Product Development Manager - Accessories

Kitsch Agency Limited - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Los Angeles, CA

Textile Mills

About the position

KITSCH is proud to be recognized as a self-financed, female-owned global accessory brand built on positivity and pure hard work. Established in 2010, with a business plan no longer than a paragraph, Kitsch has grown from door-to-door sales to selling products in over 27 countries across 20,000 retail locations worldwide. KITSCH is committed to creating high-quality products that are effortless, elevated, and easy to use. From fashionable shower caps to our viral towel scrunchies, we aim to evolve your everyday essentials. We believe that everyone should feel confident when purchasing our products no matter your hair type, style, or budget. The Product Development Manager at Kitsch LLC is currently looking for an experienced and motivated individual to join our team. The ideal candidate for this position is a skilled multi-tasker, reliable, and committed to consistently meeting deadlines. This person should be able to manage a growing team and collaborate with other departments to achieve overall goals on time. This is a full-time position that involves leading the end-to-end product development process for hair care products, tools, and accessories, from conceptualization to launch. The role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify market opportunities and develop innovative hair care products that meet consumer needs and preferences. The Product Development Manager will conduct comprehensive market research and analysis to identify trends, competitive landscape, and consumer insights in the hair care industry. Additionally, the manager will create and manage a dynamic product roadmap that aligns with company goals and market trends, ensuring a competitive product portfolio. The position also involves working closely with suppliers and vendors to source high-quality raw materials and ingredients for hair care products, negotiating pricing and contracts, and developing strong relationships with manufacturing partners to oversee product formulation, sampling testing, and production processes. The manager will ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements, quality standards, and safety protocols for hair care products, maintaining the highest level of product integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for hair care products, tools, and accessories, from conceptualization to launch.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify market opportunities and develop innovative hair care products that meet consumer needs and preferences.
• Conduct comprehensive market research and analysis to identify trends, competitive landscape, and consumer insights in the hair care industry.
• Create and manage a dynamic product roadmap that aligns with company goals and market trends, ensuring a competitive product portfolio.
• Work closely with suppliers and vendors to source high-quality raw materials and ingredients for hair care products, negotiating pricing and contracts.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with manufacturing partners to oversee product formulation, sampling testing, and production processes.
• Work closely with the design team for artwork development and ensure high-quality packaging for the products, adhering to brand standards and consumer expectations.
• Collaborate with the QC team for product testing and evaluation to ensure product safety, efficacy, and compliance with regulatory standards and certifications.
• Conduct detailed product development timelines to ensure all milestones are hit on time, coordinating with all stakeholders and taking proactive measures to address any potential delays.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize product quality, cost-effectiveness, and time-to-market efficiency, acting as a problem solver when challenges arise.
• Stay informed about industry trends, innovations, and best practices in hair care products and ingredients, and incorporate relevant insights into product development strategies.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to direct reports, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, including senior management, Sales, Marketing, Production, and Finance, to provide updates, insights, and recommendations related to product development initiatives.

Requirements

• Proven experience (4+ years) in product development within the beauty industry, with a focus on hair care, hair tools, or accessories preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading end-to-end product development processes, from ideation to commercialization, preferably within the hair care or hair tools or accessories sector.
• Strong understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape in the beauty industry.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools, with a track record of meeting project milestones and deadlines.
• Experience in supplier and vendor management, including sourcing raw materials, negotiating contracts, pricing, and maintaining supplier relationships.
• Solid knowledge of regulatory requirements, quality standards, and safety protocols applicable to consumable products.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, external partners, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to motivate and inspire team members, foster innovation, and drive results in a fast-paced environment.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to analyze complex issues, develop creative solutions, and mitigate risks effectively.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on quality and continuous improvement throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Proficiency in using relevant software tools for product development, project management, and data analysis is a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in using relevant software tools for product development, project management, and data analysis is a plus.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Work Life Balance
• Bonus pay