Head of Product Development (Beauty)

Company Description

CEE Chamber is a network of service providers dedicated to facilitating businesses' expansion into Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). By leveraging the region's skilled workforce and cost-effective opportunities, CEE Chamber connects companies with trustworthy local partners and resources. The organization fosters strong, trust-based relationships and promotes understanding of diverse business cultures in CEE. Through its robust network, CEE Chamber empowers businesses to navigate the complexities of the region and achieve success in this dynamic market.

Role Description

We are building a modern wellness brand from the ground up across skincare, supplements, and aromatherapy. While our brand positioning, ingredient philosophy, and creative direction are already established, the product portfolio itself is still to be created.

We are looking for an experienced Product Development Lead to take full ownership of the end-to-end product creation process — from concept development and ingredient selection through formulation, manufacturing, testing, and launch.

In this role, you will work directly with EU-based contract manufacturers and suppliers to transform product ideas into commercially viable, compliant, and high-quality products. You will define how products are sourced, developed, tested, approved, and brought to market.

This is a highly hands-on and entrepreneurial role. There is no existing product team, supplier network, or operational structure in place — you will build and shape these foundations yourself. We are looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity, operates independently, and is comfortable making strategic and practical decisions across formulation, sourcing, compliance, and production.

Key responsabilities will be:

• Leading the full product development lifecycle across skincare, supplements, and wellness categories.
• Translating product concepts and brand vision into market-ready formulations.
• Identifying, evaluating, and managing EU-based contract manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.
• Overseeing formulation development, sampling, testing, and production processes.
• Ensuring products meet EU regulatory and compliance standards.
• Managing stability, safety, and quality testing requirements.
• Establishing scalable product development processes and supplier workflows.
• Collaborating closely with the founder on product strategy and portfolio direction.
• Balancing speed-to-market with product quality, efficacy, and compliance.

Requirements

• 6–10 years of experience in product development within skincare, cosmetics, supplements, or wellness.
• Proven track record of taking products from concept to market with direct ownership of execution.
• Hands-on experience working with contract manufacturers, including briefing, sampling, and production oversight.
• Strong understanding of EU regulatory requirements for cosmetics and/or food supplements.
• Familiarity with natural, botanical, or ingredient-led formulations.
• Experience sourcing and evaluating raw materials and suppliers with a focus on quality and compliance.
• Experience managing testing processes, including stability and safety assessments.
• Comfortable operating independently in an early-stage environment without established structures or teams.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to balance speed, quality, and compliance.

Benefits

• Full ownership of the product development function with end-to-end responsibility.
• Opportunity to build an entire wellness product range from zero across multiple categories.
• High level of autonomy and direct collaboration with the founder.
• Fast-moving environment with minimal bureaucracy and clear decision-making.
• Long-term growth potential, including equity participation.
• Direct influence on both the product portfolio and the operational processes behind it.