Manager, Product Development (Formulation)

Our Story

Launched in 2015, Sol de Janeiro is a globally recognized, award-winning beauty brand, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s beauty rituals, warmth, and spirit. Sol de Janeiro delivers a sensory experience beloved by multi-generational consumers worldwide, with clinically proven results, transformative textures, and transportive fragrances.

Headquartered in New York and launched as a digitally native brand, we have expanded globally with teams in Paris, London, and Germany. Our commitment to excellence has earned high-profile honors, including being named one of TIME100’s 2024 Most Influential Companies, Fast Company’s 2024 World's Most Innovative Companies, and WWD Beauty Inc’s Power Brands of 2024, underscoring its leadership in the beauty industry and outstanding workplace. These accolades highlight our dedication to being a leading brand in the beauty industry and an exceptional workplace.

What You’ll Do

The Manager, Product Development, leads the creation, optimization, and commercialization of formulas from concept through production. This role ensures that products consistently meet brand expectations, performance standards, cost targets, quality requirements, and regulatory compliance. The Manager collaborates closely with Marketing, Packaging, Procurement, Regulatory, Operations, Quality, external manufacturers, and suppliers to deliver innovative products with strong technical execution, meticulous documentation, and scalable formulation processes.

What You'll be Working On

Formula Development & Commercialization

The Manager directs end-to-end formulation development for new products and reformulations, ensuring formulas deliver on performance, stability, safety, manufacturability, quality, cost, and consumer experience.

Cross-Functional Project Leadership

Collaboration across functions is vital. The Manager partners with Marketing, Packaging, Procurement, Regulatory, Operations, and Quality to translate concepts into viable formulas, manage technical risks, support project timelines, and drive execution from concept through commercialization.

External Manufacturer & Supplier Partnership

Works closely with contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers to develop, test, refine, and scale formulas, ensuring alignment on quality, cost, feasibility, and production readiness.

Specification & Quality Management

Defines, reviews, and aligns formula specification ranges with suppliers prior to production. Ensures capture of all required technical data for formulas.

Innovation & Technology Development

Identifies new ingredients, technologies, and formulation approaches that build future innovation pipelines, drive ingredient storytelling, and contribute to unique Sol de Janeiro product experiences.

Success Measures

Completion of technical documentation and supplier records.

Completion of key milestones for formula development.

Strong execution throughout the product development process, from concept through production.

On-time delivery of innovation and reformulation projects.

Delivery of innovative ideas through supplier partnerships, new ingredients, and future-facing technologies.

Achievement of formula cost targets.

Continuous improvement of workflows, documentation, and core product performance.

Effective management of technical risks with minimal impact to launch timelines.

Strong cross-functional partnership and consistent demonstration of Sol de Janeiro values.

Must Haves

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, Biology, or related field.

5+ years of product development/formulation experience within beauty, personal care, skincare, haircare, body care, fragrance, or related consumer products.

Experience partnering with contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.

In-depth knowledge of formulation, scale-up, and manufacturing processes.

Demonstrated success leading products from concept through commercialization.

Understanding of cosmetic regulatory requirements and product compliance.

Ability to clearly communicate technical information to non-technical teams.

Demonstrated organizational agility—effective working independently and as part of a team.

Proven project management and cross-functional leadership skills.

Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.

Some travel required.

Hybrid working environment; must be willing to be in-office three times per week.

#LI-hybrid

Salary Range$100,000—$120,000 USD

Why Sol de Janeiro?

Competitive salary and bonus program for full-time team members

Flexible hybrid work environment with opportunities for collaboration and growth

Inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and celebrates individuality

The chance to be part of a fast-growing, award-winning global beauty brand

The information contained herein is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee, as these may change or new ones may be assigned at any time.

Sol de Janeiro is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

Requests for accommodation due to a disability or any other protected characteristic can be made at any stage of the recruitment process and during employment by contacting our People Experience Team at careers@soldejaneiro.com.

https://soldejaneiro.com/pages/privacy-policy-sol-de-janeiro