VP of Product Development (hybrid, Los Angeles)

Who We Are

Join the dynamic team at Vacation®, the award-winning sunscreen company from Miami USA that’s on a mission to make sunscreen fun. Founded in summer 2021, Vacation® has swiftly gained acclaim among consumers, tastemakers, press, retailers, and dermatologists alike for the immersive brand world and "leisure-enhancing" products that transport you to paradise and back. Vacation’s steady growth is in large part thanks to the company’s focus on creativity and innovation, and the team’s shared mission to infuse a sense of fun into sunscreen aisles nationwide. You can discover Vacation's products at leading retailers including Ulta Beauty, Nordstrom, and Target, as well as www.vacation.inc.

Role Summary

Reporting directly to one of the Co-Founders, the Vice President of Product Development oversees the entire product lifecycle, from concept development and research through formulation, packaging design, clinical testing, and production; ensuring all initiatives meet ambitious timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Combining scientific rigor, creativity, and operational discipline, this role leads the Product Development team in delivering best-in-class personal care products while upholding the highest standards of safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance.

This position manages external relationships with formulators, contract manufacturers, packaging engineers, and other partners to drive results under demanding conditions, while collaborating closely with internal cross-functional teams to ensure flawless execution. The ideal candidate has deep experience in the development of over-the-counter (OTC) drug products– particularly sunscreen– and is adept at navigating stringent FDA regulatory and compliance requirements in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment. This is a hybrid role in Los Angeles, CA. 

Your Role

• Oversee the entire development process including initial research, brief writing, formulation development, packaging development, product testing, and production.
• Lead the Product Development team in building and maintaining clear, systematic project tracking that provides organization-wide visibility and sets a strong standard of accountability across the department.
• Establish and own the long-term product development roadmap, ensuring alignment with brand vision, market trends, and company growth objectives.
• Serve as the central point of alignment between Product, Sales, Marketing, and Operations to ensure development priorities and launch plans remain synchronized.
• Manage external relationships with contract manufacturers, formulators and packaging partners to initiate and track projects, negotiate pricing and drive weekly progress. 
• Evaluate formula submissions with the PD team, providing feedback and redirection as needed; ultimately securing internal formula approval.
• Partner with Product Marketing to develop compelling product storytelling,  including key ingredients, features, benefits, and claims.
• Manage all product testing (clinical, sensory, perceptual, etc) and related documentation in support of claims and overall market readiness.
• Source, develop and conduct testing on packaging for all SKUs; domestically and internationally.
• Collaborate with Operations to ensure supply chain readiness and smooth production transitions.
• Partner with the Creative team to ensure all artwork assets are developed on schedule.
• Oversee the QA/Regulatory Manager to maintain full brand compliance and to ensure quality and regulatory standards meet or exceed all requirements.
• Proactively identify and escalate issues or opportunities to relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; scientific or technical degrees strongly preferred
• 8+ years of experience in product development within the personal care or beauty industry, with direct FDA OTC (sunscreen) experience required
• Proven expertise leading end-to-end product development with contract manufacturers, formulators, packaging engineers, and regulatory experts
• Extensive experience with product testing (analytical, sensory, clinical, and perceptual) and the ability to interpret results to guide formulation and claims decisions
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects, stakeholders, and aggressive timelines
• Strong track record of ownership, accountability, and results-driven leadership in high-growth environments
• Experience sourcing and developing custom packaging and managing supplier relationships, both domestic and international
• Highly responsive