Director, Product Development (Topicals)

About You

The Director of Product Development and Marketing, Topicals is a key member of the Product Team overseeing the 3-year pipeline for topical products, reporting directly into the VP of Product Development & Marketing. The Director of Product Development and Marketing will develop a strategic roadmap to support the company’s growth goals, manage the end-to-end development of the products, lead the marketing communications and go-to-market strategy for new and existing products with their team.

This role will work closely with the Director of Product Development and Marketing, Supplements, the Director of Product Education, and with cross-functional partners across brand marketing, supply chain, R&D, and clinical & medical affairs for all new products in an accelerated timeline along with optimizations, merchandising and marketing support for all existing products.  

Responsibilities: 

• Work with the Vice President to define the brand’s product development and marketing objectives of topical products for strategic brand growth
• Manage roadmap product development strategy to support the brand's strategic direction, including focus in fast-growing categories and subcategories, hero products, and brand-building channels
• Collaborate with Brand, Growth, Retention and other teams to build product RTBs and marketing differentiation for new and existing product optimizations
• Support Digital Product, Professional, Retail and Amazon teams with assortment strategy and merchandising collaboration
• Ideate, prepare and present upfront planning process documents including COGS, sales price, development timelines and competitive reviews for leadership approval on product recommendations
• Proactively remain on top of the fast-moving competitive and market landscape to identify key areas to win
• Alongside the Director of R&D, drive and execute the formulation of efficacious products with strategic vision, including desired benefits, COGs targets, formula validation and sustainable sourcing
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and R&D to vet co-manufacturers 
• Own the product packaging process for all new products and existing product optimizations with strong cross-functional collaboration of Supply Chain, Brand Marketing, Regulatory, Legal, Safety & Quality and Creative
• Identify and execute on white space opportunities based on findings from consumer insights, social listening, CRM data and from other industries, providing input into the strategic development of the product development calendar
• Develop product and marketing claims requests to have clinical studies conducted by Scientific Affairs through final approval of Regulatory and Legal and train marketing cross functionals on final claims and benefits of product assortment
• Lead the product brief process, working closely with the Science and Clinical teams and gaining approval from senior leadership to develop products with advanced technologies, the best ingredients and unique points of difference
• Lead the launch activation with close collaboration with Packaging Design, Supply Chain and Brand Marketing including a full Go to Market strategy that incorporates product messaging and naming
• Identify areas of improvement for current products’ experience and continuously improve the packaging and welcome experience for new and existing customers

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 8+ years of experience in product marketing & development within the hair- and/or skin-care sector of the beauty industry
• 3+ years of experience managing and/or coaching a team; experience building and leading a growing team strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ownership of programs, embracing strategic vision as well as excellence in execution
• Team player with the ability to build and nurture strong relationships and gain the respect of members of internal and cross-functional teams
• Excellent oral and written communication, analytical, and creative skills
• Flexible and determined, with the ability to juggle multiple projects & dedication to execute successfully
• Fosters an encouraging, respectful, team-oriented organization