Product Research & Innovation Lead

Jobtailor; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Carlsbad, CA seeks an experienced R&D professional to deliver differentiated skincare technologies and consumer-relevant products. You will influence innovation strategy and build science-based pipelines across platforms.

The role requires translating scientific insights into practical product concepts, leading cross-functional teams, and validating claims through clinical evaluation and sensorial testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific discipline.
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) preferred.
• 5–8 years of experience in product innovation or scientific affairs in skincare or OTC industries.
• Strong knowledge of skin biology, ingredient technologies, and clinical evaluation methodologies.
• Ability to translate emerging technologies into commercially viable product innovations.
• Understanding of global claims substantiation and regulatory frameworks across major regions.

Responsibilities

• Assess and deliver differentiated, scientifically credible, consumer-relevant technologies and products.
• Influence and support development and execution of the innovation strategy and pipeline.
• Build a science-based, consumer-centric pipeline across multigenerational platforms.
• Identify and assess high-performing ingredients with clear mechanisms of action and demonstrated efficacy.
• Build opportunity landscapes using consumer, technological, scientific, competitive, and market insights.
• Lead product evaluation, sensorial testing, and consumer validation activities.
• Translate scientific findings into clinically meaningful product benefits.
• Lead scientific claims substantiation and support global claims validation.
• Represent R&D during stage-gate governance reviews and portfolio meetings.

Skills

Product Innovation

Scientific Claims Substantiation

Regulatory Compliance

Ingredient Efficacy Evaluation

Cross-Functional Leadership

Clinical Evaluation Methodologies

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Biology

Master's Degree or PhD Preferred

Tools

Feasibility Assessment Tools

Sensorial Testing Platforms

Claims Library Management Systems

Job description

• Assess and deliver differentiated, scientifically credible, consumer-relevant technologies and products
• Influence and support development and execution of the innovation strategy and pipeline
• Build a science-based, consumer-centric pipeline across multigenerational platforms
• Identify and assess high-performing ingredients with clear mechanisms of action and demonstrated efficacy
• Build opportunity landscapes using consumer, technological, scientific, competitive, and market insights
• Participate in due diligence for licensing and business development opportunities
• Partner with Global Marketing and regional teams on competitive assessments and innovation briefs
• Generate and refine product concepts using scientific, technology, formulation, and claims-based approaches
• Assess technical, scientific, and regulatory feasibility during feasibility and development stages
• Support product development and qualification activities
• Drive scientific concepts, hero ingredients, technology platforms, and claims strategies cross-functionally
• Lead product evaluation, sensorial testing, and consumer validation activities
• Support product claims, usage instructions, and artwork content
• Create and maintain product claims dossiers and a claims library
• Translate scientific findings into clinically meaningful product benefits
• Lead scientific claims substantiation and support global claims validation
• Support scientific communications, HCP toolkits, training materials, videos, FAQs, and launch content
• Represent R&D during stage-gate governance reviews, Brand Committee, and Portfolio Committee meetings

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific discipline
• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) preferred
• 5–8 years of experience in product innovation, research and development, product development, or scientific affairs within the skincare, cosmetics, aesthetics, consumer health, or OTC industries
• Strong knowledge of skin biology, ingredient technologies, cosmetic and OTC product development, and clinical evaluation methodologies
• Demonstrated experience translating emerging technologies, scientific discoveries, and consumer insights into commercially viable product innovations
• Understanding of global claims substantiation requirements and regulatory frameworks across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and China
• Track record of developing and launching innovative skincare, cosmetic, aesthetics, or OTC products in a global organization
• Experience evaluating ingredient efficacy, mechanisms of action, clinical data, and scientific literature
• Strong project leadership skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and cross-functional alignment
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
• Exceptional verbal, written, and technical communication skills
• External applicants must be eligible to work in the United States
• This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in product innovation and development within the skincare and cosmetics industries, with a strong focus on scientific claims substantiation and regulatory compliance. Capable of translating scientific insights into commercially viable product strategies while leading cross-functional teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Product Innovation
• Scientific Claims Substantiation
• Regulatory Compliance
• Ingredient Efficacy Evaluation
• Cross-Functional Leadership

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Product Development
• Clinical Evaluation Methodologies
• Ingredient Technologies
• Skin Biology Knowledge
• Consumer Insights Translation
• Market Insights Analysis
• Feasibility Assessment
• Claims Library Management
• Sensorial Testing
• Product Qualification Activities

Soft Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Decision-Making
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology
• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
• Bachelor's Degree in Cosmetic Science
• Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Master's Degree or PhD Preferred

Industry Keywords

• Skincare
• Cosmetics
• Aesthetics
• Consumer Health
• OTC Products
• Global Claims Substantiation
• Regulatory Frameworks
• Market Insights
• Innovation Strategy
• Product Concepts