Head of R&D and Product Development

Head of R&D and Product Development (Consumer Goods)

• Head of R&D and Product Development
• New York, NY
• $270,000 to $320,000 + Competitive Bonus + LTIP + Benefits

One of the most talked about, fastest growing Personal Care Consumer Goods companies is now looking to hire a new Head of R&D and Product Development. Recently, the business has undergone explosive growth, from circa. $50M in $1bn in Sales in the last 5 years. This position will report into the C-suite, and oversee all R&D, Product Development, Formulation, and ESG and Regulatory. Additionally, the team will oversee a small, high-performing group of direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive end-to-end product development in collaboration with external labs and manufacturing partners, from initial concept through full commercialization.
• Oversee all technical aspects of formulation integrity, including stability, fragrance compatibility, safety, efficacy, claims substantiation, and regulatory documentation.
• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with contract manufacturers, raw material suppliers, and third-party testing facilities to advance formulation and business objectives.
• Plan and manage annual R&D budgets, covering development, testing, regulatory compliance, and claims activities.
• Define standards in partnership with Product Innovation and Customer Experience, providing guidance on technical inquiries and ensuring legally compliant responses.
• Lead sustainability reporting for carbon, waste, and water, managing upstream and downstream impact assessments across the value chain.
• Collaborate with packaging teams, formula labs, and manufacturing partners to enhance environmental profiles and implement circularity initiatives
• Develop and lead global regulatory strategies to ensure compliance across North America, EU, LATAM, APAC, and emerging markets.
• Direct safety and claims validation processes, including product testing, consumer trials, and documentation for worldwide launches.
• Guarantee that all marketing and communication assets digital, print, and packaging adhere to applicable regulatory standards.
• Perform comprehensive global risk assessments on ingredients, formulations, and claims in collaboration with Legal and Quality teams.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Over 10 years of progressive leadership in product development within beauty, cosmetics, and personal care sectors.
• Proven track record driving ESG reporting and sustainability initiatives in consumer product environments.
• Extensive knowledge of global regulatory frameworks, including EU, Canada, LATAM, and Asia.
• Skilled in managing external laboratories, contract manufacturers, and third-party testing partners.
• Strong analytical capabilities with expertise in interpreting ESG metrics and ingredient impact data.
• Experienced in building and scaling high-performing teams in dynamic, fast-paced, entrepreneurial settings.