Product Development Manager (Contractor)

Team: Product

Location: US

Commitment: Contract

Workplace Type: remote

Accountabilities:

• Take immediate ownership of active product development lifecycles, ensuring key milestones are achieved from formulation approval through final production.
• Partner with Operations to monitor project budgets, product costing, and margin targets across active product developments.
• Drive final selection and approval of raw materials, formulations, and packaging components.
• Manage relationships with contract manufacturers, formulators, fragrance houses, packaging suppliers, and other external development partners to prevent delays and maintain project momentum.
• Ensure products meet applicable federal, state, and industry regulatory and quality requirements, including relevant EPA, Safer Choice, and EWG standards.
• Serve as the central coordination point for product development, collaborating closely with Brand, Operations, Regulatory/Legal, Creative, and Retail teams.
• Maintain detailed project timelines and proactively identify risks, dependencies, and roadblocks affecting upcoming launches.
• Develop and execute solutions to mitigate delays and keep projects aligned with launch objectives.
• Oversee final commercialization activities, including manufacturing readiness, quality control checks, completion of product content, and handoff to the scale team.
• Coordinate vendor and R&D deliverables while maintaining clear communication and accountability across stakeholders.

Requirements:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in Product Development, R&D, Product Management, Operations, Buying, or a related function within the CPG industry.
• Hands-on experience developing and launching consumer products from concept through commercialization.
• Experience in cleaning products, household goods, beauty, or personal care is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience working with contract manufacturers, formulators, packaging suppliers, fragrance houses, or other product development partners.
• Working knowledge of product formulation, ingredients, packaging development, manufacturing, and commercialization processes.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, stakeholders, and tight deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of the U.S. consumer product and retail landscape.
• Experience with sustainable packaging, natural or plant-based formulations, or environmentally focused consumer brands is a plus.
• Familiarity with retailer requirements, specifications, and documentation for major channels such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon is desirable.
• Excellent communication, organization, problem-solving, and follow-through skills.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions quickly, and take ownership with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable entering an established team and workflow with limited ramp-up time.
• Strong ability to coordinate internal and external stakeholders and maintain momentum across complex product development activities.

Benefits:

• Independent Contractor engagement.
• 2–3 month project duration with an immediate start.
• Compensation of $40–$60 per hour.
• Project-based role focused on active product development pipelines and near-term launches.
• Opportunity to work across formulation, packaging, manufacturing, regulatory, operations, and commercialization.
• Direct exposure to ecommerce and major brick-and-mortar retail channels.
• High-impact opportunity to contribute to consumer products focused on effective, naturally derived, and environmentally conscious solutions.
• Remote work is supported by the role description, with Boston, MA listed as the engagement location.