• Coordinate product testing, quality assurance, stability assessments, and regulatory requirements.
• Work with qualified specialists to ensure compliance with applicable FSSAI, cosmetics, and other relevant regulations.
• Collaborate with the business and creative teams on packaging, pricing, and product launch readiness.
• Help establish scalable processes for developing and launching future products.

Who We're Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in product development, sourcing, R&D commercialization, or manufacturing within wellness, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, or FMCG.
• We're open to candidates specializing in either nutraceuticals and functional wellness or skincare and personal care. Experience across multiple categories is an advantage, but not a requirement.
• Hands-on experience taking at least one consumer wellness or personal care product from concept through sampling, manufacturer selection, and commercial production.
• Direct experience working with contract manufacturers, formulation laboratories, or ingredient suppliers.
• Strong understanding of product development, sourcing, costing, MOQs, and production timelines.
• Familiarity with product formulation processes, quality testing, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong research, negotiation, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working independently and managing multiple product development projects.
• Entrepreneurial, resourceful, and excited about building new consumer brands.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with nutraceuticals, nootropics, functional supplements, adaptogens, or hydration products.
• Existing relationships with contract manufacturers, R&D laboratories, or ingredient suppliers in India.
• Knowledge of FSSAI regulations and relevant cosmetics and supplement compliance requirements.
• Educational background in Food Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, or a related discipline.

Why Join Lion & Child?

We're building new consumer brands from the ground up, and you'll have the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the products we bring to market.

You’ll work directly with the founder, collaborate with a growing team, and take ownership of product development and sourcing across multiple categories.

We're looking for someone who's practical, commercially minded, and excited about turning ideas into real products.

Compensation

Competitive compensation based on experience and capabilities.