Product Development Manager

Role Summary

The Product Development Manager oversees the Product Development process from concept to launch. This role leads and supports NPD through each stage-gate in the development process, as well as supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The technical aspects of the role require an in-depth knowledge of hair anatomy and an eagerness to learn and develop thoughtful launches with scholarly research.

Responsibilities

Research + Development

• Identify innovation opportunities for blue sky meetings using market research, gap analyses and innovation research
• Lead product/brand competitive analysis research
• Lead competitive claims analysis and build out consumer perception claims questionnaire in partnership with Product Marketing + Regulatory
• Meet regularly with raw material suppliers and attend trade shows for visibility into technology innovations to incorporate into NPD and/or reforms
• Lead Research for Development Dossiers inclusive of scholarly research to substantiate claims

Product Development

• Maintain and co-develop 3-year launch calendar
• Manage product development life cycle ensuring key milestones are met and timelines are upheld for on-time NPD launches
• Create Product Kick Off Decks for internal alignment on all aspects of the NPD in collaboration with Product Marketing
• Build formula briefs based off product proposition + brief multiple TPMs
• Lead TPM weekly status meetings ensuring progress on formula development + seamless communication
• Evaluate formula submissions, collect team feedback + redirect accordingly
• Ensure formulas are globally compliant at each submission in partnership with Regulatory
• Ensure formulas hit desired brand COGs set by team
• Monitoring the status of in-development formulas through accessible trackers
• Communicate sample distributions with formula details outlined via email to ELT
• Partner with fragrances houses to create new fragrance profiles, tweak existing, and stay compliant with changing allergen regulatory requirements
• Partner with team to test formulas internally, gather feedback, and use as substantiated for business award
• Esure sustainability pillars are infused in the development of every formulation
• Set standards for approved formulas based off scale up and first production
• Coordinate product comp development with Packaging Engineer
• Maintain Product Library, a centralized location for all NPD ideas/concepts
• Review all artwork for brand consistency and product accuracy
• Liaise with Product Marketing to ensure a proper launch strategy to support the sell-through of new launches
• Own and maintain PD budget

Customer Relations and Continuous Improvements

• Respond promptly to product-related customer inquiries
• Escalate trending product related concerns to quality, help investigate formula driven issues and propose solutions
• Continually evaluate existing products for areas of improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum 5+ years PD related experience in haircare, skincare, or body care
• Demonstrates ability to manage multiple projects, pivoting and adjusting as needed.
• Experience in budget management
• Strong technical background for developing formulations to aid in problem solving.
• Eagerness for continuing education
• Strong communication and working relationship with global contract manufacturers and vendors.
• Passionate about beauty!

About Briogeo

At Briogeo, we are on a mission to empower every person to succeed on their unique healthy hair journey. We accomplish this mission by providing our community with the right products, tools, and education to thrive.

Briogeo is an Equal Opportunity Employer where the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. We believe that opportunity, access, resources, and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Briogeo is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

We disclose the compensation range for positions in compliance with local law. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Briogeo / Wella Company's total rewards package for employees. Pay Range: $80,000 - $90,000 salary per year. Other rewards may include an annual bonus plan or variable pay, depending on the role. In addition, Briogeo / Wella Company provides a rich variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance, life, and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).