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Formulation Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Technician I

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

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

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Technician I

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$21 - $23/hr

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

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Technician II

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that ... Formulation Technician II Location: Pleasanton, CA, 94566 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Temporary ...

TekWissen LLC

Formulation Technician II

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

TekWissen is a global workforce management provider headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan that ... Formulation Technician II Location: Pleasanton, CA, 94566 Duration: 12 Months Job Type: Temporary ...

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Formulation Manager information

See California salary details

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$41

How much do formulation manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 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
Product Development Manager, Formulation - Private Label

Product Development Manager, Formulation - Private Label

L&R Distributors

Encinitas, CA • On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

COMPANY

L&R Distributors is seeking a Product Development Manager of Formulation to lead high-impact product development initiatives across various beauty categories.

This is a hands-on technical role responsible for driving products from concept through commercialization, including formulation, testing, and manufacturing scale-up. The role offers a unique opportunity to work on both established, shelf-ready products and new product innovation for major retail channels.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in formulation development, contract manufacturing, and OTC products, along with a strong ability to lead cross-functional execution and deliver high-quality consumer products at scale. The Product Development Manager, Formulation team member reports to the Vice President of Product Development.

Key Responsibilities

1) Product Development & Scale-Up

  • Drive formulation development to achieve targeted performance, sensory attributes, appearance, and claims
  • Coordinate validation, and commercialization readiness across product lines
  • Manage timelines, critical paths, and cost considerations for development and scale-up
  • Drive lab, pilot, and full-scale production in partnership with contract manufacturers
  • Ensure smooth transition into manufacturing with consistent quality and supply

2) OTC, SPF & Regulatory

  • Serve as day-to-day driver for OTC and SPF product development, under the guidance of the VP of Product Development
  • Partner with Regulatory to support claims substantiation and ensure compliance with FDA and U.S. regulations
  • Align formulations, testing protocols, and documentation with on-pack claims
  • Coordinate development testing, including stability, compatibility, and performance validation
  • Ensure formulations are compatible with packaging and meet regulatory expectations prior to launch

3) Cross-Functional Supplier Management

  • Act as the primary day-to-day contact across a network of contract manufacturing partners
  • Coordinate formulation development, testing, scale-up, and technology transfer
  • Collaborate with Packaging teams to ensure formula–package compatibility and aligned timelines
  • Partner closely with Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to drive execution
  • Maintain clear documentation and communicate development progress to stakeholders

4) New Product Innovation

  • Drive end-to-end development of new products for a range of retail channels
  • Translate customer briefs into scalable, compliant, and cost-effective formulations
  • Support innovation across mass retail, drug, grocery, specialty, and club channels
  • Balance innovation initiatives alongside ongoing product development priorities

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field
  • 8+ years of product development experience in beauty, personal care, and/or OTC categories
  • Demonstrated experience with OTC drug products and SPF formulations
  • Strong background working with contract manufacturers
  • Proven ability to manage complex development timelines, testing programs, and budgets
  • Preferred to have experience supporting major retail customers
  • Familiarity with shelf-ready packaging and retail quality expectations
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration with Packaging, Regulatory, and Quality teams
  • Ability to travel as needed to CM locations during production runs, located mostly in the Los Angeles area.

Work Schedule:

Hybrid Schedule - Monday through Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM with variation based on business demands (Mon & Fri remote, Tues - Thurs in-office)

Pay range: $110,000 to $120,000

The Company provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please review our applicant communication policies: L&R Texting Policy & Terms

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