Sr Manager, Soft Product Innovation Lab

| Greater NYC Area | Hybrid
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About the Team

The R&D Soft Product Innovation Team at Harry’s is responsible for all personal care category launches from concept to market. We are a team of researchers and product developers who are on a mission to create things people like more. And now, we are building our own internal formulation laboratory in Wayne, NJ to further our innovation wheelhouse. As our brands continue to grow, the Soft Product Laboratory will be a key driver for new product innovation and continuous improvement, raising the bar for product excellence.

About the Role

As the pioneer team member of the Soft Product Laboratory, the Senior Chemist will help lead the global development of new product introductions, and play a key role for improvement of multiple personal care categories for the Harry’s, Flamingo, and Headquarters brands, in very close partnership with the PD Team. You will help bring products to market that meet our customer’s needs, true to all our brand positionings. You will also help maintain quality of our current product portfolios and improve efficiencies with supplier relations.  

We seek a strong team player with a passion and appreciation for creating products that drive performance with pleasing aesthetics, and rigor to meet challenging timelines. The candidate should be energized by working in a fast-paced, creative environment, and have prior formulation experience in consumer beauty products, with a desire to build a foundation for future growth.

Over time, the Senior Chemist will help build and lead a team to support additional brands.

What you will accomplish:

Innovation:

  • Participate as a key stakeholder in the concept ideation process for the innovation pipeline.
  • Create innovative formulas that meet performance and aesthetic briefs, within defined pricing and timeline allotted. Personal care categories include body, face, and hair.
  • Assess and track formulation performance, according to stability guidelines and applicable regulations. 
  • Demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness in proactively identifying and proposing solutions to issues that may arise during product development or in transfer to manufacturing
  • Maintain close awareness of scientific literature, patents, raw material technology, processing methodology, and marketing trends required to perform innovative product development.
  • Attend sourcing trips, pilots, first production as needed.

Continuous Improvement:

  • Identify and manage opportunities for continuous improvement of current portfolio- includes root-cause analysis, cost-savings initiatives, and tech transfer assistance as needed.
  • Work cross-functionally and manage third-party relationships to execute on improvement strategies. 

Lab Management:

  • Develop stability protocols and manage in-house stability
  • Build upon the laboratory process and oversee a safe and orderly laboratory environment.
  • Ensure precise lab notebook record keeping- including formulations, processes, specs, and conclusions are reported to the R&D network. Manage raw material stocks and packaging inventory, ensure traceability of all needed information. 

This should describe you:

  • Product Developer at heart – Excited by new products, technologies, formats, and how they interact with one another to create the ultimate user experience, down to the last detail, have pride in the work and development of creating things.
  • Creative problem solver - Energized by puzzles, and can't sleep until a solution is found. 
  • Life-long learner: Hunger for knowledge, admits when they don’t know the answer and diligently works to find it. 
  • Proactive doer: Gets things done before being asked to do them. 
  • Process/systems builder: Creates new systems/processes so that every detail has a place and every place has its detail
  • Relentless commitment to achieving goals and objectives: Won't give up until key stakeholders align and commit (internal colleagues and external suppliers), maintaining positive relationships for long term success 
  • Professional, enthusiastic, a solid team player and possess a drive for results.  
  • Extremely organized, dependable and self-motivated with the ability to excel in a hands-on, fast paced environment.
  • You thrive on direct, honest, and supportive communication.
  • You are always thinking about how to help the teammates around you excel
  • To you, there’s nothing more exciting than a new challenge
  • Sense of humor -- we take our work seriously and ourselves un-seriously

Here's who you'll work with: 

  • You’ll report into the Senior Director of Soft Product Innovation
  • You’ll work with internal teams including Product Development, Product Research, Packaging, Quality, Project Management, Sourcing and External Suppliers and Contract Manufacturers.

Requirements:

  • Bachelors in Chemistry, Biology, or related field of science
  • Proven track record of high level performance with 8-11 years of experience in cosmetics, personal care, or health & beauty industries.
  • Direct experience working in dynamic teams, driving process, interacting with vendors and key partners to ensure delivery of projects against aggressive timelines.
  • Demonstrated analytical abilities and negotiating skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively at all levels in the organization and with suppliers to manage multiple projects and changing business needs.
  • Responsible, dependable, self-starter/proactive with strong initiative.
  • Willing and able to travel (post-Covid) as needed - domestic and international.


Harry’s Inc. started in 2013 with simple, fairly priced products that delivered an amazing experience to guys every day. Since then, Harry’s expanded to the UK, developed relationships with retailers such as Target and Walmart, expanded our grooming brand into a personal care powerhouse, and launched a women’s brand called Flamingo.

The key to our success? Our amazing people. From chemists, mechanical engineers, CX associates, to creative directors, sourcing managers, and logistics specialists, Harry’s team is comprised of some of the most brilliant, diverse, and humble people you’ll ever meet.

Our brands answer unmet consumer needs, but our company is a place of inclusion and innovation that attracts some of the brightest minds across industries, geographies, and backgrounds. Whether we have a team of 3 or 300, our core values and our startup mentality remain; we value continuous improvement and learning, teamwork and collaboration, creative problem solving, and open and direct dialogue and feedback. Come for the coffee and free products, stay for the amazing, passionate culture.


Harry’s is committed to bringing together individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and do great work together.

Harry’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. We recruit, hire and promote into all job levels the most qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), parental status, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, transgender status, sexual orientation, marital, family or partnership status, political affiliation or activities, military service, domestic violence victim status, arrest/conviction record, sexual or reproductive health decisions, caregiver status, credit history immigration status, unemployment status, traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles or any other status protected under applicable federal, state and local laws. Harry’s commitment to providing equal employment opportunities extends to all aspects of employment, including job assignment, compensation, discipline and access to benefits and training.

We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our company.

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Technology we use

  • Engineering
  • Product
  • Sales & Marketing
    • JavaLanguages
    • JavascriptLanguages
    • PythonLanguages
    • RLanguages
    • RubyLanguages
    • ScalaLanguages
    • SqlLanguages
    • TypeScriptLanguages
    • ReactLibraries
    • ReduxLibraries
    • PlayFrameworks
    • Ruby on RailsFrameworks
    • SpringFrameworks
    • ReactFrameworks
    • PostgreSQLDatabases
    • RedisDatabases
    • Google AnalyticsAnalytics
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    • TableauAnalytics
    • FigmaDesign
    • PhotoshopDesign
    • SketchDesign
    • AsanaManagement
    • ConfluenceManagement
    • Google DriveManagement
    • Google DocsManagement
    • Google SlidesManagement
    • JIRAManagement
    • TrelloManagement
    • DocuSignCRM
    • GladlyCRM
    • BrazeEmail

Location

Usually you will find us in SoHo (NYC) or Covent Gardens (London)! Both office locations are easy to get to and have lots of fun restaurants, bars, and shopping nearby.

An Insider's view of Harry's Inc.

What are some social events your company does?

I thrive at Harry’s because we have programs that support all of me as a black gay man. From leading our LGBTQIA+ ERG to cultural events like our annual Juneteenth celebration, I feel heard and seen in intentional ways.

Darren

CX Manager, Flamingo

What kinds of technical challenges do you and your team face?

As Harry's expands beyond razors, we are focused on building a platform that can support multiple brands, which is transforming our technical infrastructure. We're also collaborating with our data analytics team to better understand our customers, both present and future, and serve personalized and curated experiences to them.

Natalie

Software Engineer

What makes someone successful on your team?

Passion, creativity, and thoughtfulness—with a splash of silliness. You have to be willing to move quickly, test-learn, and be different (even if we fail sometimes)

Nicole

Head of Creative and Communications

How do you make yourself accessible to the rest of the team?

Each week my co-founder & I speak at our all-hands meeting, allowing us to openly share what’s on our minds. We host Q&As, Fireside Chats, Lunch N’ Learns, & I co-sponsor our Women’s Employee Resource Group, where I work with folks at all levels within the company.

Andy

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

How do your team's ideas influence the company's direction?

The People Team works to build and sustain a values-driven work culture that is centered around our employees by being progressive, fair and inclusive, and steeped in learning and development. We design and run thoughtful, people-first benefits and processes. We invest in our people's growth.

Nate

Executive Assistant to CPO and Head of DE&I

What are Harry's Inc. Perks + Benefits

Harry's Inc. Benefits Overview

We’re committed to providing our team with benefits that enhance their mental, physical, and overall well-being. Everyone has different needs, but we are happy to have benefits such as medical, dental, vision, FSA, as well as a 401K, access to Eden Health, and a quarterly wellness reimbursement. That's not to mention our bountiful snacks and catered lunch and breakfast once a week, in addition to free products from all of our brands!

Culture
Volunteer in local community
We participate in local events such as charitable races and local school events!
Partners with nonprofits
Every year, we set aside 1% of our sales to donate to charitable organizations that share our ambition to bring quality mental health care to men everywhere.
Open door policy
OKR operational model
Team based strategic planning
Pair programming
Open office floor plan
Employee resource groups
Employee-led culture committees
Quarterly engagement surveys
Hybrid work model
In-person all-hands meetings
Flexible work schedule
Remote work program
Diversity
Dedicated diversity and inclusion staff
Highly diverse management team
Our management team is a representation of our staff! We have a VP and C-Suite that is comprised of 50% women, and have hired from underrepresented communities throughout the leadership group.
Mandated unconscious bias training
We partner with Paradigm to deliver yearly unconscious bias training, and supplement with the People team's own efforts.
Diversity manifesto
Diversity employee resource groups
The Advocates, African Ancestry Collective, All Equals Women's Group, DNA (People of Color at Harry's), Fuerza Latina, and Pride at Harry's
Hiring practices that promote diversity
Health Insurance & Wellness Benefits
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Our FSAs are designed to stretch your dollars farther. These accounts trim off as much as 30% from your health care or dependent care costs because the money you put into an FSA comes out pre-tax.
Disability insurance
Harry's automatically provides a certain level of coverage for you, plus you have the option to purchase additional insurance for yourself and your dependents.
Dental insurance
We have two plans, one Standard and one Enhanced, with both plans covering preventative care at no cost.
Vision insurance
Our vision plan has Warby Parker as an in network provider!
Health insurance
We have three health plans based on your needs with varying deductibles, and no-to-moderate premium costs.
Life insurance
Wellness programs
We offer a variety of benefits - access to Eden Health, a Wellness Reimbursement Program, and a new fitness reimbursement program through our new medical provider.
Team workouts
Mental health benefits
Online and In-Person Mental Health resources, as well as Company wide mental health days!
Transgender health care benefits
Wellness days
Abortion travel benefits
Financial & Retirement
401(K)
401(K) matching
Harry's provides our 401K through Betterment. We match 2% of contributions up to 4% of an employee's annual salary.
Company equity
Every employee is offered a standard welcome grant of equity based on their level, with vesting over a 4 year period. Additionally, we have annual continuation grant bonus programs!
Pay transparency
Child Care & Parental Leave Benefits
Generous parental leave
We offer 16 weeks of paid leave for all new parents, which applies to birth, adoption, and all paths to parenthood.
Family medical leave
Return-to-work program post parental leave
Fertility benefits
Vacation & Time Off Benefits
Unlimited vacation policy
Generous PTO
"My Time" - a flexible time-off policy that includes vacation, sick, and personal time. Additionally, we offer 16 weeks of paid parental leave, plus four weeks of customized re-boarding
Paid volunteer time
You have the opportunity to volunteer up to five full days per year. We also set aside 1% of sales to go back to charitable organizations and causes.
Sabbatical
A four-week, fully paid sabbatical after five years at Harry's. Unplug, unwind, and come back refreshed and ready to tackle the next big challenge.
Paid holidays
10 company-paid holidays per year.
Paid sick days
Flexible time off
Bereavement leave benefits
Company-wide vacation
Office Perks
Commuter benefits
We offer pre-tax commuter benefits through WageWorks.
Company-sponsored outings
Harry's has an annual company-wide offsite, holiday party, and other celebrations based on our big milestones!
Free snacks and drinks
Other snacks and drinks are provided, not to mention cold brew on tap.
Some meals provided
We provide catered breakfast every Wednesday before our company-wide Team Meeting, and catered lunch every Thursday.
Company-sponsored happy hours
Join the #happyhours slack channel to plan the next casual outing!
Pet friendly
Harry's pet policy is dog-friendly daily.
Relocation assistance
Fitness stipend
We give $150 a quarter towards health and wellness.
Home-office stipend for remote employees
Mother's room
Professional Development Benefits
Job training & conferences
Lunch and learns
Our CEO's Jeff and Andy host quarterly AMAs during lunch! In addition, other teams will share out what they're working on as various share-outs, beer & learns, and lunch & learns.
Promote from within
Mentorship program
Continuing education stipend
We have an incredible L&D program that allows you to use a yearly stipend for continuing education or other L&D-related expenses.
Continuing education available during work hours
We recently instituted "Grow Forth Friday" - a 2-hour block with internal and external learning opportunities offered.
Customized development tracks

Additional Perks + Benefits

The best thing about Harry's is we're constantly improving based on employee feedback. Our employee engagement survey, plus consistent feedback loops with our employees means that every year we are getting better and better. In 2019 we implemented a 401k match, more transparent People processes, an L&D stipend, and much more!

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