Product Development Manager

The Product Development Manager plays a crucial role in overseeing the planning, execution, and successful delivery of custom bath & body product projects. This role involves managing the entire lifecycle of product development, from initial concept to market launch, ensuring that the products meet consumer needs and business goals. This role requires an understanding and product development experience within consumer product goods and retail. The Product Development Manager works closely with cross-functional internal and external teams to ensure product is developed on time, driving customer satisfaction. The Product Development Manager reports to the VP of Product Development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Product Planning and Coordination
  • Developing product development timelines, budgets, and roadmaps
  • Defining the product scope, key features, and objectives.
  • Coordinating with cross-functional teams (R&D, sourcing, design, regulatory, etc.) to ensure alignment.
  • Assist in developing individual products or a product program to meet customer expectations while meeting margin requirements.
  • Maintain meaningful relationships with vendor partners and contract manufacturers to support in the creation of the items.
  • Manages multiple projects, driving to completion on time and completes a successful hand-off to the production team when required.
  • Manages the pre-production sample process end-to-end, including the receipt of samples from domestic and international vendors through to providing to customers.
  • Owns the job launch process, kicking off the process for all new product and programs.
  • Responsible for the setup of all new products in collaboration with the Product Execution Coordinator.
  • Responsible for ensuring that products are developed efficiently, meet consumer demand, and are brought to market successfully. They manage resources, timelines, and risks while ensuring that the final products are high quality and aligned with business objectives.
  • Support continuous improvement opportunities where identified
• Risk Management:
  • Identifying potential risks in product development or production and creating strategies to mitigate them.
  • Resolving any challenges that arise during the project lifecycle, ensuring minimal disruption.
• Stakeholder Communication:
  • Acting as the main point of contact between internal and external teams (e.g., sales, retailers or brand partners).
  • Providing regular updates to sales, leadership, and team members about product development progress.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in consumer project & product development, preferably within bath and beauty products.
• Experience in consumer-packaged goods project & product development working with domestic and international vendors.
• A high level of accuracy and keen attention to detail in everything you do is critical.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills, with a problem-solving mindset.
• Strong sense of ownership, proactive, can-do attitude with a passion for exceeding customer expectations.
• Comfort in managing multiple projects, working with various cross functional groups.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross functional teams.
• Curiosity and vigor to learn, grow and challenge the status quo.
• Experience with NetSuite or similar ERP system a plus but not a requirement.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills in particular with Excel and PowerPoint.