Professional Lead Product Developer in Aylesbury

We are seeking an experienced Lead Product Developer to drive the end-to-end development of innovative professional beauty products, treatments, and devices for salon, spa, and clinical environments within the Medik8 brand. This role blends formulation science, device-enabled treatment expertise, and strategic leadership to deliver high-performance solutions that meet the demands of professional service providers. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation and experience developing best in class professional products, hands-on experience with professional treatments and devices, and a passion for advancing service-based beauty innovation. This is a hybrid role with 3 days per week based at our Innovation Centre in Aylesbury and 2 days from home.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full development lifecycle of professional products, in-salon treatments, and device-enabled systems from concept through commercialisation ensuring they align with Medik8’s brand vision, values and long-term strategic objectives.
• Responsible for the roll out and alignment of Professional Product Strategy across key stakeholders within Medik8 with support of Head of Product Design.
• Work alongside the Product Design team to ensure synergy between retail and professional offering with emphasis on an outcome-led approach.
• Create best-in-class professional products that work in synergy with relevant modalities that can amplify product performance.
• Develop protocols that integrate formulations, devices, and professional techniques to deliver measurable results.
• Support the management of protocol validation from pre-launch, growth and maturity optimisation, taking appropriate steps to re-engineer where appropriate.
• Translate professional user needs, market trends and scientific advancements into differentiated product and treatment concepts.
• Partner with external device manufacturers to support development, testing, and refinement of professional tools and devices.

Scientific & Technical Leadership

• Oversee professional formulation development, treatment performance testing, and device compatibility.
• Ensure claims are substantiated through clinical, instrumental, or in-salon testing as appropriate.
• Evaluate emerging technologies relevant to professional beauty services.

Regulatory, Safety & Quality

• Ensure all products, treatments, and devices comply with applicable regulatory and safety requirements across key markets.
• Collaborate with regulatory and quality teams to manage documentation, risk assessments, and approvals for devices and treatments.
• Support proper labeling, instructions for use, protocols, and professional education materials.

Commercial Performance & Portfolio Management

• Own the consolidation and reporting of professional product & category analysis.
• Feed relevant insights into the end-to-end innovation process and commercial teams.
• Monitor and analyse professional product performance across all channels, utilising sales data, market research, and customer feedback to drive data-led decisions.
• Support the development and execution of commercial marketing plans and go-to-market strategies for new and existing professional products, ensuring a compelling, science-backed narrative.
• Manage the professional product lifecycle, including optimisation of product and packaging, taking necessary steps to re-engineer where appropriate.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain & Operational teams to ensure Professional Product Portfolio is in service of Material Margin target delivery.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the professional technical lead across R&D, marketing, education, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Support professional education teams with technical content, service protocols, and hands-on training.
• Partner with marketing to ensure accurate, compelling communication of product, treatment, and device benefits.
• Ensure all product claims and communications are carefully substantiated, scientifically accurate, legally compliant, and aligned with our B Corp values of sustainability and ethics.

Vendor & Partner Management

• Manage relationships with ingredient suppliers, testing labs, and device development partners.
• Assess new technologies, vendors, and treatment modalities aligned with Medik8 brand strategy and innovation goals.

Leadership & Team Development

• Establish best practices for professional product, treatment, and device development.

Requirements

• Substantial experience in professional beauty product development, including treatments and/or devices.
• Demonstrated experience developing professional protocols, in-salon treatments, or device-enabled systems.
• Strong understanding of formulation science, ingredient functionality, and treatment performance.
• Working knowledge of cosmetic, device-adjacent, and professional-use regulatory requirements.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Ability to integrate products, treatments, and devices into cohesive professional systems.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Strategic, innovation-driven mindset balanced with technical and commercial feasibility.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in translating technical concepts for professional users.
• Proven experience in developing highly technical and consumer facing skincare products, preferably with experience in developing alongside formulators.
• Understanding of skincare science as well as experience in managing a product portfolio to identify opportunities & risks.
• Advanced knowledge of skincare ingredients, trends and topics.
• Advanced skincare claims knowledge, preferably with experience in managing skincare claims trials, including clinical and consumer trials.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• An innovative and problem solving attitude with the ability to use data to inform decision making.
• Strong communication skills; both written and presenting.
• Exceptional organisational skills and a meticulous attention to detail.
• An agile mindset who thrives in a fast paced environment.
• A self-starter with a results-driven, positive mindset.
• Creative and consistently thinking outside of the box.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Cosmetic Science, or related discipline.
• Background working directly with salons, spas, medical aesthetics, or pro-only distribution channels.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire.

About Us

Founded in 2009 by UK scientists and brothers, we are a British, B Corp certified skincare brand renowned for clinical results without compromise. Our mission is to simplify the route to great skin through our pioneering CSA Philosophy: Vitamin C plus Sunscreen by day, and Vitamin A by night.

Culture & Benefits

We are a team of collaborative go-givers fuelled by a purpose-driven mentality. Innovation is at our core; we pride ourselves on doing everything in-house, challenging the norm and pushing the boundaries of possibility. We work with integrity and agility, ensuring our commitment to sustainability and quality is never compromised. Above all, we believe in community. Our diverse talents work cross-functionally because we know we achieve more together. It’s just who we are!

Some of the perks of being part of the Medik8 team include:

• Wellbeing: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, Flexible & Hybrid working, Private Medical Insurance, Mental Health support.
• Rewards: 75% Discount + Annual Product Allowance, Annual Performance Bonus, Long Service Awards.
• Growth: Up-skilling support, regular Lunch & Learns, Flexible Career opportunities.
• Impact: 2 Volunteering days per year, Matched Charitable Giving Scheme.

Want to do a little more research before you apply? Head over to our main careers page to find out more about the team and our values. You can also find out more about us on LinkedIn, Glassdoor & Instagram.

Our BCorp Commitment to JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion):

At Medik8, we are committed to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered. We believe a rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives fuels the innovation behind our products. Research shows many candidates only apply if they meet 100% of a job description, however, we use the 60% Rule: if you meet over 60% of the requirements and have the passion to learn the rest, we want to hear from you.

Our Inclusive Hiring Standards:

• Fair Chance Hiring: To support systemic justice, we do not request criminal record or credit checks during the application stage (unless legally required for the role).
• Blind Recruiting: We use anonymised CV screening to focus purely on your talent and reduce bias.
• Disability Confident: As a Level 2 employer, we guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum role criteria.
• Immigration Integrity: We welcome all applicants within current Home Office guidance on sponsorship and Right to Work. We never artificially manipulate role scopes or salaries to meet requirements.

Be your authentic self. Apply today.