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Product Development Manager Jobs in San Rafael, CA

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Product Development Manager information

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$47.4K

$141.6K

$161.1K

How much do product development manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development manager in San Rafael, CA is $141,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,600.00 and $159,400.00 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.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Product Development Manager jobs in San Rafael, CA?

For Product Development Manager jobs in San Rafael, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Product Development Manager job openings in San Rafael, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,554 per year, or $68.1 per hour.

Sr. Director, Product Development

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Tatcha
Toiletries Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Who We Are
Tatcha is a skincare brand rooted in timeless Japanese wisdom, offering transformative yet kind-to-skin formulas that marry Japanese botanicals with clinical ingredients. Our formulation philosophy is informed by the Japanese concept hinou dokon, which means "skin-mind same root"-an acknowledgement of the powerful connection between the skin and the brain. Guided by the mission to care for people through their skin, Tatcha takes a holistic approach to skincare from concept to formulation to clinical evaluation, offering skincare rituals that benefit both skin and mind, while emphasizing the importance of mindfulness to skin health.
Job Summary
As the Sr. Director of Product Development at Tatcha you'll lead the development of all Tatcha products, helping to bring innovative, efficacious, and quality formulas to market. You'll serve as the connective thread between science, heritage, and market innovation, building a pipeline that is as rooted in Tatcha's Japanese heritage as it is responsive to the evolving needs of our global consumer.
Key Responsibilities
Innovation & Formula Development
  • Partner closely with Product Marketing, R&D, and cross-functional partners to develop NPD concepts that honor Tatcha's Japanese heritage while addressing unmet consumer needs.
  • Drive ideation and end-to-end development of new formulas from concept brief through final approval, owning each stage gate with precision and creative intent.
  • Investigate breakthrough textures, finishes, and sensorial experiences; establish rigorous competitive benchmarks and white-space analyses.
  • Foster relationships with vendors and partners. Identify exclusive active ingredients, novel delivery systems, and innovative technologies that support differentiated storytelling.
  • Drive IP strategy, identifying opportunities for proprietary ingredient blends, unique emulsion architectures, and innovation that cannot be easily replicated.
  • Evaluate every formula submission and provide clear, timely feedback to R&D labs and manufacturers, maintaining Tatcha's uncompromising quality standards.
  • Ensure all development projects continuously meet goals, milestones, and launch timelines; proactively surface risks and lead cross-functional resolution.

Claims, Testing, & Regulatory
  • Develop and lead product briefs, claims platforms, and comprehensive testing plans, including stability, compatibility, safety, efficacy, clinical, and consumer panel testing.
  • Partner with Regulatory to ensure all formulas and claims meet global compliance standards across regions.
  • Oversee claims substantiation programs, working with testing partners to design studies that generate compelling, defensible proof points.
  • Monitor and track formula testing parameters through all required phases, proactively identifying and resolving risks before they impact timelines.

Marketing Collaboration, Product Storytelling, & Strategy
  • Create product profiles and development narratives that articulate unique positioning within the Tatcha portfolio and the competitive landscape, serving as the foundation for marketing, education, and PR materials.
  • Collaborate with Marketing on product naming, copy, and claims messaging, ensuring all communications authentically reflect the science and heritage behind each formula.
  • Support the development of key presentations for leadership meetings, global strategy sessions, and retailer product reviews.
  • Proactively research the global beauty landscape, tracking launches, ingredient trends, consumer sentiment, and scientific developments to inform Tatcha's innovation pipeline.
  • Analyze competitive products, pricing, and claims to guide strategic positioning and differentiate Tatcha formulas in prestige retail environments.
  • Synthesize insights from global markets to ensure Tatcha's innovation pipeline remains globally relevant, while still authentic to brand heritage and purpose.

Team Leadership & Culture
  • Manage, mentor, and inspire a small team of product development professionals, fostering a culture of creativity, scientific rigor, and genuine passion for beauty.
  • Contribute to building inclusive, collaborative cross-functional ways of working that reflect Tatcha's multicultural identity.

Qualifications
  • 10+ years of beauty industry experience in a senior (head of) product development role, or 8+ years with an advanced degree. Luxury beauty experience preferred.
  • BA/BS required; MS in cosmetic science, chemistry, or a related field a plus
  • 3+ years of people management experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
  • Hands-on experience with claims development, consumer testing design, and clinical substantiation.
  • Experience developing products for global markets with a working knowledge of global skincare regulations.
  • Deep knowledge of the competitive beauty landscape, with a genuine personal passion for luxury skincare and the craft of formulation.
  • Understanding of skin biology, emulsion science, and cosmetic physical chemistry.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  • First-hand experience with Japanese culture, heritage, beauty rituals, or Japanese beauty ingredient traditions is a huge plus.
  • Must be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and willing to work from our San Francisco HQ a minimum of two days per week.

The Details
The expected base salary range for this position is $185,000 to $200,000. The exact base pay is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, and budget.
This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan based on personal performance and company results. Tatcha offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company match, paid family leave, education-related programs, paid time off, and paid holidays. #LI-BH1
Tatcha is committed to inclusion and belonging to drive its business results and create a better future for all employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation in order to apply for a job listing, please contact us at careers@tatcha.com.
Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination under Federal law. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment during normal business hours at establishment by appointment.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disability.
Protect yourself against fraud and identity theft. It is always recommended to apply to our open positions directly via our career page located at www.tactcha.com/careers. Tatcha will never ask applicants for their financial or banking information prior to hire. If you have questions, please reach out to us directly at careers@tatcha.com.
Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended to include other duties as assigned by the management team.