Project Manager, Contract Manufacturing

About this role

About Debut

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do—setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world. Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you. 

Project Manager, Contract Manufacturing

Location: San Diego, CA (Headquarters)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $75,000 – $95,000 per annum (base) + performance-based incentives, commensurate with experience

Reports To: VP of Commercial Operations

Summary

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do, setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world. Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.

The Project Manager, Contract Manufacturing owns the project lifecycle from technology transfer to contract manufacturing (CM) partners through final product delivery. This role is the single point of accountability once a finalized formulation moves from Research & Development (R&D) into production, connecting formulation sales, R&D scientists, the Account Manager, and external CM partners to ensure every project moves smoothly through manufacturing and into the client's hands on time, on spec, and on budget.

Essential Functions

• Own the project lifecycle from technology transfer to contract manufacturing partners through final product delivery, serving as the primary point of accountability across sales, R&D, and CM partners.

• Own commercial and financial coordination with contract manufacturing partners, including preliminary and final production pricing, quote review, cost changes, rework costs, PO alignment, payment dependencies.

• Receive finalized formulations and technical packages from R&D and confirm production readiness with contract manufacturing partners.

• Lead technology transfer to contract manufacturers, including scale-up trials, process validation, and pilot batch approval.

• Manage the end-to-end CM relationship: partner selection and qualification, Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), and lead-time negotiation, purchase orders, and production scheduling.

• Own Bill of Materials (BOM) documentation, version control, and raw material sourcing and traceability through manufacturing.

• Work closely with Quality team on in-process quality checks, batch record review, and Certificate of Analysis (COA) approval prior to release.

• Partner with Quality and contract manufacturing teams throughout production and finished-good release, including in-process quality review, batch documentation, COAs, deviations, waivers, analytical testing, release documentation, and resolution of quality-related production issues.

• Coordinate packaging, labeling, and finished-goods logistics to ensure on-time delivery to brand clients.

• Monitor developmental and production milestones, proactively identify risks (schedule, quality, supply), and drive timely resolution.

• Own and continuously maintain commercialization and production timelines, proactively identifying risks related to raw materials, components, testing, approvals, quality, capacity, and logistics; develop recovery plans and escalate critical issues to protect customer launch dates.

• Partner with the Account Manager to keep customers informed on project status, timelines, and milestones throughout production.

• Plan and lead brand-facing reviews and facility site visits, including production status updates.

• Maintain end-to-end project documentation and timelines in Monday.com.

• Support continuous improvement of CM onboarding, production, and delivery processes. Coordinate finished-good release and allocation requirements, including customer-specific quantities, shipment splits, palletization, packing requirements, retains, samples, and expedited or partial shipments when required.

Education and Experience

The successful candidate will be highly organized, process-oriented, and deeply familiar with beauty product development and contract manufacturing whether through hands-on formulation experience, a background in New Product Development (NPD), or commercial sales roles where they worked closely with formulation and development teams. They understand how a product moves from bench to tech transfer to full-scale production, and they know how to keep complex multi-party projects on track without losing detail. A bachelor's degree is required; a background in cosmetic science, chemistry, beauty/skincare sales, or NPD is a strong plus.

• 3+ years of experience in formulation project management, NPD, or beauty/skincare sales with meaningful involvement in tech transfer, scale-up, and manufacturing execution. Direct exposure to contract manufacturing (CM) environments is strongly preferred.

• Working knowledge of the beauty formulation development process including prototype iterations and stability and compatibility testing and deep familia

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