Technical Product Development Manager

Job Summary We are hiring a Technical Product Development Manager to own the chemistry and technical execution behind our liquid adhesives, solvent removers, and broader cosmetics and personal care portfolio. You will work alongside our Product Manager, owning the lab work, vendor sourcing, testing oversight, and regulatory detail that move products from concept to launch and keep our existing portfolio clean and current. Most bench work runs through external labs and contract manufacturers; you source the partners, brief them well, direct their work, and judge the results. You will run light in-house bench work as needed, but your core leverage is in knowing the chemistry deeply enough to make the right decisions on the team's behalf. Responsibilities Product Development and Lab Sourcing Drive product development: translate briefs into technical plans; evaluate formulation options, performance trade-offs, sensory, stability, and cost. Source and manage external labs and contract manufacturers: qualify partners, write tight briefs, direct iterations, and protect the formula through scale-up. Source raw materials and suppliers: evaluate ingredients, qualify suppliers, review specs and CoAs, maintain vendor relationships. Run light hands-on bench work as needed: sample prep, basic compatibility checks, and simple in-house testing. Testing, Regulatory, and Documentation Manage testing: source and brief labs for stability, microbial, preservative efficacy (PET), HRIPT, safety, and analytical work; set protocols, review results, chase deviations. Own regulatory and compliance: MoCRA registration and product listings, FDA cosmetic and applicable OTC requirements, INCI labeling, Drug Facts panels, claim substantiation, and EU 1223/2009 where applicable. Maintain the technical record: product specs, raw material specs, stability data, batch records, CoAs, and technical transfer packages, kept current and audit-ready. Keep the regulatory calendar: registrations, renewals, testing intervals, and reporting deadlines so nothing lapses and nothing is late. Partnership and Communicatio n Partner with the Product Manager: own chemistry, lab work, and regulatory detail so PM can focus on strategy, branding, and launch execution. Translate for non-technical partners: give Marketing, Operations, and Sales clear, actionable answers on chemistry, ingredients, claims, and regulatory questions. Drive details to completion: the missing tolerance, the unsigned CoA, the unclear warning statement; you find it and close it. Education / Experience 5+ y ears in cosmetic, personal care, or OTC product development with a strong chemistry foundation. B.S. or M.S. in Polymer Science (preferred), Chemistry (with a focus on organic or polymer chemistry), or Chemical Engineering. Demonstrated experience sourcing, briefing, and managing external formulation labs and contract manufacturers. Working knowledge of emulsions, surfactant systems, polymers, topical films, and/or pressure-sensitive and skin-contact adhesives. Real regulatory experience in cosmetics or personal care: MoCRA, FDA cosmetic and OTC, INCI labeling, and claim substantiation. Comfort designing test protocols and reading stability, microbial, PET, and analytical results critically. Rigorous attention to detail and the discipline to drive technical work to completion. Preferred Experience with pressure-sensitive adhesives, medical-grade adhesives, or skin-safe tape products. Familiarity with EU Cosmetic Regulation (1223/2009), Product Information Files, and international cosmetic notification systems. Background that includes time at a contract manufacturer, a regulatory consultancy, or an in-house combined R&D / regulatory function. Society of Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) membership or Regulatory Affairs Certification ( RAC). History of Walker Tape We are the industry leader in tapes and adhesives for hair replacement systems. Our company creates and customizes tapes and adhesives for just about any industry, particularly beauty. We started in 1985, and we haven’t taken a break yet. Even though we've grown a lot in the last few years, we're committed to maintaining a close-knit team culture. How You’ll Fit In We strive to make working at Walker Tape an awesome experience. Our team is full of exceptional individuals who we genuinely value. Here’s how we operate: Take Time Off Our PTO schedule is based on years of service, meaning as you stay with the company, you'll be allotted more PTO each year. We want you to be able to get out and do fun stuff! Keep Learning We want to help you grow and flourish! We’ll send you to conferences, trainings, and buy you books to help you learn something new. Benefits We cover 90% of premiums for medical (including option for HDHP with HSA), dental, vision insurance. We cover 100% of premiums for $50,000 life insurance policy for you, and $10,000 for spouse and each dependent. We also offer the following employee paid life insurance options: Voluntary Life Insurance Short Term Disability Insurance Critical Illness Insurance Accident Insurance 401(k) retirement plan with 3% Employer Contribution, no Employee Contribution required! Bonus Opportunities There are opportunities for bonuses. You’ll be in on that from day one. When Walker Tape wins, so do you. Screenings Background and drug screenings will be required prior to hire, however, results will not necessarily prevent your eligibility for hire. We are an E-Verify participating employer. Equal Employment Opportunity Walker Tape is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.