Formulation chemist Jobs in Pasadena, CA

Description

SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, shapewear, and essentials. We are setting new standards by delivering technically innovative, comfort-driven products with elevated design for everybody.

At the intersection of culture, innovation, and commerce, SKIMS is a global brand redefining modern apparel. Our teams are built on creativity, collaboration, and operational excellence, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive, high-performance environment where ambitious, curious, and values-driven individuals can do the best work of their careers.

As SKIMS expands into Beauty, we are bringing the same solutions-driven philosophy, elevated aesthetic, and commitment to innovation to a new category. SKIMS Beauty is building a modern beauty business designed to challenge convention and create highly considered, performance-driven products with global relevance.

Key Responsibilities

SKIMS Beauty is seeking a highly organized, commercially minded Product Development Manager to manage the development and execution of beauty products from initial concept through commercialization and launch.

This role will be a critical connector across Creative, Brand, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, and external manufacturing partners, ensuring products are developed to the highest standards while meeting cost, quality, timing, and brand objectives.

The ideal candidate has strong beauty product development experience, understands the complexities of formulation and packaging development, and thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. They are equally comfortable managing the details of a development timeline and partnering strategically with cross-functional teams to bring an ambitious product vision to life.

Responsibilities

Product Development & Commercialization

• Manage end-to-end product development across assigned SKIMS Beauty categories, from initial concept and brief through formulation, testing, packaging, production, and launch.
• Translate creative and brand concepts into actionable product development briefs, specifications, timelines, and deliverables.
• Partner with laboratories, contract manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and other external vendors to develop innovative, high-performing products.
• Manage formula submissions, evaluations, feedback, revisions, approvals, and final standards.
• Ensure products deliver against agreed performance, sensorial, aesthetic, quality, cost, and consumer expectations.
• Maintain detailed product specifications, development records, approvals, and product documentation throughout the development lifecycle.

Innovation & Product Strategy

• Partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to identify product opportunities and support the development of the SKIMS Beauty innovation pipeline.
• Stay closely connected to emerging beauty trends, ingredients, formulations, technologies, packaging innovation, and consumer behavior.
• Conduct competitive product analysis and identify opportunities for differentiation within the beauty landscape.
• Build strong relationships with laboratories and manufacturing partners to identify new technologies, ingredients, capabilities, and innovation opportunities.
• Balance trend awareness with SKIMS' distinct product philosophy to develop products with long-term relevance rather than simply reacting to the market.

Packaging Development

• Partner closely with Creative and Packaging teams to develop primary and secondary packaging that delivers against brand vision, functionality, sustainability, cost, and manufacturing requirements.
• Manage packaging sampling, compatibility, functionality, testing, approvals, and production readiness.
• Work with suppliers to identify solutions to technical or manufacturing challenges while protecting the creative intent of the product.
• Ensure formula and packaging components are fully compatible and meet established quality standards.

Project & Timeline Management

• Own detailed development timelines across multiple products and launches simultaneously.
• Establish key milestones and proactively identify risks that could impact launch timing, cost, quality, or production.
• Drive accountability across internal teams and external partners to ensure development remains on schedule.
• Communicate development status, risks, decisions, and critical next steps clearly to key stakeholders.
• Navigate changing priorities and accelerated timelines while maintaining a high standard of execution.

Costing & Vendor Management

• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to manage product cost targets and margin objectives.
• Request, analyze, and negotiate vendor quotations and identify opportunities to optimize cost without compromising product quality or brand positioning.
• Build strong relationships with contract manufacturers, laboratories, component suppliers, and other development partners.
• Monitor vendor performance across quality, service, innovation, cost, and delivery.
• Support sourcing and onboarding of new development and manufacturing partners as the business scales.

Quality, Regulatory & Compliance

• Partner with Regulatory and Quality teams to ensure products meet applicable testing, safety, claims, labeling, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate required product testing, including stability, compatibility, safety, performance, and other category-specific testing.
• Support global product development requirements as SKIMS Beauty expands across international markets.
• Ensure final formulas, components, specifications, artwork, and product standards are approved prior to production.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as a central point of coordination between Product Development, Creative, Brand, Marketing, Packaging, Operations, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Quality, and Finance.
• Partner with Marketing and Brand teams to provide accurate product information, claims support, ingredient stories, and product details for launch materials.
• Support launch readiness and ensure key stakeholders have the information and assets required to successfully bring products to market.
• Build collaborative relationships across the organization while maintaining clear ownership and accountability for development milestones.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• 5+ years of product development experience within beauty, cosmetics, skincare, body care, fragrance, or a closely related consumer category.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end beauty product development and commercialization process.
• Experience working directly with beauty laboratories, contract manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and component vendors.
• Working knowledge of formulation development, packaging development, product testing, manufacturing, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to manage multiple product development projects and complex timelines simultaneously.
• Strong project management skills with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Experience managing product costing and working toward target margins.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across creative, technical, and commercial teams.
• Highly proficient in Excel, project management tools, and product development documentation.
• Experience developing products for global markets is strongly preferred.
• Experience within a high-growth, founder-led, or entrepreneurial beauty business is a plus.

What You Bring

• Product obsession: You care deeply about the details and understand what separates a good beauty product from an exceptional one.
• Operational rigor: You create structure, maintain visibility, and keep complex development programs moving forward.
• Creative problem-solving: You find solutions when formulation, packaging, cost, or timing challenges arise.
• Commercial thinking: You understand that innovation must balance creativity, consumer relevance, scalability, margin, and speed to market.
• Strong collaboration: You can build trusted relationships with creative teams, technical experts, vendors, and senior stakeholders.
• Ownership: You anticipate issues, drive decisions, and take responsibility for getting products across the finish line.
• Agility: You are comfortable operating in a rapidly evolving business where priorities can shift quickly.
• High standards: You have an exceptional eye for detail and a commitment to delivering products worthy of the SKIMS brand.

SKIMS Core Competencies

Drive Results
Takes ownership, moves with urgency, and consistently delivers against ambitious goals while maintaining exceptional standards.

Foster Collaboration
Builds strong cross-functional relationships and brings creative, technical, and commercial partners together to achieve the best possible product outcome.

Shape the Future
Brings curiosity, innovation, and forward-looking thinking to product development, helping SKIMS Beauty identify new opportunities and establish a differentiated position within the global beauty market.

Benefits, Culture and Perks

Benefits and Culture

• Up to 100% Company Paid Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)
• Kind Body Fertility Benefits
• 401(k) savings plan with up to 4% match
• Unlimited PTO
• Full Access to LinkedIn learning
• Employee Discounts

Perks (HQ Location)

• Free weekly catered lunch at HQ – M/T/W/Th
• Dog-Friendly office on a Thursday and Friday
• Free Swag Giveaways
• Annual Holiday Party
• Annual Summer Party
• Invitations to pop-ups and other company events
• Complimentary daily office snacks and beverages

SKIMS is a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear and shapewear.

We are setting new standards by providing solutions for every body. From technically constructed shapewear that enhances your curves to underwear that stretches to twice its size, our goal is to consistently innovate on the past and advance our industry for the future.