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Formulation Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Scientist

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that ... Formulation Scientist Location: Carlsbad, CA 92008 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Temporary ...

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Technician

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

TekWissen Group is a workforce management provider throughout the USA and many other countries ... Formulation Technician I Location: Sunnyvale, CA, 94085 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Temporary ...

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Technician II

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that ... Formulation Technician Location: Sunnyvale, CA - 94085 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Temporary ...

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Formulation Manager information

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$41

How much do formulation manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 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 are Formulation Managers?

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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,866 per year, or $22.5 per hour.
Senior Associate Scientist (Contract), Formulation Development

Senior Associate Scientist (Contract), Formulation Development

Vaxcyte

San Carlos, CA

$56 - $62/hr

Other

Re-posted 12 hours ago

Job description

Summary:

Vaxcyte has an exciting opportunity for a highly-motivated and talented individual to join our Formulation Development team. The Senior Research Associate Scientist will play a critical role in the development of innovative protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines.
The successful candidate will independently design, execute, and support formulation development activities to advance Vaxcyte's drug product pipeline from early-stage development through clinical studies and commercialization. In this role, the candidate will lead complex experimental studies, including the design of formulation screening strategies, analytical testing, and physicochemical characterization of drug products; support investigations; and contribute to process optimization and technical problem-solving.

Essential Functions:
  • Support and execute the manufacture of complex drug products to support formulation development, analytical development, animal immunogenicity studies, and process development.
  • With guidance, design, plan, and independently perform complex experiments, including troubleshooting and optimization of formulation processes.
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data; clearly communicate findings through presentations in working group meetings and contributions to technical reports and presentations.
  • Analyze samples with biochemical, biophysical and particle characterization techniques, interpret results, and communicate conclusions to the broader team.
  • Prepare buffers, solutions, and reagents to support formulation and analytical activities, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
  • Maintain scientific rigor and ensure detailed, accurate documentation of all experiments conducted.
  • Support and enhance laboratory organization, including bench management, inventory control, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
  • Ensure accurate, thorough, and timely documentation of all experimental work in electronic lab notebooks.
  • This position reports into the Formulation Development function and is part of the broader Process Development and Manufacturing group.
  • This position will collaborate with cross-functional groups and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment is essential.
  • Demonstrate agility in both scientific thinking and practical execution; a proactive, solution-oriented mindset is strongly encouraged.
  • This is a lab-based position and requires the ability to stand or sit for extended periods as well as work in biosafety cabinets.
Requirements: 
  • BS degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field with minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience, or MS degree with minimum 3 years of relevant industry experience. Experience in vaccine formulation development is a plus.
  • Strong hands-on experience in buffer preparation, formulation development, and laboratory techniques.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute experiments and troubleshoot technical challenges.
  • Proficiency in maintaining detailed and accurate records; experience with electronic lab notebooks (ELN) is required.
  • Experience interpreting complex data sets with data analysis tools (e.g., GraphPad Prism, JMP) and a solid understanding of statistical analysis is preferred.
  • Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in pipetting, sample preparation, and data recording.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Proven ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, collaborative environment across multiple projects.
  • Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated initiative, scientific curiosity, and the ability to contribute strategically within a fast-paced team.
Reports to: Scientist II, Formulation Development 
 
Work Arrangement: Onsite (minimum of 4 days per week)
 
Location: San Carlos, CA 
 
Expected Contract Length: 12months 
 
Hourly Range: $56/hr.- $62/hr. 
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About Vaxcyte

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Biotechnology research and development

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Carlos, CA, US

Year founded

2013

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