London · Cosmetics & Toiletries

Dani Elkinson

Technical Project Manager
NPD · Compliance · Formulation · Supplier Management · Delivery

I lead own-brand cosmetics from concept to shelf — translating ideas into compliant, manufacturable, commercially viable products. I keep internal stakeholders and suppliers aligned, artwork accurate, formulations stable, and launches moving. With a background in formulation science, and the SCS Diploma in Cosmetic Science, I don’t just manage timelines — I understand the chemistry, the claims, and the regulations behind every SKU.

Where creativity meets compliance. Where detail meets delivery. Where chaos meets control.

40+ SKUs / year End-to-end NPD UK & EU compliance
Portrait of Dani Elkinson
Beauty · NPD · Technical
From concept brief to launch. Own-brand cosmetics delivered on time, on budget, and without compromise.
01 · Experience

End-to-end delivery in beauty

From early formulation work to leading technical project management, I bridge NPD, suppliers, commercial teams, and regulatory requirements to get products launched — properly.

Technical Project Manager · Own Brand

Cosmetics & Toiletries · London
  • Lead end-to-end NPD for own-brand cosmetics and toiletries, delivering 50+ SKUs per year across categories.
  • Own technical delivery: specifications, testing, regulatory checks, artwork accuracy, and supplier technical alignment.
  • Manage critical paths, risks, and dependencies to keep launches on time and commercially viable.
  • Act as the technical bridge between NPD, suppliers, commercial, quality, and regulatory teams.
NPD stage-gate Artwork & INCI Supplier management Costing awareness

Formulation & Science Background

MSc Formulation Science · BSc Chemistry
  • Academic and practical grounding in formulation, stability, and material science applied directly to real-world NPD.
  • Comfortable interrogating lab data, challenge test results, and stability outcomes to support robust launches.
  • Able to translate complex technical detail into clear decisions for non-technical stakeholders.
Formulation literacy Stability & testing Claims & performance
02 · Portfolio

Selected product stories

A snapshot of launches I’ve supported — anonymised where needed — focusing on the technical decisions, challenges, and outcomes behind each product.

Case Study · Fragrance
Moisturising shower gel range
Multi-SKU launch · High-volume own brand

Managed portfolio of existing and new fragrances across, APDs, Body Mists and EDPs, aligning multiple fragrance houses and manufacturers and accounting for regulatory changes for increased allergens requiring declaring and modifications to remain compliant both internally and legally.

Multi-SKU coordination Claims & INCI Supplier alignment
Case Study · Skincare
Trend-led Korean inspired facial skincare
Performance-focused · Regulatory heavy

Supported the development of skincare ranges with tight claims and stability requirements. Worked with suppliers to refine formulations, review testing data, and ensure packaging and artwork accurately reflected usage, warnings, and regulatory constraints.

Actives & stability Regulatory detail Artwork accuracy
Case Study · Toiletries
Seasonal gifting sets
Complex timelines · Multiple suppliers

Led technical delivery for expansion of existing shower gel range, exploring new product types and formats, making sure that the product performance matched benchmarks with claims substantiated. Ensured all variants remained compliant across UK/EU.

Critical path Multi-component packs Risk management
03 · Skills

Technical, project, commercial

A blend of formulation literacy, regulatory understanding, and structured project delivery — grounded in real NPD experience.

Technical & Regulatory
  • UK/EU cosmetics regulation, INCI, and pack copy requirements.
  • Strong understanding of CPSR, safety assessments, and testing requirements required for the PIF.
  • Stability, compatibility, and challenge test interpretation.
  • Claims support and alignment with technical data.
Project & Delivery
  • Stage-gate NPD management from brief to launch.
  • Critical path ownership and risk identification.
  • Cross-functional alignment across NPD, commercial, quality, and regulatory.
  • Supplier management and technical communication.
Commercial & Tools
  • Costing awareness and value engineering conversations with suppliers.
  • Artwork and PLM systems, spec management, and documentation control.
  • Advanced use of spreadsheets and structured trackers for NPD.
  • Clear written communication for technical and non-technical audiences.
04 · About

The person behind the projects

A formulation scientist turned technical project manager, with a soft spot for beautiful products and very accurate spreadsheets.

I started in formulation and chemistry, drawn to the way small changes in ingredients could completely transform how a product feels, performs, and behaves over time. That curiosity (alongside my Youtube Tutorial addiction back in 2016!) naturally evolved into a focus on how products move from idea to reality — and what it takes to get them onto shelves without cutting corners.

Today, I sit at the intersection of science, operations, and brand. I create briefs with clear technical requirements, keep suppliers honest, and make sure every detail — from the odour, colour and texture of the formulation, to the INCI order and on-pack claims — stands up to scrutiny.

My style is organised, direct, and calm under pressure. I’m the “chaos controller” in group projects and in life: the one who knows the deadlines, the dependencies, and the backup plan if something slips.

Outside of work, I stay close to the beauty world through trends, and real consumer behaviour. A keen member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists #FutureSoc I coordinate and host networking events across the UK to make sure that students and those new to the industry have the opportunity to network and connect with like minded individuals. I also regularly attend CEW events as a Young Executive member.

05 · Contact

Let’s talk

Whether it’s technical project roles, collaboration, or just comparing notes on NPD chaos — I’m always open to a conversation.

If you’d like to connect about opportunities, projects, or anything in the cosmetics and toiletries space, the best way to reach me is via email. I’m based in London and open to hybrid and flexible working conversations.
Response time: typically within a couple of days.