Product Development Assistant

About The Role 

We are looking for a proactive, highly organised Product Development Assistant to support our Product Development team across all categories. You’ll take ownership of the day-to-day administration, sample handling, project tracking, documentation and logistics that keep development moving, giving our developers more time to focus on the products themselves. 

Reporting to the Product Development Manager, you’ll support the wider team rather than one individual developer. You’ll work closely with Research & Development, Quality Control, Supply Chain, Design and Operations, as well as suppliers, couriers and freight providers. 

This is an entry point into a career in product development at Tropic. Alongside keeping the team organised, you’ll build your understanding of how products move from brief to launch, share your views on samples and trends, and grow your development skills over time. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Prepare, organise and distribute samples for reviews, testing and meetings, maintaining the sample library and tracking returns. 
• Keep Asana boards and project trackers up to date, following up on actions and flagging delays. 
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing parcels, tracking deliveries and resolving courier queries. 
• Maintain accurate documentation and the packaging specification register in Dot Compliance, following up with suppliers ahead of tooling and production deadlines and flagging missing, outdated or mismatched information before it delays sign-off. 
• Organise team and supplier meetings, prepare materials, capture minutes and follow up on actions. 
• Coordinate travel, accommodation and logistics for team trips and trade shows. 
• Manage the shared Product Development inbox, responding to routine requests and directing enquiries to the right people. 
• Contribute ideas and opinions on samples, products and beauty trends as your knowledge develops.

What We’re Looking For

• Highly organised and proactive, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities. 
• Passionate about beauty and skincare, curious about ingredients and formulations, and confident forming and sharing your own views on products, samples and trends. 
• Comfortable combining hands-on sample preparation with administrative work. 
• A clear communicator who enjoys working with colleagues and suppliers. 
• Confident using Microsoft 365 and task management tools such as Asana, with a willingness to learn new systems and AI tools.
• A relevant qualification, such as a degree in Cosmetic Science or a related discipline, would be advantageous.  

What We Offer 

Employment Type: This role is offered full-time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. 

Location: Tropic HQ is a short walk from Beddington Lane Tram stop, with direct links to East Croydon and Wimbledon. 

Hybrid Working: Enjoy a blend of office and remote working with a minimum of 3 days in the office. 

Salary: £30,000 

Benefits: Hybrid working, up to 33 days’ holiday. Enhanced family leave, Private Medical Insurance, Medicash plan, life insurance, (All available after a qualifying period). EAP through the Wisdom App, generous product allowance and 50% discount for family and friends, access to retailer discounts, Cycle to Work and Electric Car schemes, free breakfast bar, on-site parking, regular social events, and plenty of well-being treats throughout the year.  

Start Date: Immediate 

About Tropic

Susie, our Founder and CEO, started Tropic Skincare as a teenager, selling homemade body scrubs at Greenwich Market to help her mum pay the bills. She sold out on her first day, and the incredible response made her realise she had started something quite special. 

We still sell that iconic body scrub, and it sits alongside an extensive range of award-winning skincare and beauty products that have made us one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty businesses. Our brand is certified vegan, cruelty-free and CarbonNeutral®, and our infinite purpose is to create a healthier, greener, more empowered world. And that’s where you come in! 

We’re looking for creative and ambitious people who share our vision and get excited about beauty that’s both innovative and sustainable. If you’re passionate about skincare and have a genuine desire to empower communities across the globe, you could be a great fit. 

Apply now if you’re ready to join a vibrant team who believes beauty knows no bounds! 

Tropic’s Commitment to Equal Opportunities

Our team is as diverse as it is talented because at Tropic, we go the extra mile to cultivate a culture of respect and belonging. We value every candidate, respect protected characteristics and never discriminate. We also provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities at every stage of the hiring process, so if this is something you need, please let our recruitment team know at the earliest opportunity! 

Ultimately, the most important thing for us is hiring the best person for the job, so we focus on skills, experience, and qualifications to ensure our process is fair and that our candidates always have a great experience with Tropic.