Sr Chemist or Product Development Manager

Propedix, Inc.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Option grants

Flexible work from home options

Health benefits

Job summary

Propedix, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Chemist or Product Development Manager to drive the development of new OTC dermatology products. This role involves hands-on research, project management, and coordination with various stakeholders to ensure product success.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related field, along with 5 to 12 years of industry experience in OTC pharmaceuticals or consumer health. The position offers a hybrid work option and flexible scheduling.

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of relevant industry experience for Sr. Chemist.
• 7 to 12 years experience for Product Development Manager.
• Experience in OTC pharmaceuticals or consumer health products.

Responsibilities

• Support development of anti-fungal and topical OTC products.
• Conduct chemical testing and review analytical data.
• Coordinate product development with project manager.

Skills

HPLC operation

Chemical analysis

Formulation development

Analytical instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related

Tools

HPLC

GC

FTIR

UV-Vis

Job description

Job Description – Sr. Chemist or Product Development Manager

About the Company: Propedix is a biopharma and consumer health company dedicated to advancing innovative treatments in healthcare. Our flagship product Dryello for Athletes Foot, featuring our breakthrough anti‑fungal and drying agent technology, launched in Q3 2025, and we have a pipeline of advanced OTC and Rx treatments in dermatology and health. Driven by strong research and development, we’re delivering the next generation of topical skin solutions.

Position: Sr. Chemist or Product Development Manager (30 hours per week for contract or Full time for W‑2 Postion )

Position Overview

The Chemist or Product Development Manager will play a key role in the research, development, testing, and commercialization of new OTC dermatology and anti‑fungal products, with an initial focus on next‑generation anti‑fungal sticks and related topical technologies. This position combines hands‑on scientific work with project management responsibilities and coordination with contract manufacturers, testing laboratories, and development partners. The position will work closely with the Director of Manufacturing, Project Manager, Chief Medical Officer, and Chair of the SAB.

Chemist, Product Development Manager Responsibilities

A. Product Development & Formulation Support

• Support development of new anti‑fungal and topical OTC products.
• Manage formulation development, prototype evaluation, and product optimization.
• Coordinate laboratory testing and stability studies of products in development.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and technical documentation.

B. Chemical Analysis & Testing

• Conduct and oversee chemical and physical testing of raw materials and finished products.
• Review analytical data generated by third‑party laboratories.
• Assist in development and validation of analytical methods.

C. New Product – Project Management

• Work with Company’s project manager to ensure product development projects are properly documented, evaluated, tracked from concept through commercialization.
• Coordinate activities among CMOs, testing laboratories, and internal stakeholders.
• Investigate product quality issues and support root‑cause analyses.

D. External Partner Management

• Serve as a primary technical contact for CMOs and external laboratories.
• Coordinate sample submissions, testing schedules, and technical communications.

Location

Remote position with requirement to be in the lab at least 2 days per week (on average) and attend in‑person all‑day meetings on a monthly basis. Due to the in‑person lab requirements, candidates should reside in either a) Northern Colorado (Denver–Fort Collins corridor) or b) Southern California (Orange County or San Diego County).

Education / Experience / Necessary Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree required in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline. Advanced technical degree highly advantageous but not required.

Experience Requirements

Senior Chemist: 5 to 10 years of relevant industry experience.

Product Development Manager: 7 to 12 years of relevant industry experience including experience leading and managing new formulations development processes through the clinical development. Very strong preference in either position for experience in OTC pharmaceuticals, dermatology, topical products, cosmetics, consumer health products, or regulated manufacturing environments. Candidates without OTC, biopharma industry, consumer health/cosmetics and lab experience should not apply. Knowledge and familiarity FDA processes required.

Skills & Competencies

Analytical & Instrumentation Skills

• Proficient in operating and maintaining analytical instrumentation, including HPLC, GC, FTIR, UV‑Vis, Karl Fischer, viscometers, pH meters, analytical balances, and titration systems.
• Skilled in method execution, sample preparation, calibration, and troubleshooting of routine analytical equipment.
• Ability to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of raw materials, in‑process samples, and finished formulations.
• Experience interpreting chromatograms, spectra, and other analytical outputs to support formulation decisions and quality investigations.
• Familiarity with stability testing, degradation profiling, and analytical method verification.

Formulation Development & Product Creation

• Hands‑on experience compounding, batching, and preparing prototype formulations for topical, dermal, or personal‑care products.
• Ability to design and execute bench‑scale experiments, adjust formulation variables, and document results with scientific rigor.
• Skilled in evaluating physical and chemical properties (viscosity, hardness, spreadability, homogeneity, phase stability, pH, density).
• Experience scaling formulations from bench to pilot and supporting tech transfer to manufacturing.
• Understanding of ingredient functionality (emollients, emulsifiers, actives, preservatives, humectants, rheology modifiers) and how they influence product performance.

Testing, Characterization & Quality

• Ability to perform routine QC tests, including (but not limited to) appearance, viscosity, pH, specific gravity and melting point.
• Experience conducting accelerated and real‑time stability studies, including sample pulls, data trending, and reporting.
• Skilled in root‑cause analysis, deviation support, and contributing to CAPA investigations.
• Familiarity with raw material qualification, COA review, and supplier documentation.

Regulatory, GLP, and GMP Compliance

• Working knowledge of relevant Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for documentation, data integrity, and sample handling in a CPG or OTC environment, including batch record review, change control, and controlled documentation.
• Ability to follow SOPs, test methods, and controlled procedures with precision and traceability.
• Experience maintaining clean, safe, and compliant laboratory environments, including chemical handling, waste disposal, and equipment logs.

Technical Documentation & Communication

• Strong ability to write lab reports, formulation records, test methods, and development summaries suitable for QA and regulatory review.
• Skilled in maintaining batch sheets, and experimental documentation with audit‑ready accuracy.
• Ability to communicate technical findings to cross‑functional teams (R&D, QA, Regulatory, Manufacturing, Marketing).

Hours

Contract position is 30 hours per week. For both roles, expectations for availability is during company work hours of 8:30 to 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Mon to Fri. Hybrid. 2 to 3 days a week can be remote, home office. Flexible schedule with availability for meetings and project coordination during normal business hours.

Compensation

Salary ranges vary depending on experience level and if candidate is looking for part‑time or full‑time.

• Senior Chemist: Part Time (Contract): $60k to $72k annual salary; Full Time (Employee): $80k to $90k annual salary + benefits + initial LTI (Stock Option grants).
• Manager, Prod Dev: Part‑Time (Contract): $72k to $84k annual salary; Full‑Time: $90k to $110k annual salary + benefits + initial LTI (Stock Option grants).

Support and Supervisor

Reports directly to the CEO and works closely with CMO, Chair of SAB, technical, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and external development partners.

Flexible work from home options available.