Research & Development Manager, Product Lifecycle

Who We AreJohn Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) is recognized worldwide for developing and marketing innovative hair and skin care products since 1980. Weve been serving the professional beauty industry with salon-quality hair care products, styling tools and professional hair color through our family of brands including Paul Mitchell, MITCH, Awapuhi Wild Ginger, Tea Tree, Paul Mitchell Tools, Neuro, The Demi, Paul Mitchell the Color, Blonde, and Color XG.We were the first professional hair care company to take a stand against animal testing and continue our strong commitment to giving back, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes both domestically and internationally. Sustainability has always been a priority, and we are committed to making our company operations climate neutral to preserve the beauty of the world around us.Who You Are:You are a skilled and enthusiastic, high-performing professional who is passionate about hair care and wants to positively contribute to the growth of our iconic brand as well as to our people first culture.About the RoleWe are seeking an R&D Manager, Product Lifecycle, to lead the management and optimization of the existing product portfolio. This role is responsible for driving reformulation initiatives, cost optimization, compliance updates, and ensuring consistent product performance across all current line items. The ideal candidate brings deep hands-on reformulation expertise combined with a strong strategic mindset, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve product performance, cost structure, and claims within an existing portfolio. This role requires strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to translate technical decisions into business impact.This role is fully on-site at our R&D site in Santa Clarita, CA. It requires up to 10 % travel for Commercial Manufacturer visits, validation, or lifecycle support.What You will Do :Lead the execution of reformulation initiatives across the existing product portfolioIdentify and drive opportunities for cost optimization (COGS), performance improvement, and product upgradesManage lifecycle pipeline prioritization, ensuring alignment with business, regulatory, and operational needsEnsure product performance, quality, and consistency across batches, markets, and manufacturing sitesEnsure all reformulations maintain or improve product claims and consumer-relevant performanceProactively identify opportunities for new claims, performance enhancements, and portfolio upgradesLead compliance-driven formula changes and regulatory updates across global marketsPartner closely with Procurement, Regulatory, Quality, Packaging, and Operations to deliver changes effectivelyOversee technically packaging updates and compatibility to ensure product integritySupport SKU rationalization and portfolio optimization decisionsLead and develop chemists and lab techs, building strong reformulation and technical capability within the teamAI-driven insights and modern innovation approaches to accelerate development and decision-makingRequired Qualifications:Skills:Expertise in hands-on formulation of hair care or personal care products with an emphasis on reformulationProven track record of delivering reformulation projects tied to cost savings, compliance, and performance improvementStrong understanding of raw material functionality, cost drivers, and substitution strategiesDeep knowledge of surfactants, conditioning systems, emulsions, polymers, and rheology modifiersExperience transferring formulas from lab to manufacturing scale and troubleshooting scale-up challengesStrong understanding of global cosmetic regulations (US, EU preferred) and compliance-driven reformulationsDemonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects and competing prioritiesStrong business acumen with ability to connect technical decisions to financial and consumer impactExcellent communication skills with ability to translate technical data into clear business insightsStrong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skillsEducation:Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related field requiredExperience:10+ years of hands-on experience in formulation, developing hair care or personal care products from concept to commercialization with an emphasis on reformulation3+ years of experience leading and developing technical teamsPreferred Qualifications:Education:Masters degree preferredExperience:Experience in professional salon brandsExperience working with contract manufacturers and external partnersExperience supporting global product portfolios and launchesExperience with packaging compatibility and lifecycle managementWe are eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. If you think you would be a good fit for the position and our company, we invite you to apply.Working Conditions:Onsite in lab, office and warehouse environments with up to 10% travelCompetitive Compensation:The expected base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $160,000. The exact base salary is determined by various factors including geographic location, experience, skills, and education.Discretionary Bonus Plan: This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan, based on personal performance and company results.Comprehensive Benefits Package: In addition to base salary, JPMS offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company match, paid family leave, education-related programs, paid holidays, discretionary vacation time, and more.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment.Compensation details: 150000-160000 Yearly SalaryPI31ae9df3ba2c-26289-40423614