Product Research & Innovation Lead - Alastin

Galderma Research & Development, LLC; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 136,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Galderma Research & Development, LLC in Carlsbad, CA seeks a Product Research & Innovation Lead to guide science‑driven product innovation at the brand level. You will translate technologies into consumer‑relevant skincare platforms, partner with Regulatory, Clinical, Marketing, and Legal teams, and oversee claims substantiation and market readiness.

The role emphasizes upstream discovery, project execution, and cross‑functional governance to drive business growth in a global dermatologist

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related scientific discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 5-8 years of experience in product innovation, research and development, product development, or scientific affairs in skincare/cosmetics/OTC.
• Strong knowledge of skin biology, ingredient technologies, cosmetic/OTC product development, and clinical evaluation methodologies.
• Experience translating emerging technologies and consumer insights into commercially viable product innovations.
• Understanding global claims substantiation requirements and regulatory frameworks across major markets.
• Proven track record developing and launching skincare/cosmetic/OTC products in a global organization.
• Experience evaluating ingredient efficacy, mechanisms of action, clinical data, and literature for development and claims.

Responsibilities

• Upstream Innovation – identify opportunities via insights, trends, licensing/due dilligence.
• Project Ideation – develop briefs with Marketing; generate concepts with scientific input.
• Project Execution – assess feasibility; support development and validation; coordinate cross-functional work.
• Product Launch & Scientific Communication – substantiate claims and compile dossiers; support marketing and medical teams.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership & Governance – represent R&D in governance reviews.

Skills

Skin biology

Ingredient technology

Project leadership

Scientific communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related discipline

Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) preferred

Job description

Whether it's the unique breadth of our integrated offering that covers Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology products; or our commitment to recognizing and rewarding people for the contribution they make - working here isn't like anywhere else. At Galderma, we actively give our teams reasons to believe in our ambition to become the leading dermatology company in the world. With us, you have the ultimate opportunity to gain new and challenging work experiences and create an unparalleled, direct impact.

Job Title: Product Research & Innovation Lead - Alastin Job Location: Carlsbad, CA

The Opportunity

This role is responsible for assessing and delivering differentiated, scientifically credible, and consumer-relevant technologies and products that enable the brand to remain competitive in a fast-moving and evolving landscape. Positioned at the intersection of science, consumer insights, and brand strategy, the role transforms emerging technologies and trends into sustainable, high-performing product innovations. The individual will proactively influence and support the development and execution of the innovation strategy and pipeline to drive business growth. As the R&D lead for innovation, the role is accountable for advancing brand and platform innovation initiatives and ensuring their successful translation into product development projects. This includes building a science-based, consumer-centric pipeline of innovative technologies and products across multigenerational platforms, identifying high-performing ingredients with clear mechanisms of action and demonstrated efficacy for further evaluation, and partnering closely with Regulatory, Clinical and Marketing teams to substantiate and validate product claims included in marketing materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Upstream Innovation – Build a strong knowledge base and opportunity landscape to inspire and fuel future innovation initiatives. Identify, assess, and advance key innovation opportunities by leveraging consumer, technological, and scientific insights, competitive intelligence, and market trends. Participate in due diligence activities for licensing and business development opportunities, as applicable.
• Project Ideation – Partner with Global Marketing and regional teams to conduct competitive assessments and develop innovation briefs aligned with business and consumer needs. Generate and refine innovative product concepts through scientific, technology, formulation, and claims‑based approaches. Collaborate with the Scientific team to propose differentiated and scientifically credible concepts. Identify and screen high‑performing ingredients with clear mechanisms of action and demonstrated efficacy for further cross‑functional evaluation.
• Project Execution – Assess technical, scientific, and regulatory feasibility during feasibility and development stages to ensure concepts can be successfully executed. Support product development and qualification activities to ensure alignment with project briefs and consumer expectations. Drive scientific concepts, hero ingredients, technology platforms, and claims strategies in close collaboration with Marketing, Regulatory, Safety, Product Development, Procurement, and Operations teams. Lead and coordinate product evaluation, sensorial testing, and consumer validation activities to support lead formula selection and market readiness. Support development of product claims, usage instructions, and artwork content.
• Product Launch & Scientific Communication – Evaluate and substantiate and create product claims dossiers using scientific documentation (including ingredient dossiers, publications and clinical study reports) while ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements. Creating and maintaining a claims library including supportive material to support regulatory, medical and marketing needs. Ensure claims strategies address both consumer and healthcare professional needs by translating scientific findings into clinically meaningful product benefits. Partner with Regulatory, HCP Marketing, Legal, Clinical and Marketing teams to lead scientific claims substantiation and support global claims validation. Support Marketing and Medical teams with scientific communications, including claims support, HCP toolkits, training materials, videos, FAQs, and launch content for regional markets.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership & Governance – Represent the R&D team at both platform and project levels during stage‑gate governance reviews, including Brand Committee and Portfolio Committee meetings.

Skills and Qualifications

• 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 identifying, assessing, and translating emerging technologies, scientific discoveries, and consumer insights into commercially viable product innovations.
• Solid understanding of global claims substantiation requirements and regulatory frameworks across key markets, including the United States, Europe, Asia‑Pacific, and China.
• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching innovative skincare, cosmetic, aesthetics, or OTC products in a global organization.
• Experience evaluating and interpreting ingredient efficacy, mechanisms of action, clinical data, and scientific literature to support product development and claims strategies.
• Strong project leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, drive cross‑functional alignment, and deliver results in a complex matrix environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capabilities, with the ability to balance scientific rigor, consumer needs, and business objectives.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and technical communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, including Marketing, Regulatory, Medical, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and build strong collaborative partnerships across functions, regions, and levels of the organization.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

This role requires the ability to perform standard office activities, including extended periods of computer use, participation in virtual and in‑person meetings, and collaboration across teams. Depending on business needs, occasional travel may be required. Work environments and physical requirements may vary based on the requirements of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Compensation

The target base salary range for this role is $108,800-$136,000 per year. This range reflects the anticipated compensation for the role. Where pay falls withing the range may vary based on many factors, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, skills, experience, education, certifications, location and applicable geographic pay zones, market conditions, internal equity and business considerations. Compensation decisions are made based on an assessment of the candidate’s qualifications and the totality of relevant factors. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible to participate in an annual short‑term incentive program, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements.

Benefits

Galderma offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) plan with employer match, paid time off, and other benefits, subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.

Work Authorization

This role does not offer sponsorship for work authorization. External applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

At Galderma, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace.

Galderma is the emerging pure‑play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body's largest organ - the skin - meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information go to www.galderma.com/careers