The Vice President, Product Innovation leads the Product Innovation team in developing new and creative beauty and skincare products from ideation to execution. The Vice President, Product Innovation must be able to quickly identify trends and innovations and lead the team to efficiently execute concepts in order to be the first to market in the beauty industry. The ideal candidate is passionate about beauty and fashion and can effectively prioritize projects and manage others.
Principal Accountabilities - Build product innovation strategy with SVP, in collaboration with GM to meet consumer demand, brand strategy and deliver brand objectives. Guide the team to identify new product ideas and ensure team priorities are aligned with brand priorities.
- Innovation champion, at the forefront of new trends, responsible for creating and implementing a nimble and efficient Product Innovation Process. Create a flexible framework for innovation cycle to unleash innovation and seize short term opportunities. Create yearly base plan (80% of total innovation) in collaboration with GM to deliver against brand objectives and create a flexible framework of on-going innovation to bring to market incremental new products (20%) with an accelerated timeline.
- Develop and leverage a culture of innovation within the department and drive results for aligned with innovation strategy and identify future trends. Finds and shares a constant stream of expectations and new trends in the beauty industry.
- Drive strong relationships with vendors, be top of mind for key vendors with the goal to 1st to market innovation. Build strong relationships with internal partners and leverage resources AIC, JRC, Centers of Excellence and leverage network of key vendors. Be the main partner to supply chain and NPD to ensure 100% launch time. Identify areas of opportunities and action plan. Attend all key supply chain meetings. Leverage new Quality Control Team and transition tasks if needed.
- Incorporate research and global consumer insights and trends, leverage Makeup Artists (internal panel and external), cross- functional ideation sessions, and other levers for creative innovation. In depth understanding of markets and key retailers needs. .
- Build library of product shades of iconic products and package designs to resource when developing products. Identify phase 3 and 4 for new formulas that could be used to accelerate innovation.
- Support team to obtain Mr. Nars' approval, review submission packages and guide communcation. Ensure that department works collaboratively, attends and reports to group on all trade shows and vendor meetings.
Required Skills & Experience - 15+ years experience in product development in the beauty industry - experience in Color, Complexion and Skincare.
- Specific experience managing makeup formula vendors.
- Passionate about make-up and innovation.
- Preferably has worked in a founder led organization.
- Strong leadership skills, communication, organization, presentation and managerial skills.
- Creative with an ability to spot trends.
- Attention to detail and ability to project manage and troubleshoot workflows to assure 100% on-time, on-budget launches.
- Ability to drive strategy projects while being nimble and hands- on.
- Ability to collaborate and biuld strong relationships with key internal and external partners.
- MA in Cosmetics Science or equivalent experience and training
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