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

• Investigate unique break through textures, ingredients and collaborate with Product Marketing to establish competitive benchmarks
• Contributing to ideation and development of new formulas from concept to final approval
• Collaborate with Marketing with consumer trends to incorporate in development
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Support in the creation of materials and participate in Key Client planning / "in the kitchen" meetings for innovation and launch discussions

Product Development

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

Testing & Sample Management

• 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
• 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
• Set quality tolerance levels and specifications for product production and Quality Control.
• Ensure timely evaluation of submissions and feedback to our manufacturing partners
• Manage testing protocols to substantiate claims while meeting deadlines and legal compliance
• Manage final packaging/pilot sample requests for PR, Marketing and Sales
• Source, evaluate and maintain vendor prototypes, ingredient samples and documentation, and new packaging components

Supervisory Responsibility

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

must-haves:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 7-10+ years of PD experience in beauty is a must. Hair Care preferred
• Exceptional project management, organization, and communication skills.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and creative skills
• Exhibit strong leadership skills both externally with retailers and internally with teams.
• 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.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Good knowledge of computer software including Asana, Microsoft Word and Excel

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.