Sr. Manager, Technical Product Development

CLEARSTEM is hiring a Sr. Manager, Technical Product Development to ensure its skincare products are safe, substantiated, commercially sound, and compliant with its ingredient standards. The role leads technical ingredient and formula evaluation, testing and claims substantiation, science-to-consumer communication, and regulatory and quality support.

Responsibilities:

• Own technical evaluation and partner with contract manufacturers on the selection of raw materials for new products and reformulations, balancing efficacy, safety, cost, and story
• Screen every ingredient and formula against CLEARSTEM's pore-clogging ingredient standards, retailer restricted-substance lists, and in-scope global regulatory restrictions
• Review supplier technical documentation (specs, CoAs, SDS, certifications) and qualify new or alternate raw material sources with contract manufacturers
• Evaluate emerging ingredients and technologies for proven results, safety, regulatory status, and consumer appeal
• Identify cost-saving raw material and reformulation opportunities with contract manufacturers, Operations, and Finance
• Execute the testing strategy for each product with the end claim in mind — stability, safety, and clinical or consumer perception studies
• Review protocols, manage third-party labs and CROs, and analyze the results with a critical eye
• Define technical pass/fail criteria and provide technical sign-off at each stage gate
• Own the claims substantiation library so every claim can be backed up on request
• Turn scientific data and test results into clear, consumer-understandable claims that are accurate, compliant, and compelling
• Partner with Marketing, Creative, and Education from the brief stage to shape claims strategy — what we want to say, and what we need to prove it
• Build claims briefs and ingredient story guides, and equip Sales, Professional, and Customer Care teams with simple talking points
• Partner with the Sr. Director of Innovation to review packaging and component copy and any go-to-market content across printed and digital platforms
• Support compliance with MoCRA and other applicable global regulations
• In partnership with our Regulatory firm, review labeling for accuracy — INCI declarations, Drug Facts, warnings, and net contents
• Support retail and international market entry documentation and retailer compliance submissions
• Partner with the Sr. Director of Innovation and Customer Service Manager on specifications, complaint and adverse event investigations, and corrective actions
• Monitor regulatory changes and translate their impact into clear recommendations
• Flag technical, regulatory, and supply risks early, with clear cost and timeline trade-offs for leadership

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a science discipline — Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry, Cosmetic Science, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in skincare, beauty, or personal care product development, R&D, regulatory, or claims
• Proven experience developing and substantiating product claims, and partnering with Marketing to bring them to life
• Experience moving a formula from lab batch to pilot to first production run with the contract manufacturer
• Hands-on experience selecting ingredients and managing testing with third-party labs
• Working knowledge of FDA cosmetic and OTC regulations, MoCRA, and FTC advertising standards
• Strong business acumen — comfortable with cost, margin, and timeline trade-offs
• An exceptional communicator who can make complex science simple, accurate, and engaging
• A problem solver who thinks outside the box to prioritize the goals of the business
• A translator — equally at home in a lab report, a margin conversation, and a marketing brainstorm
• Evidence-driven, with the creativity to find the most compelling true thing to say
• Collaborative and solution driven — you find the compliant path to "yes" rather than just saying no
• Risk aware, with the judgment to know which risks stop a launch and which can be managed
• Flexible and hands-on — energized by a startup pace
• Detail oriented, organized, and passionate about skincare science and products that deliver real results
• Master's Degree or advanced certificate in relevant areas
• Experience across skincare, haircare, and OTC drug products
• Experience writing or reviewing consumer education, ingredient stories, or marketing copy
• Familiarity with international cosmetic regulations (EU, UK, Canada) and retailer clean-beauty standards
• Experience in founder-led, DTC, startup, or high-growth beauty brands
• An existing network of raw material suppliers, testing labs, and CROs
• Proficiency with Asana or similar project management tools