Beauty Contract Manufacturing: Project Manager Scale-Up

Debut Biotech

San Diego (CA)

On-site

USD 75,000 - 95,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Job summary

Debut Biotech seeks a Project Manager, Contract Manufacturing, to own the product lifecycle from tech transfer to final delivery with CM partners. You will coordinate with Sales, R&D, and CM teams to ensure on-time launches and maintain BOMs and quality reviews.

Based in San Diego with up to 25% travel; bachelor’s degree required; cosmetic science background a plus. 3+ years in formulation PM, NPD, or beauty/skincare sales and strong PM skills are essential; PMP certification is a plus.

Qualifications

3+ years of experience in formulation project management, NPD, or beauty/skincare sales with meaningful involvement in tech transfer, scale-up, and manufacturing execution.
Working knowledge of the beauty formulation development process including prototype iterations and stability testing; deep familiarity with tech transfer documentation, production scale-up, and regulatory/quality requirements.
Experience managing or coordinating BOM documentation through production, including tracking component changes, version control, and communicating updates to manufacturing and commercial stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to manage relationships across internal teams, external CM partners, and brand customers simultaneously; organized and proactive under pressure.
Turnkey manufacturing experience and knowledge of domestic/international shipping logistics is a plus.
PMP certification or equivalent project management training is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Own the project lifecycle from technology transfer to contract manufacturing partners, serving as the primary point of accountability across sales, R&D, and CM partners.
Own commercial and financial coordination with CM partners, including preliminary and final production pricing, quote review, cost changes, rework costs, PO alignment, payment dependencies.
Receive finalized formulations and technical packages from R&D and confirm production readiness with CM partners.
Lead technology transfer to CM, including scale-up trials, process validation, and pilot batch approval.
Manage the end-to-end CM relationship: partner selection and qualification, MOQ, lead-time negotiation, purchase orders, and production scheduling.
Own BOM documentation, version control, and raw material sourcing and traceability through manufacturing.
Work closely with Quality on in-process checks, batch review, COA approval prior to release.
Coordinate packaging, labeling, and finished-goods logistics to ensure on-time delivery to brand clients.
Monitor milestones, identify risks, and drive timely resolution to protect launch dates.
Partner with Account Manager to keep customers informed on status and milestones.