Director, Product Development (NYC)

HOURGLASS COSMETICS — DIRECTOR, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT (NYC - Hybrid Role) 

Connected by creativity and driven by purpose. Hourglass Cosmetics is a vegan and cruelty-free beauty brand, redefining luxury cosmetics with high-performance products, innovative formulas, and award-winning franchises. Recognized by Forbes, Fast Company and Time Magazine as one of the most inventive beauty companies, Hourglass leads the industry with its breakthrough products and its commitment to animal welfare. Founded in 2004, Hourglass is globally available in 32 markets and nearly 4,600 doors including Sephora, Ulta, Neiman Marcus, Selfridges, Space NK and more. Hourglass became part of the Unilever Prestige division in 2017. Discover more about the Hourglass brand story and mission on our website hourglasscosmetics.com.

Reporting to the VP, Product Development, this role is a key leader in the Product Development Department, responsible for the concepting, development and execution of products, consistent with the brand’s vision and commitment to innovation, high performance and luxury position.  The Director, Product Development owns the end-to-end development process, proactively engaging with, and managing, external as well as internal stakeholders/partners, from collaborative product ideation through all stages of development and testing, to successful, on-time product launches.  The scope of this role includes management and/or oversight of calendarized NPD projects, seasonal programs, product extensions and other innovation initiatives, as identified.  This role is expected to manage and mentor 1-2 direct reports and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including Packaging, Marketing, Operations, Regulatory, Quality, Artistry, and others as appropriate. 

The ideal candidate has solid experience in color cosmetics and a strong understanding of textures, ingredients, technologies and performance, especially as it relates to the luxury segment.  This person is a critical thinker, strategic problem solver, passionate about product and the beauty industry, and thrives in fast-changing environments.

WHAT YOU DO:

• Manage and execute all aspects of the product development process while ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members as appropriate and partnering closely with external vendors throughout the entire product development lifecycle
• Work closely with PD Project Manager to set timelines and critical milestones; provide regular project updates and proactively communicate foreseen challenges and schedule risks to the team while identifying and working through solutions
• Partner with VP Product Development, VP of Package Development and PD Project Manager on troubleshooting challenges in formulation, stability, and compatibility, ensuring timely resolutions without compromising product quality
• Lead conversations with Product Marketing to ideate new product concepts and align on assortment and category strategies and related PD initiatives; contribute to long-term NPD roadmap by bringing compelling product concepts to the discussion
• Collaborate with Product Marketing on product positioning and claims objectives, including alignment on target performance and ingredient claims to inform development/formulation
• Own and execute robust user testing processes throughout the PD lifecycle to support project efficiency and in-market success; partner with VP Product Development of ongoing definition of testing protocols and objectives; develop, field and analyze surveys and share insights
• Partner with Regulatory to define and execute all necessary regulatory testing and help manage testing processes towards timely completion; closely monitor product safety and stability testing while communicating updates and challenges to cross-functional teams and working toward resolutions
• Own development of product briefs and shade proposals, including coordination of input from cross-functional stakeholders, to guide vendors
• Develop and maintain thorough understanding of Hourglass portfolio and target consumer; perform regular analysis of assortment and product performance to identify opportunities for future improvement and development
• Continually analyze the category, competitive landscape and evolving consumer needs and preferences to determine innovation white space and inform shade and formula direction; share findings and insights with cross-functional team regularly
• Stay abreast of new/emerging ingredients, textures, technologies and other relevant industry developments and innovations while staying informed on manufacturing capabilities, testing protocols, and regulatory compliance
• Establish and maintain close working relationships and proactive communications with all vendors; coordinate vendor presentations and innovation sessions; visit vendor sites at key stages of project development, as necessary
• Prospect interesting innovation via attending relevant trade shows and scouting opportunities with vendor partners
• Revise or define new working processes where needed, in consultation with VP Product Development
• Build mentor and manage a team of 1-2 direct reports, providing support, guidance and coaching as necessary while fostering a collaborative environment that emphasizes creativity and attention to detail.
• Responsible for setting and issuing lab and production standards to manufacturing and quality control as well as providing disposition of the first 3 production batches for new product launches

 YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB IF:

• You are PASSIONATE and INNOVATIVE about beauty: You are curious, eager to learn and absorb all things beauty and how to build new trends through finding opportunities.
• Strong communicator and collaborator: You take proactive approach and communicate effectively with all members of the organization, from own team to cross-functional partners to top executives.
• Strategic and adaptive: You can efficiently anticipate, identify and articulate problems in real-time, and propose solutions. You are highly adaptable to shifting needs and opportunities.
• Results-oriented: You have a bias for action. You take ownership, seek inputs and alignment proactively, ask for guidance when needed, and make rationalized recommendations. 
• Optimistic: You see the opportunity in challenge and always seek to keep the teams in good working flow.
• Curious: You have a genuine interest and personal passion for beauty, luxury, design & art.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience working in product development in beauty, primarily in color cosmetics
• In-depth knowledge of end-to-end product innovation process with a proven track record of successfully launching innovative beauty products
• Excellent project management skills, including prioritization and escalation
• Technical understanding of formulas and shades as well as strong eye for color and texture
• Exceptional collaboration skills, with cross-functional/lateral management and process design experience
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, interpersonal) across all levels of organization
• High attention to detail
• Must love makeup and be excited about participation in product creation
• Highly adaptable, with seamless ability to take on new challenges and switch gears as necessary; embraces change and is a creative problem solver
• Must be able to travel for shade matching, first production onsite approvals, and trade shows at least 60% of the time, as needed

The expected base salary range for this position is $145,000.00 to $155,000.00. The exact base salary is determined by various factors including experience, skills, education, geographic location, and budget. This position is also eligible for participation in the company discretionary bonus plan, based on personal performance and company results.

In addition to base salary, Hourglass Cosmetics offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees, including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings plans and company match, paid family leave, education-related programs, paid holidays, discretionary vacation time, and more.

Hourglass is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive its business results and to create a better future every day for its diverse employees, global consumers, partners and communities. If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation in order to apply for a job listing, please contact us at 310-392-7799 or [email protected].
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.
Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination under Federal law. For more information, please see EEO is the Law.