Back to jobs

Senior Manager - Product Development

El Segundo, CA

Murad is the #1 dermatologist-founded brand with almost 40 years of innovation within the skincare and beauty space – all backed by top-tier beauty awards and a powerful foundation of 19 patents, grounded in Dr. Howard Murad’s science-first philosophy. Our team pushes for extraordinary and dares to take risks, while operating on respect, connection, and appreciation. 

About the Role:

Murad is a dermatologist developed, science-backed clinical skin care brand dedicated to improving people’s lives through clinical performance/efficacy to drive Dr. Murad’s vision for healthier skin and happier lives; Founded by Dr. Murad in 1989 and inspired by his lifelong commitment to science-backed wellness, we’re committed to conquering the global health epidemic of stress. “Stress less. Be imperfect. Live longer.”—Dr. Howard Murad, Founder

This position reports directly to the Senior Director of R&D/PD. The R&D team is a cohesive multi-functional team that drives product development through innovation and design. The R&D team consists of five teams, Product Development, Formulation, Packaging, Regulatory and Clinical teams and is responsible for all technical aspects of development from ideation to commercialization.

The Senior Manager of Product Development will lead end-to-end development of cosmetic products from concept through commercialization and managing clinical and consumer testing programs to substantiate product claims. This role requires cross-functional collaboration with R&D, regulatory, marketing, operations, and external testing partners to ensure timely and compliant delivery of high-performance, safe, and innovative products. The ideal candidate should be detail oriented, have excellent written and oral communication and work well in a fast-paced multi-projected environment. They should be creative and flexible and able to rely on experience and good judgment to help plan and accomplish goals. Strong working knowledge and passion for the beauty/skincare/wellness industry.

Responsibilities

Formulation:

  • Design comprehensive product tech packs by selecting active ingredient packages that maximize efficacy, support claims, and guide formulation strategy. Support formulation chemists with needed benchwork related to project launches or reformulations.
  • Develop and deliver targeted benefits, claims, and ingredient strategies to ensure clinical performance and product differentiation.
  • Manage prototype feedback cycle during development throughout formula approval.
  • Maintain raw material vendor relationships and internal ingredient databases.
  • Develop and maintain R&D blue sky formulation library from competitive benchmarking.
  • Review and approval of formula BOMs for innovation and PIPO 

Claims Development/Support:

  • Ownership of innovation copy process within R&D: Management and execution of all technical support aspects of copy/claims substantiation related to Murad brand/products globally, ensuring adherence to legal, safety, regulatory guidelines and Murad Standard Operating Procedures. Inclusive of all copy review and approval.
  • Co-creation of Education Technical Support and Training Materials: based on technology, mode of action, and claims support and main positioning. Collaborate with PD team to create Training Presentation Slides/Video package to be used by Education and PR. 

Clinical Research:

  • Design, oversee and manage clinical studies (in-house or in collaboration with CROs) to support product claims, dermatological testing, consumer perception, and regulatory compliance.
  • Oversee study execution from protocol development through recruitment, data collection, monitoring, and final reporting.
  • Collect and manage clinical data, including dermatological assessments, instrumental measurements, and consumer feedback to substantiate efficacy and tolerance claims.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Product Development, Marketing, Regulatory, and Legal teams to align study objectives and timelines with brand initiatives.
  • Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and regulatory changes in the dermatology and cosmetic science landscape. 

Cross Functional Project Management:

  • Lead and set agendas for weekly cross functional meetings on innovation projects.
  • Lead R&D PIPO/change management
  • Semiannual trend presentations defining competitive landscapes and innovative concepts 

Team Leadership & Development:

  • Mentor and manage Clinical Research Assistant Manager
  • Provide technical and professional development support to team members

Attributes:

  • Ability to organize and prioritize.
  • High attention to detail
  • Technical expertise
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Results-oriented
  • Leadership and collaboration
  • Ability to coordinate and execute multiple tasks at once.
  • Innovative mindset
  • Ability to motivate others
  • Ability to work autonomously

Job Requirements

  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in product development in the personal care industry
  • Bachelor's Degree preferred (Chemistry, Biology, Sciences preferred but not required)
  • Strong interest in skincare and personal care

Preferred Qualifications

  • Understanding of regulatory guidelines, GMP, claims substantiation, and cosmetic testing protocols
  • Project management skills for the development process
  • Consumer insights or trend analysis experience
  • Experience in global product launch 

What We Offer:

  • A target annual salary range of  $115,000 to $130,000, depending on experience, plus annual bonus 
  • 401(K) with an Employer Match, plus a monthly home internet stipend 
  • Hybrid work environment – join our El Segundo office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off, plus 17 holidays off per year 
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance options, FSA, HSA, and Life & Accident Insurance 
  • Wellness & Support Resources including Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Legal Shield & ID Shield, Travel Assistance, Estate Guidance, Gym and Meditation programs, and more 
  • Pet Insurance 
  • Professional Development Resources
  • Access to Murad products at-cost & employee gifts, as well as the larger Unilever Prestige Discount Marketplace (including Hourglass, Living Proof, Dermalogica, K18, Paula's Choice, & Tatcha)

Don’t meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply! Studies show that women, non-binary applicants, and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However, our diverse backgrounds, perspectives, identities, and talents drive Murad’s innovative legacy. 

EEO Statement: Murad is an equal opportunity employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in accordance with the L.A. Fair Chance Initiative Ordinance. 

#LI-SB1

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Murad? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Murad’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 07/31/2029

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.