Director, Product Development- Beauty

Job Summary: 

The Director, Product Development - Beauty is responsible for driving new products strategy in the Beauty category, including skincare and color. This individual will be responsible for end to end negotiating of the Product Development life-cycle including but not limited to: manufacturing costs, raw material sourcing, product components and labels.  This position identifies vendors to work with in creating new products, product lines and brands.    Responsible for ensuring product design is consistent with market trends, business strategy and ensuring product quality and efficacy.   This position will manage multiple, complex projects and drive outcomes and optimal results.

Job Expectations: 

• Excellent negotiation skills
• Build strong strategic relationships and maintain effective communications with suppliers
• Work with strategic partners to identify novel ingredients, products and formats for category 
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning, to drive strategic sourcing goals
• Work with procurement and marketing to generate new ideas and sourcing options
• Execute initiatives with our suppliers to ensure product quality and efficacy
• Understanding industry domestic regulations (FDA, OTC, 21CFR) and global regulations that could impact our products. Understand manufacturing practice and quality management requirements
• Establishes regular communications stream and follow-up with all team/project members
• Partner with Marketing and iHerb (marketing and purchasing) to develop new products to evaluate. Suggest new product ideas/ingredient suggestions
• Build awareness and communicate emerging trends in the marketplace regarding demand for key ingredients – any potential sourcing supply issues due to the global marketplace 
• Evaluate market and supplier information regarding the potential impact of material changes. Provide this feedback to be able to maintain a consistent supply to avoid market price fluctuations
• Manage the approval process (including timelines) for product design/development submissions and ensure vendors, the creative team and management are current on all steps of the process
• Prepare product formula documentation to send out for quotation and support communications with contract manufacturers during the quotation and development process
• Ensure formulations are high quality, cost effective, efficacious and meet brand guidelines
• Recommend pricing strategies that maintain COG targets and meet MSRP requirements
• Plan and maintain a running three (3) calendar for new product and revised product launches
• Act as primary liaison with Marketing, Legal and Quality Assurance departments during the product development phase
• Create strategy for product development team for future platform growth in key consumer need state areas  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

   Required:

• Excellent negotiation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and to be able to communicate effectively
• Detail oriented, strong analytical skills, team-player
• Proven ability to perform in complex, fast paced environment
• Work in cross functional team environment
• Ability to work in a constant changing environment
• Demonstrated success with being results and proactive solution driven, with strong ability to think critically to overcome potential business hurdles to complete tasks
• Coach and develop direct reports

Equipment Knowledge: 

• Experience with Microsoft Excel and the use of formulas preferred
• Experience with Google Business Suite (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) preferred

Experience Requirements:

Generally requires a minimum of eight  (8) plus years of direct management experience and eight (8) plus years of consumer product management experience. Product Development Experience a plus.

Education Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Pharmaceutical Science or related field preferred, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.

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