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Product Development Manager Jobs in Encinitas, CA

Raytheon

Product Development Engineer

San Diego, CA

... development services to a wide range of products within Raytheon. The Critical Item Production ... By integrating principles of manufacturability, assembly, scalability, and cost management, we aim ...

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Product Development Manager information

See Encinitas, CA salary details

$45.6K

$136.4K

$155.2K

How much do product development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development manager in Encinitas, CA is $136,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,000.00 and $153,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a product development manager?

A Product Development Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the process of creating new products or improving existing ones within a company. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines, and ensure that products meet market needs and business objectives. Their role often includes market research, product design, testing, and working closely with marketing, engineering, and sales teams to bring products to market successfully.

What does a product development manager do?

A product development manager helps a company design new goods and merchandise to increase sales and revenue. As a product development manager, you collaborate with market research and product marketing managers to form development and marketing strategy around new product ideas. You also work with teams in the product development and marketing departments to implement strategies and design new goods or services. You oversee quality assurance testing to ensure that the end user is satisfied with the products your company creates.

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

To thrive as a Product Development Manager, you need expertise in project management, market analysis, and product lifecycle strategies, usually supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Agile methodologies, product management software (e.g., Jira, Trello), and certifications such as PMP or Scrum Master are highly beneficial. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you motivate teams and navigate cross-functional collaboration. These competencies are crucial for driving innovation, meeting market demands, and ensuring successful product launches.

What are some common challenges a product development manager might face when balancing stakeholder expectations and project timelines?

A Product Development Manager often navigates the challenge of balancing diverse stakeholder expectations with realistic project timelines. Stakeholders, such as marketing, sales, and engineering teams, may have differing priorities or urgency, which can lead to conflicting demands. Effective communication, setting clear project milestones, and regularly updating all parties are essential strategies. Additionally, managing scope creep and ensuring alignment on product vision help prevent delays and maintain focus on deliverables.

What is the difference between Product Development Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectProduct Development ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusOversees the development process, managing teams and technical aspectsDefines product vision, strategy, and manages the product lifecycle
Required SkillsTechnical knowledge, project management, team leadershipMarket research, user experience, strategic planning
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with engineering, design, and production teamsWorks closely with marketing, sales, and customer feedback

While both roles are integral to product success, the Product Development Manager primarily focuses on managing the development process and technical teams, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on defining the product vision and strategy. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and professionals to each role.

Is product development manager a 9-5 job?

Product development managers often work standard business hours, but their schedule can extend beyond 9-5 depending on project deadlines, meetings, and company needs. They may need to be flexible, especially during product launches or critical phases, and often collaborate with cross-functional teams across different time zones.
More about Product Development Manager jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Product Development jobs in Encinitas, CA?

The most popular types of Product Development jobs in Encinitas, CA are:

What job categories do people searching Product Development Manager jobs in Encinitas, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Development Manager jobs in Encinitas, CA are:

What cities near Encinitas, CA are hiring for Product Development Manager jobs?

Cities near Encinitas, CA with the most Product Development Manager job openings:

Product Development Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development Manager job openings in Encinitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $136,396 per year, or $65.6 per hour.

Product Development Manager, Formulation - Private Label

L&R Distributors

Encinitas, CA • On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 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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