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Formulation Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SV Labs Corporation

Formulation Chemist

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION The Formulation Chemist is responsible for the research, design, and ... Raw Material Management: Collaborate with suppliers to source innovative ingredients and identify ...

Glass House Brands

Formulation Technician

Lompoc, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Formulation Technician will also monitor, prepare, and maintain recordkeeping of formulation ... time management skills. • Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision. • Excellent ...

SV Labs Corporation

Formulation Chemist

Watsonville, CA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION The Formulation Chemist is responsible for the research, design, and ... Raw Material Management: Collaborate with suppliers to source innovative ingredients and identify ...

Actalent

Scientist I, Formulation

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$30 - $31/hr

Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and support time-sensitive production schedules. Work Environment * Full-time onsite position located in Carlsbad, CA . * Monday through Friday day ...

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Formulation Manager information

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How much do formulation manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for formulation manager in California is $22.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a formulation manager?

Formulation Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the development and optimization of product formulations, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and chemicals. They lead teams to design, test, and refine product mixtures to meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Their role often involves coordinating with research, production, and quality assurance departments to ensure that product formulations are effective, stable, and cost-efficient. Formulation Managers also stay updated on industry trends and regulatory changes to keep their company's products competitive. Effective communication, project management, and technical expertise are key skills for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by a formulation manager in coordinating cross-functional teams?

Formulation Managers often work closely with R&D, quality assurance, regulatory, and production teams to bring new products from concept to launch. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication and alignment across departments, especially when dealing with tight timelines or shifting project priorities. Balancing technical requirements, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing feasibility can also be demanding. Successful Formulation Managers are proactive in problem-solving and skilled at fostering strong collaboration to keep projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a formulation manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Formulation Manager, you need a solid background in chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree and experience in product formulation. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, formulation development software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and project management skills help you effectively lead teams and navigate complex product development cycles. These competencies are crucial for ensuring product quality, regulatory adherence, and timely delivery of innovative formulations.

What is the difference between Formulation Manager vs Formulation Scientist?

AspectFormulation ManagerFormulation Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related field; often requires experience in project managementBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Pharmacy, or related field; focus on research skills
Work EnvironmentOversees teams in R&D or manufacturing settings, manages projects, and coordinates formulation developmentConducts laboratory research, experiments, and formulation testing
Industry UsageCommonly used in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and chemical industries for leadership rolesPrimarily used in research and development departments for formulation development

The Formulation Manager typically oversees formulation projects, manages teams, and ensures product development aligns with business goals. In contrast, the Formulation Scientist focuses on conducting experiments and developing formulations in the lab. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in responsibilities and scope within the formulation process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Formulation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Formulation jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Formulation Manager jobs in California?

For Formulation Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Formulation Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Formulation Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Formulation Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Formulation Manager job openings:

Formulation Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Formulation Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,866 per year, or $22.5 per hour.

Pharmaceutical Formulation Chemist

K2 Staffing, LLC

Temecula, CA • On-site

Contractor

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Formulation Chemist to support the development of lyophilized injectable vials and oral capsule formulations on a project-based (Statement of Work / Per Diem) basis. This role is ideal for a pharmaceutical formulation expert with hands-on experience developing injectable and oral solid-dose products who can independently lead formulation activities from concept through regulatory readiness.

The successful candidate will have expertise in formulation development, excipient selection, lyophilization, stability studies, GMP documentation, and technical writing while collaborating with Quality, Regulatory, Manufacturing, and Analytical teams to support product commercialization.

Duties & ResponsibilitiesFormulation Development
  • Develop formulations for lyophilized injectable vials and oral capsule products.
  • Design and execute formulation development studies, including excipient selection, buffer optimization, and compatibility assessments.
  • Troubleshoot formulation challenges related to solubility, stability, aggregation, dissolution, and product performance.
  • Support scale-up activities from laboratory development through manufacturing.
Lyophilization & Injectable Products
  • Develop and optimize lyophilization cycles, including freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying.
  • Investigate and resolve reconstitution and product stability issues.
  • Support sterile fill-finish activities, ensuring compatibility with filtration systems and filling equipment.
Oral Solid Dose Development
  • Develop oral capsule formulations, including excipient compatibility and fill-weight uniformity.
  • Evaluate formulation performance and identify opportunities to improve bioavailability where appropriate.
  • Generate technical data packages supporting manufacturing partners.
Stability, Documentation & Regulatory Support
  • Design and execute accelerated and long-term stability studies in accordance with ICH guidelines.
  • Prepare formulation development reports, technical protocols, batch records, and supporting GMP documentation.
  • Collaborate with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure formulation data supports regulatory compliance, including 503A/503B requirements.
  • Support manufacturing and analytical teams by providing formulation expertise throughout the product lifecycle.
Qualifications & RequirementsRequired Experience
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline (PhD preferred).
  • Minimum 3 years of pharmaceutical formulation experience developing both injectable (lyophilized) and oral solid-dose products.
  • Hands-on experience with lyophilization cycle development and freeze-drying equipment.
  • Experience developing oral capsule formulations, including excipient selection and fill-weight optimization.
  • Strong understanding of formulation challenges, including solubility, stability, aggregation, and excipient compatibility.
Technical Skills
  • Experience designing and executing formulation development studies.
  • Knowledge of GMP documentation, batch records, technical protocols, and formulation reports.
  • Familiarity with ICH stability guidelines and stability protocol development.
  • Understanding of USP <795>, USP <797>, and/or 503A/503B regulatory requirements preferred.
  • Experience supporting sterile fill-finish operations and aseptic processing is highly desirable.
Professional Skills
  • Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting abilities.
  • Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple project priorities.