Skincare Product Lead in London

Mitra Bio is a skin longevity platform powered by a patented skin epigenetic test. We measure your skin biology and then personalize interventions including skincare and lifestyle that will work to slow biological aging. We are the only company in the world that can read skin DNA methylation non‑invasively which is patented and published in Nature and the British Journal of Dermatology. Now we’re developing a range of topical skincare products targeting epigenetic biomarkers to slow down the aging processes.

We are looking for a skincare product development lead to develop biotech-inspired formulations that target the root cause of skin aging using active ingredients identified by our platform.

Purpose of this role

You will lead the development and execution of personalised, innovative, science‑led skincare products. You will take product concepts through each stage of the development lifecycle, supporting research, ingredient selection, sampling, preclinical and clinical testing, and formulation/iteration of prototypes to explore texture, performance, and compatibility. You will also work with marketing and design teams for packaging design, copy for artwork to keep up with the latest longevity trends. You’ll assist in identifying contract manufacturers, testing partners and regulatory bodies. You will compile technical and regulatory documentation, managing timelines and cross‑functional workflows, and supporting beta testing programs by coordinating and analysing user feedback. Your work will ensure that each product is rigorously tested, aligned with brand goals, and efficiently transitioned from concept to launch.

You are someone who previously formulated and launched biotech‑inspired products and knows the skincare industry inside out.

You will own

• Product Development (35%) — End‑to‑end ownership of skincare product development from concept, formulation, testing to launch. The top bar is someone who has led this full lifecycle multiple times with commercial success.
• Ingredients & Trends (25%) — Deep knowledge of skincare actives (peptides, longevity ingredients, etc.) and ability to translate emerging science/trends into product concepts.
• Supply Chain (20%) — Hands‑on experience sourcing and managing formulators or formulating yourself, contract manufacturers, and packaging suppliers — ideally built these relationships from scratch.
• Startup & Brand Fit (10%) — Experience at startups or indie skincare brands where they wore multiple hats, not just siloed corporate roles.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and lead the pipeline for the startup brand product portfolio, and lead new product development process for formula and package from concept to launch.
• Formulation: Source and evaluate raw materials, including requesting samples, reviewing technical documentation, and maintaining ingredient libraries.
• Formulate and iterate early‑stage prototypes to explore texture, efficacy, and ingredient compatibility.
• Compile scientific dossiers, regulatory documents, and supporting data for internal review and external manufacturing partners.
• Coordinate sample creation, labeling, and third‑party clinical testing partners.
• Supply chain and manufacturing: Select and lead relationships with contract manufacturers, packaging vendors, and 3PL providers. Negotiate terms, manage quality, and build a supply chain that’s reliable at launch and scalable beyond it.
• Packaging: Lead the sourcing and evaluation of primary packaging options in collaboration with the Design agency, and coordinate compatibility testing of formulas with selected components to ensure stability, usability, and performance across real‑world conditions.
• Act as scientific liaison, translating product technologies into consumer‑facing touch points to develop storytelling, artwork for packaging, marketing collateral, and website content, and address FAQs from consumers.
• Conduct claim substantiation and regulatory compliance reviews to support domestic and international market expansions; work with third‑party certification bodies to ensure meeting guidelines for US market launch.

This hybrid role offers the opportunity to combine scientific research and operational leadership, making a significant impact on the development of innovative skincare solutions.

Qualifications & experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Chemistry, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline.
• At least 1–3 years of experience in skincare, personal care, cosmetic, or CPG product development or formulation support.
• Candidates with a background or certification in Cosmetic Formulation Science are highly encouraged to apply.
• Familiarity with formulation principles and cosmetic ingredients; hands‑on experience preparing and evaluating prototypes preferred.
• Past experience with developing personalised formulae is strongly desired.
• Direct experience launching a consumer skincare product end‑to‑end: from pre‑launch through to market, ideally in a DTC or hybrid channel.
• Demonstrable success managing external operational partners (contract manufacturers, formulators, regulatory, packaging, 3PL) through a launch.
• Strong project and program management instincts: you can hold the Gantt chart and the customer experience vision in your head simultaneously.
• High agency and bias to action: you make things happen in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments without waiting for perfect information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication: you can brief a designer, a manufacturer, an investor, and a customer with equal clarity.
• Comfort working closely with scientific founders and translating science into consumer‑grade product narratives.
• Sound commercial judgement: you understand unit economics, margin, and the trade‑offs between speed, cost, and quality.
• Familiarity with the longevity, biotech‑adjacent, or medical‑grade skincare categories.
• Prior founder, 0‑1, or first‑hire experience in a venture‑backed consumer business.
• An existing network of formulators, manufacturers, or skincare operators in the UK, EU, or US.