Formulation Product Development Lead - Beauty & OTC

L&R Distributors, Inc.; Encinitas, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

L&R Distributors is seeking a Product Development Manager of Formulation to lead high-impact product development initiatives across beauty categories. This hands-on role drives concepts through commercialization, including formulation, testing, and scale-up with contract manufacturers.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in formulation development, OTC and SPF products, regulatory alignment, and cross-functional leadership to deliver consumer-ready products at scale.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field.
• 8+ years of product development experience in beauty, personal care, and/or OTC categories.
• Demonstrated experience with OTC drug products and SPF formulations.
• Strong background working with contract manufacturers.
• Proven ability to manage complex development timelines, testing programs, and budgets.
• Preferred to have experience supporting major retail customers.
• Familiarity with shelf-ready packaging and retail quality expectations.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Packaging, Regulatory, and Quality teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive formulation development to achieve targeted performance, sensory attributes, appearance, and claims.
• Coordinate validation, and commercialization readiness across product lines.
• Manage timelines, critical paths, and cost considerations for development and scale-up.
• Drive lab, pilot, and full-scale production in partnership with contract manufacturers.
• Ensure smooth transition into manufacturing with consistent quality and supply.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or related field

Job description

L&R Distributors is seeking a Product Development Manager of Formulation to lead high-impact product development initiatives across beauty categories. This hands-on role drives concepts through commercialization, including formulation, testing, and scale-up with contract manufacturers.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in formulation development, OTC and SPF products, regulatory alignment, and cross-functional leadership to deliver consumer-ready products at scale.