Director II, Global Product Development Skincare R&D

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

At Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, we develop, manufacture, and market a portfolio of leading aesthetics brands and products. Our aesthetics portfolio includes facial injectables, body contouring, plastics, skin care, and more.

With our own research and development team focused on driving innovation in aesthetics, we’re committed to providing the most comprehensive science-based product offerings available.

The Director (II) Product Development, Global Skincare R&D will be based in Irvine, CA., reporting to the VP of Global Skincare R&D. The Director (II) is responsible for leading New Product Development initiatives leading  Formulation & Scale-up/Tech Transfer teams driving innovation pipeline for SkinMedica & Diamond Glow brands within Allergan Aesthetics, an Abbvie company. The Director (II) will be responsible for optimizing & executing the Skincare Franchise Strategy, co-chairing Product Presentation and Design Strategy Team to create and align development plan for pipeline initiatives.  The Director (II) will be a member of the skincare Asset Strategy Team, providing strategic direction on pipeline development and supporting proposals and presentations to skincare Governance Board. 

In addition, Director (II) PD will be responsible for building strong alliance and working model between R&D and Operations Organization (S&T, Brand-Ops, Packaging, Procurement). Director (II)  is responsible to optimize and right sized skincare processes to bring agility, innovation within the AbbVie operating model and quality systems. 

The individual will drive and manage all of SkinMedica’s Product Development efforts, which cover a wide variety of topical skin care products, including both OTC and cosmetic treatments – leading a team of chemists, engineers and technicians in the creation and scale-up of novel formulations to complement the SkinMedica product portfolio, as well as in providing consultation/guidance to the Operations Science & technology,  on technical issues on marketed products. This role will ensure fit for purpose skincare product development execution that is accurately reflected in controlled documents and will also provide technical support to product inquiries and help strengthen SkinMedica scientific credibility by delivering differentiated formulations in partnership with Global Commercial Development. The individual will partner with other skincare R&D functions- skincare biological research, clinical, regulatory, safety and scientific affairs to create future pipeline and support current marketed products. 

The individual will oversee the buildout, management and execution of the Skincare Aesthetics Bioprocessing Innovation Center in the development of new cosmetic ingredient technologies. The position will also support  External Innovation & Open Science efforts for SkinMedica – proactively identifying partnership opportunities with external parties (suppliers, academic institutions, start-ups, other manufacturers, etc.) and support potential assets for licensing/acquisition, as well as serving as the primary technical liaison between with Search & Evaluate teams. 

The individual will also support  Franchise Strategy  within Skincare R&D and lead  skincare technical quality and manufacturing stage gate discussions at skincare Governance board. In addition, this position will also share leadership with Upstream Marketing in identifying emerging trends/technologies in the skin care industry and organizing periodic Innovation/Ideation Workshops to ensure a steady flow of new product pipeline ideas. The individual will also provide technical and strategic input to the Governance Structure with regard to product lifecycle decisions. 
 

Main Areas of Responsibilities 

• Guides and supervises the Product Development team on all R&D efforts (including Formulation Development, Scale-up/Tech Transfer, etc.) to create new and novel products which complement the SkinMedica product array. Provides technical support to product inquiries and helps strengthen SkinMedica scientific credibility by delivering scientific presentations/workshops at Educational Summits and Sales Training.  
• Manages strategic relationship with suppliers, support External Innovation & Open Science efforts for skincare – proactively identifying new ingredients and innovation opportunities, support external diligence activities. 
• Leads Product Presentation and Design Strategy Team to oversee development plan for skincare assets through stage gate process.  Co-leads with Upstream Marketing in identifying emerging trends/technologies and organizing Innovation/Ideation Workshops to create new pipeline ideas. #

• Ten or more years of industry experience in the development of cosmetic and OTC topical formulations – especially in the areas of skin and sun care or adjacent formulation development. 
• Strong background in product formulation and a track record of successful US and global product launches.
• Experience in managing, mentoring and coaching a team of creative and talented scientists.  Particularly, experience in managing a team of chemists/technicians in a R&D formulation laboratory is highly desired.
• Key relationships with major raw material and ingredient suppliers are critical.
• Sound knowledge of product quality and stability protocols is essential.
• Strong track record of talent development. 
• Strong track record of communication with cross functional partners to influence and drive programs forward, 
• Track record of building a culture of innovation agility and trust.

Preferred Skills/Qualification

The below skills are attributes that may not be mandatory but are definitely desired in the ideal candidate.

• Familiarity with scale-up and manufacturing, as well as with US and international ingredient/product regulations, is preferred.  

Education

• PhD with 12+ years of experience OR BS/MS with 15+ years. 

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs​

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Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

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