Director of Product Innovation & Sustainability (NYC)


A little about us. Hey! if we haven't met, we're KraveBeauty. We're a fast-growing beauty and wellness brand based in NYC. We're a brand created by beauty influencer Liah Yoo and a team of people who are interested in making the industry more human - for our people and the planet. We aspire to be a skincare company that dares to care beyond skincare. And we are here to #PressReset on the industry norms.

About this position:

As the Director of Product Innovation & Sustainability at KraveBeauty, you will be a key strategic leader responsible for driving the brand's product development and sustainability initiatives. This role requires a visionary and experienced professional who can seamlessly integrate innovation and sustainability into all stages of product development. You will work closely with the Founder, marketing, operations and all cross-functional teams to bring innovative and sustainable beauty products to market, ensuring that KraveBeauty remains at the forefront of the industry. Your responsibilities will span from strategic planning to execution, focusing on business growth, retail success, and establishing KraveBeauty as a pioneer in sustainable beauty.

Your Role & Responsibilities at KraveBeauty:

  1. New Product Development:
    • Act as a strategic partner to the founder, translating the brand vision into a tangible and sustainable product roadmap.
    • Drive innovation through deep consumer + community insights with sustainable practices.
    • Lead consumer focus groups and testing, leveraging insights to guide the product development process.
    • Partner with cross-functional teams to bring concepts to life from ideation to launch.
    • Oversee the entire product development lifecycle, including timelines, supplier negotiations, and quality assurance.
    • Ensure packaging, testing, quality control standards, and regulatory compliance are met.
    • Maintain detailed and organized records throughout all product development stages, including formulation details, testing results, and supplier communications.
  1. Product Strategy & Portfolio Management:
    • Continuously seek ways to enhance the efficacy of our current product portfolio.
    • Responsible for sourcing suppliers and working with our internal ops team to make them efficient over time.
    • Stay informed on industry regulations and ensure all products comply with relevant standards.
    • Identify and implement opportunities for sustainability improvements in packaging and formulation.
    • Analyze market trends and consumer feedback to refine product strategies and drive business growth, aligning PD back to KraveBeauty’s mission.
  2. Sustainability & Reporting
    • Make sustainability a key responsibility, positioning KraveBeauty as a pioneer in sustainable beauty.
    • Develop clear sustainability metrics and targets (e.g., carbon footprint reduction, recycled content goals) and track progress toward them.
    • Integrate sustainable practices into all stages of product development, from ideation to launch.
    • Prioritize sustainable sourcing of ingredients, packaging materials, and manufacturing processes.
    • Research and implement innovative solutions to minimize environmental impact, such as reducing packaging waste, using recycled/upcycled materials, and incorporating water-efficient formulas.
    • Partner with sustainability experts and suppliers to identify and implement best practices.
    • Own and publish our annual Impact Report.
    • Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to develop clear messaging regarding KraveBeauty's sustainability initiatives.
  3. Business & Retail Success:
    • Utilize strong business acumen to align product development strategies with overall company goals and financial targets.
    • Develop and manage budgets for product development projects, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
    • Collaborate with sales and retail teams to develop products that meet market demands and enhance retail success.
    • Analyze sales data and market trends to inform product development decisions and optimize product performance in retail channels.
    • Drive product innovation that not only meets consumer needs but also achieves commercial success in the retail environment.

 

Skills & Abilities:

    • 10+ years of experience in a product development role focused in skincare.
    • Strong collaboration and communication skills with internal teams and external stakeholders.
    • Proven negotiation skills with suppliers for efficient timelines and quality assurance.
    • Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple stages and sustainability practices simultaneously.
    • Keen attention to detail in product enhancement, industry regulations, and compliance.
    • Strong leadership skills and the ability to foster an innovative and sustainable culture within the team.
    • Demonstrated business acumen and the ability to drive retail success through strategic product development.

    Job Information:

    • Terms of employment: Full-Time
    • Salary $150,000 + discretionary bonus
    • Location: NYC, in-office 2x / week

    Benefits + Perks:

    • Unlimited PTO days
    • 14 paid holidays
    • 401K Matching (100% of first 3%)
    • Up to 100% employer-covered Health, Vision, Dental, Life and AD&D insurance
    • Commuter benefits & wellness perks

    Interested?

     

     

    We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of KraveBeauty not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignment, benefits, layoff, and termination.