Senior Manager Product Development

$125,000 - $150,000/Yr

Wella Operations Us - Morris Plains, NJ

Full-time - Mid Level

Morris Plains, NJ

5,001-10,000 employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to join our team as a Senior Manager, Clairol Product Development. In this role, you will be responsible for leading parts of the Research and Development (R&D) efforts, strategically managing all aspects of category product development for both new and existing products. Your role will be pivotal in driving the growth of the Clairol Franchise by leveraging innovative technologies and delivering meaningful benefits to consumers. Join our team and play a key role in leading the product development efforts for the Clairol Franchise. Help us drive innovation and deliver exceptional products that meet the needs and desires of our consumers. As the Global Product Development Leader for the Retail Hair, Clairol Franchise, you will lead the R&D efforts and be responsible for strategically developing and managing all aspects of category product development. This includes both new and existing products. You will demonstrate leadership within the function and across various functions, influencing the direction of the brand and technology while spearheading the development of new Public Relations (PR) skills and methods. Your innovative approach will drive the growth of the Clairol Franchise by exploring uncharted territories and leveraging current and new technologies to deliver meaningful and relevant benefits to consumers. In this role, you will establish capabilities to identify correlations between instrumental testing and product performance, focusing on enhancing the consumer experience. Collaboration is key, as you will work closely with the Multifunctional Initiative Global Design Team, including Marketing, Design, Consumer and Market Knowledge (CMK), and Packaging Supply (PS). You will maintain a strong internal and external focus, actively seeking and listening to consumers, customers, suppliers, and external experts who can positively impact our business. Additionally, you will manage and provide guidance to Senior Managers and other employees as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Research and Development (R&D) efforts as the Global Product Development Leader for the Retail Hair, Clairol Franchise.
• Responsible for strategically developing and managing all aspects of category product development for both new and existing products.
• Demonstrate leadership within the function and across various functions.
• Influence the direction of the brand and technology while spearheading the development of new Public Relations (PR) skills and methods.
• Drive the growth of the Clairol Franchise by exploring uncharted territories.
• Innovatively leverage current and new technologies to deliver meaningful and relevant benefits to consumers.
• Establish capabilities to identify correlations between instrumental testing and product performance, focusing on enhancing the consumer experience.
• Collaborate closely with the Multifunctional Initiative Global Design Team, including Marketing, Design, Consumer and Market Knowledge (CMK), and Packaging Supply (PS).
• Maintain a strong internal and external focus by actively seeking and listening to consumers, customers, suppliers, and external experts.
• Manage and provide guidance to Senior Managers and other employees as necessary.

Requirements

• BS or MS in Physical Science and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in consumer goods, hair care, and/or hair color is preferred.
• Background in Product Insights (PI) and product design, with technical proficiency in a broad range of PI capability skills.
• Proven ability to efficiently manage and coordinate the product development process.
• Strong capability to translate platform technologies into consumer-relevant ideas, benefits, and reasons-to-believe (RTBs).
• Experience in partnering with Marketing to develop strategies and create concepts.
• Ability to influence individuals outside of the functional area and challenge the status quo based on data, knowledge, and experience.
• Extensive product development expertise and a solid understanding of the business.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for beauty.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a strategic and creative mindset.
• Leadership skills and ability to coach and collaborate within the broader R&D organization.
• Experience in developing core consumer models and understanding technical models to inform product design.
• Excellent collaboration skills both within R&D and across functions and geographies.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence both internally and externally with beauty-focused media and agencies.
• Capable of effectively communicating science and technology to non-technical audiences.
• In-depth knowledge of technical platforms and palettes, product development processes, product portfolios/options within the category, and the competitive landscape.

Nice-to-haves

• Preference for experience in consumer-packaged goods or the beauty industry.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO)