Director, Product Development

Who You Are:

You are an experienced team leader, with a curious mindset, who approaches problem solving with a creative mind and a desire to think outside the box while still coloring inside the lines. You lead your team with empathy and integrity, bringing out the best in your team and inspiring them to be ambitious and accountable as you collaborate with and learn alongside them. As The Director of Product Development you will be responsible for managing all aspects of developing new products from concept to commercialization, including formulation, testing and production. You will bring a keen eye for innovation and passion for creating unique, sustainable, safe, and efficacious products for the global Supergoop! customer. Reporting to the Senior Director or Product Development, you will lead and develop a team of top-class Product Development Managers and work closely with Packaging, Regulatory, Marketing, Sales and Operations

Responsibilities: 

Team Management

• Assist Sr. Director and VP of Product in building a global team of PD Managers and Coordinators responsible for all Color and Complexion launches as well as Global Launches specific to the APAC/EU Markets.
• Support PD Managers and Coordinators with prioritization of tasks and goals, removing roadblocks and ensuring resource allocation.
• Motivate and lead the engagement of team members and constantly identify opportunities for their growth, contributions and visibility within the department and the company.

 Strategy

• Help execute and support the product strategy and global roadmap by gathering competitive intelligence, consumer feedback and analyzing trends to provide insights that help inform strategic planning.
• Help drive core franchise and hero product evolution while supporting a 3-to-5-year product innovation pipeline across global brand-building channels.
• Manage strategic product lifecycle analysis, COGs improvements and ensure SKU management across a growing, global product portfolio.
• Continually evaluate the health of the product portfolio through performance tracking, sales, social listening, etc. and put plans in place to address challenges and opportunities.
• Implement and innovate process improvements via collaboration in a growing team-focused environment.

 Formula Development

• Support Innovation pipeline by attending Trade shows, sourcing trend insights and market data analytics, and facilitating CM and Ingredient Supplier presentations.
• Drive the team to identify new ingredient technologies, formats, textures and key trends across the competitive landscape.
• Support Managers in driving comprehensive Product Development Briefs which include product concept, point of difference, formula attributes, ingredient opportunities, texture benchmarks and product claims. Align with VP of Product and Sr. Director of Product on direction in collaboration with Founder and CEO.
• Work closely with PD Manager direct reports to evaluate lab submissions, share feedback to R&D partners and re-direct submissions until desired attributes and performance are achieved.
• Responsible for overseeing all timelines and communication across departments as it relates to formulation, testing, creative and regulatory deliverables to maintain product launches remain on track to the global calendar.
• Ensure all formulas meet safety, efficacy and global compliance testing requirements including stability, compatibility, PET, RIPT, etc.
• Develop Claims Strategy per launch and work closely with Regulatory to ensure consumer perception testing protocols and clinical testing requirements are met to support all product claims.
• Maintain oversight on PD packaging development requests to source and/or design functional and compatible components for every formula in development.
• Manage and develop relationships with contract manufacturers, formulators, and raw material suppliers to ensure best outcomes in terms of customer support, pricing and timeline management to meet all critical deliverables.
• Prepare product knowledge marketing and educational materials, positioning statements and fact sheets to support every new product launch.

 Commercialization

• Work closely with PD team and Commercialization Manager to support launch deliverables and timelines, report on progress and critical updates to key stakeholders and senior leadership, proactively identify risks and roadblocks and devise back-up and mitigation plans.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or related field, or equivalent work experience
• 7+ years of product development experience in the beauty or personal care industries
• Complexion, Color and/or Sun care experience a plus
• Proven track record in overseeing end-to-end product launches
• Excellent project management skills, ability to deliver multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities and meet competing deadlines; maintain creative and active problem solving to drive on time and quality delivery for all projects and partner with various levels in the organization
• Proven ability to translate consumer needs into technical deliverables
• Knowledge of ingredient efficacy, regulatory affairs, stage-gate processes, and project management
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with great poise and confidence in delivery
• Excited to collaborate and contribute in a fast-growing, positive environment