Product Innovation Manager - Beauty Brands

Position Overview:

The Product Manager will collaborate with the Senior Director to develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan. This role encompasses the full lifecycle of product development-from consumer insight and concept creation to validation, manufacturing, testing, and launch. The position requires close coordination with teams in both the U.S. and China to ensure timely, high-quality product delivery.

Ideal for a proactive, analytical, and organized professional with a passion for consumer-driven innovation, this role supports portfolio performance and drives new product initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Portfolio Strategy

• Analyze market trends, category performance, consumer research, and sales data to identify growth opportunities.
• Define product vision and strategy aligned with brand positioning and business objectives.
• Evaluate product opportunities using financial analysis, business cases, and ROI forecasting.

Product Development & Execution

• Translate consumer insights into compelling product concepts and enhancements.
• Define product specifications, packaging, positioning, and pricing.
• Partner with design, R&D, and manufacturing for feasibility and cost optimization.
• Coordinate timelines and deliverables across operations, packaging, and supply chain.
• Support product testing and compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
• Operate within agile or stage-gate frameworks for iterative development.
• Use storytelling to communicate product value and align cross-functional teams.

Consumer & Market Insight

• Monitor market trends, competitive landscape, and consumer behavior.
• Identify knowledge gaps and collaborate with insights teams to address them.
• Participate in consumer research, product usage tests, and benchmarking.
• Translate complex research into actionable insights that inform strategy.

Portfolio Management

• Maintain product databases and support SKU rationalization.
• Monitor product performance and recommend improvements.
• Manage updates, packaging refreshes, and cost-saving initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as liaison between product management and key partners (supply chain, marketing, insights, sales).
• Support go-to-market plans and marketing content development.
• Ensure data accuracy across product systems.

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Experience supporting product launches and cross-functional initiatives.
• Ability to synthesize consumer insights and market data into actionable strategies.
• Experience building business cases and aligning product decisions with financial goals.

Work Environment:

• Standard office setting.
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods.
• Domestic and international travel up to 10%.
• Flexibility for early morning/evening calls with overseas teams.
• On-site presence required Monday-Thursday; remote work optional on Fridays.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in MS Excel, Teams, Outlook.
• Experience with SAP, IBP, Power BI, Canva, ChatGPT, and other AI platforms is a plus.

Benefits Include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off
• Life and disability insurance
• FSA/HRA/Dependent Care FSA
• Paid parental leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee wellness programs and EAP
• Volunteer time off