Head of Product Development

About Vacation®

Vacation® is an acclaimed sunscreen brand established in Miami in 2021, known for making sunscreen enjoyable and engaging. The brand is celebrated for its creative and innovative approach, building an immersive universe around its products that have gained favor with consumers, dermatologists, and major retailers like Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Target.

Role Overview

The Head of Product Development role is a leadership position reporting directly to a Co-Founder. This role manages the full product lifecycle from initial research and briefing, through formulation, design, clinical testing, and production. The goal is to deliver high-quality, safe, and compliant personal care products on schedule and within budget, particularly focusing on over-the-counter sunscreen products. The role requires collaboration with external partners and various internal departments to ensure seamless project flow and successful product launches. This is a hybrid position based in Los Angeles, CA.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of product creation including research, brief development, formulations, packaging, testing, and manufacturing.
• Develop and maintain product development roadmaps, address risks, manage dependencies, and guarantee all deadlines and scopes are met.
• Implement operational discipline and accountability across projects, overseeing timelines and overall success.
• Mentor and build a high-performing product development team aligned with company growth ambitions.
• Act as the central liaison among Product, Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams to keep priorities and launch plans integrated.
• Manage external contractual relationships with manufacturers, formulators, and packaging vendors, including negotiation and progress tracking.
• Review and approve formula submissions with the team, ensuring internal standards are met.
• Collaborate with Product Marketing to craft engaging narratives on product ingredients and benefits.
• Coordinate with Operations for supply chain preparedness and smooth manufacturing launches.
• Work with Creative teams to ensure timely development of artwork assets.
• Partner closely with Regulatory and Quality teams to maintain thorough compliance and regulatory standards.
• Proactively communicate and escalate relevant issues or opportunities to stakeholders.

Candidate Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or related technical discipline preferred.
• At least 8 years of product development experience in the personal care or beauty sector, with required expertise in FDA OTC sunscreen products.
• Proven leadership in end-to-end product development involving formulators, contract manufacturers, packaging engineers, and regulatory personnel.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, able to juggle multiple complex initiatives and stakeholders facing tight timelines.
• Demonstrated accountability and leadership effectiveness in rapidly growing environments.
• Experience in custom packaging sourcing and managing both domestic and international supplier relationships.
• Excellent communication skills both internally and with external partners.
• Detail-focused, assertive, and adept at balancing creativity with operational requirements.
• Extensive knowledge of product testing methodologies including analytical, sensory, clinical, and perceptual assessments.
• Proven success working in remote or hybrid work arrangements.
• Passion for building Vacation® into a widely recognized brand and maintaining an enjoyable work culture.
• Personal use of sunscreen products is expected.

Compensation & Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with up to full employee coverage.
• Annual salary range from $175,000 to $205,000, based on experience.
• 401k plan with company matching contributions.
• Work from home stipend and annual allowance for professional development.
• 15 paid days off per year.
• Complimentary Vacation® product samples.

Corporate Values and Equal Opportunity

Vacation® fosters a culture of enthusiasm, accountability, humility, and attention to detail. Team members embrace every task as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully. The company values diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities or special needs during the application process upon contact.