Director Of Product Development

hi there, we're amika. a friend to hair, hairstylists, her, him, them, + you. amika means friend in the language esperanto and is a symbol of our belief in the power of community + the beauty of diversity.
brooklyn-born + salon raised: where creativity + culture are a way of life. we're a collective of creatives, hairstylists, chemists, + product enthusiasts that like to bend the rules.

we created 11 collections for every hair type, texture + style - all hair is welcome.

the job:

the Director of Product Development will oversee the development of all formulas to ensure they meet the standards set by the executive team and deliver upon the desired product claims set by the marketing team. You will be responsible for formula development, competitive assessment, product quality, contract manufacturer communication with their R&D teams and performance claims.
this position will lead a team of developers and work cross functionally with many other departments to ensure all timelines are cohesive with launch goals and formula development milestones.

location: hybrid; in-office/work from home schedule.

salary: $160,000 - $180,000 + bonus and benefits

reporting / direct reports: this position reports into the Brand President, amika + will have 2 direct reports

what you'll do:

Innovation

• Stay current on packaging component/material/dispensation innovation and trends in cosmetic and personal care industry
• Keep cross-functional partners abreast of market news and changes
• Support in the creation of materials and participate in Key Client planning / "in the kitchen" meetings for innovation and launch discussions
• Work with respective Sales Directors to identify relevant trends of the countries we sell in and work to develop a deeper understanding of their market, identify deficiencies and optimize opportunities for assortment
• Contributing to ideation and development of new formulas from concept to final approval
• Collaborate with Marketing with consumer trends to incorporate in development
• Investigate unique break through textures, ingredients and collaborate with Product Marketing to establish competitive benchmarks
• Work with amika brand president to develop a vision, long term roadmap and annual calendar for potential new product launches in accordance with the overall brand strategy

Product Development

• Lead product development meetings and new concept brainstorms
• Define and ensure product and packaging passes appropriate testing; stability, micro, compatibility
• Review and confirm new formula costs and packaging components with Brand and Purchasing
• Oversee formula improvement process, ingredient list changes and implementing future regulatory updates
• Work closely with Regulatory to ensure that all product packaging claims and ingredients meet legal requirements in both the U.S. and internationally
• Develop new product education sheets and train the internal marketing and sales internal teams before each new product launch.
• Ensure all milestones on each project's critical path are met within the desired timeline
• Manage full product development cycle from concept to launch
• Write New Product Information briefs and support marketing departments on copy and education
• Deliver product briefs to R&D and align on development and testing plans
• Initiate reforms to solve for formula quality control issues
• Create product briefs with respect to positioning, features and benefits, ingredients, packaging, benchmarks, timing and cost targets
• Manage organization of project-related development documentation, including formulas, submissions, feedback, ingredients and lists, samples, testing, claims and technical copy

Testing & Sample Management

• Source, evaluate and maintain vendor prototypes, ingredient samples and documentation, and new packaging components
• Manage final packaging/pilot sample requests for PR, Marketing and Sales
• Manage testing protocols to substantiate claims while meeting deadlines and legal compliance
• Read and analyze test results and actively troubleshoot potential risk factors so that the finished goods are fully optimized from a quality and consumer usage perspective
• Define and ensure product and packaging passes appropriate testing – performance, stability, compatibility, micro, challenge
• Ensure timely evaluation of submissions and feedback to our manufacturing partners
• Set quality tolerance levels and specifications for product production and Quality Control.
• Manage in-house focus group testing to improve formulas during development - create questionnaires, recruit testers, coordinate samples, collect feedback and data, analyze results and present findings and recommendations

Supervisory Responsibility

• Manage team – handle all performance management, coaching, training, recruitment, disciplinary action, etc.

must-haves:

• Exceptional project management, organization, and communication skills.
• Exhibit strong leadership skills both externally with retailers and internally with teams.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 7-10+ years of PD experience in beauty is a must. Hair Care preferred
• Good knowledge of computer software including Asana, Microsoft Word and Excel
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and creative skills
• A strong sense of urgency, ability to prioritize, detail-oriented, exceptional problem solving, and time management skills are essential, as the position requires you to manage multiple projects with firm deadlines.

ready to apply?

Please click the link that will bring you to our careers page through Greenhouse. Submit a cover letter describing yourself and why you'd be the perfect fit along with your resume.