Parental Leave Cover: Senior Manager, Product Development

Welcome to the MILK MAKEUP FAM:

At Milk Makeup, we’re all about cool clean beauty fueled by creativity. Born out of Milk, a creative hub in downtown New York City, innovation, self-expression, and community are at the heart of everything we do. We believe beauty isn’t about how you do your makeup, it’s what you do in it—and how you Live Your Look—that matters.

Who YOU are:

• Community connector: You’re always thinking about how to improve your and your community’s future. You’re passionate about building a global community where everyone can feel seen and inspired in beauty.

• Courageous but chill: Wherever you come from, you’re driven by the hardworking New York spirit that Milk embodies. You’re flexible and ready to get the job done, but you’re humble and make moves thoughtfully. You strive for quality, have fun doing it, and always have the greater good of the brand in mind.

• Fearlessly innovative: You’re not afraid to take calculated risks and enjoy problem solving. You’re down to disrupt the status quo and innovate in order to raise the bar. You value a forward-thinking space that encourages you to lead change, never follow.

• Champion of self-expression: You’re creative at heart and are always genuinely you. You live your look and want to grow with people who celebrate individuality.

• Inclusive mindful: You believe an open mind is always the best place to start and value active listening. You embrace differences and help foster a safe working environment for yourself and your peers.

The ROLE:

The Senior Manager, Product Development will lead and oversee the global Product Development functions for Milk Makeup across all product categories, including Color Complexion and Skin Care for all regions. This role will collaborate with the Product Development team and a Product Development Lead to deliver a robust and innovative product pipeline. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of Product Development fundamentals, has extensive experience in formulations, demonstrates an excellent color eye, has strong communication and presentation skills, and excels in cross-functional collaboration. The Senior Manager will work closely with the SVP of Product Development and COO on category strategy, concepting, and all phases of product development. Creativity, innovative thinking, and acute attention to detail and timelines in project management are key functions of this position. Please note that this is a temporary, full-time parental leave cover position, starting in February and continuing until October.

What YOU’ll do:

Product Development & Innovation:

• Responsible for leading the product development processes of all new products from innovation/concept phase to launch, ensuring adherence to timelines and COG targets.
• Lead reformulation/redesign efforts for all new and existing products.
• Drive the development of innovative formula textures, shades, and aesthetics with high quality that meet the brand’s DNA while fulfilling global market needs.
• Assist with product innovation reviews to identify new trends in category product format, ingredients, delivery systems, and technology.
• Introduce relevant solutions to customer pain points and assortment gaps.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the global cosmetics business and portfolio and strive to develop and advance category products.
• Manage special projects: Collaborations, dotcom exclusives, or retailer exclusives
• Support SVP of Product Development & Packaging with sourcing and pricing primary packaging as well as coordinating samples and send-outs as needed for all new product launches and redesigned products.
• Coordinate primary packaging samples for all product, safety, compatibility, and research & development testing
• Test all new primary packaging with new product development formulas to ensure proper product function
• Coordinate primary packaging samples to have filled for all cross-functional team needs

Vendor & Manufacturer Management

• Manage all formula feedback and communication with Contract Manufacturers on all new products.
• Determine new product development pricing targets to communicate to vendors.
• Travel onsite to outside labs and manufacturers to conduct product/batch approvals and monitor milestone progress as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate vendor performance.
• Drive necessary course correction to ensure deliverables will be met.

Testing & Compliance

• Execute and track product development reformulation strategy.
• Develop formula claims by working closely with the SVP of Product Development and R&D at Contract Manufacturers
• Ensure formulas are compliant with Milk Makeup and Sephora Clean blacklists in conjunction with Regulatory.
• Oversee all batch approvals and maintain all product standards.
• Collaborate with Regulatory to ensure formulas meet global compliance and testing requirements.
• Manage internal, consumer, and clinical testing.
• Work with third-party clinical testing labs and Marketing to facilitate claims testing.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Partner closely with Packaging, Regulatory, Marketing, Operations, Creative, Sales Education, and Global Retail to ensure key milestones are met for flawless launch execution.
• Work with the PD team, Marketing team, and Copy teams to ideate product names and shade names.
• Work with legal consultants for product name approval.
• Provide PR, Creative, and Retailer support.

Leadership:

• Lead the product development process from concept to launch, driving innovation and ensuring adherence to timelines. Partner closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution and alignment with brand objectives.
• Manage vendor relationships, ensure formula compliance, and oversee testing and approvals, driving quality and efficiency throughout the product development lifecycle.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Create initial product briefs, including product concepts and benchmarks for vendors to initiate the product development process.
• Establish timelines for each product for internal and external use, incorporating critical dates and milestones
• Attend bulk trials and first productions for new launches when required.
• Attend trade shows for manufacturer sourcing, trend research, and generation of ideas.

Why you’ll love being part of MILK MAKEUP:

• Flexible time off: We provide a generous PTO program, paid company holidays, summer fridays, and more.

• Health wellbeing support: We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a wellbeing reimbursement, wellbeing speaker series, and a 6% 401k company match.

• Family accommodations: We offer a generous parental leave program of up to 20 weeks of 100% paid leave to care for and bond with your child.

• Employee care: We offer employees 100% paid leave for up to 12 weeks following their own illness.

• Professional growth development: We have a comprehensive program to support your growth at Milk Makeup, lunch learns, DEI led training sessions, and a learning and development program.

• Hybrid work model: We provide flexibility to support individual work styles, balance business needs, and ensure we live our values. We have a strong (and chill!) office culture in Soho with a dog-friendly environment and a well-stocked kitchen of snacks and drinks.

• MMU swag: We want you to get familiar with our new drops and re-up on any of your fave products.