Product Development Senior Associate (NYC)
About this position:
As the Product Development Senior Associate of KraveBeauty, you will play a pivotal role in bringing new beauty and wellness products to life. We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced individual with a passion for the beauty industry. You will work closely with the Product Development Director in all new product development (from ideation to launch) along with managing our current product portfolio. We are seeking someone that not only has a deep understanding of product development, but also is sustainability-minded and is craving for an opportunity to create a positive impact in the industry.
Your Role & Responsibilities at KraveBeauty:
- New Product Development
- Support all phases of NPD from ideation to launch of all new products in the pipeline
- Conduct thorough market research to identify emerging trends, competitor products, and consumer insights, providing valuable input for new product concepts
- Collaborate with the marketing team to generate innovative product ideas aligned with market trends, customer preferences, and the company's brand identity
- Identify and source new partners and contract manufacturers to find ingredient and formulation innovation and technologies to support the brand’s product development mission and ethos
- Work closely with the supply chain & operations team on project management and timelines to ensure on-time launches and that key milestones are met by managing through any potential risks and delays in the NPD process
- Partner closely with cross-functional teams and lead all communications as it relates to product briefs, formula feedback, packaging, copy and claims, artwork and regulatory deliverables
- Oversee and conduct consumer focus groups and testing, utilizing insights to guide and enhance the product development process
- Create and manage packaging briefs that capture material needs, volume requirements, COGs, and timing expectations
- Collaborate with the creative team on packaging design elements to ensure alignment on technical drawings, packaging materials, formula considerations, and brand aesthetics
- Maintain accurate and organized records of all product development stages, including formulation details, testing results, and communication with suppliers.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating terms, sourcing materials, and coordinating the production process
- Current Product Portfolio Management
- Ensure that all testing, compliance and quality control is met for all batches and manage all necessary documentation collection needed
- Continue to find new ways to improve our current product’s efficacy and/or the sustainability of the packaging or formulation
- Work cross-functionally to identify potential opportunities for cost savings within COGS
- Stay updated on industry regulations and ensure that all products are compliant with relevant standards and regulations
What we crave from you:
Personal traits (does this sound like you?)
- You’re a critical thinker, and highly curious in finding solutions
- People describe you as logical, pragmatic and a good problem solver
- You’re a highly organized project manager, keeping every party accountable for their responsibilities and deadline
- You have the ability to balance competing priorities and manage multiple processes at the same time
- You’re collaborative, you go into a project with a teamwork mindset and are open to new ideas and welcome constructive feedback from others
- You have a growth mindset and are always exploring new ways to grow bigger and better
- You are truly passionate about the beauty industry
- You understand the mission of KraveBeauty deeply and have a desire to build something that matters
- You personally believe in doing well by doing good
Technical but important stuff
- 2+ years of previous product development experience in the beauty & wellness industry, preferably in a startup environment
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Cosmetic Science, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry or Green Chemistry preferred
- Strong understanding of skincare, haircare, and wellness product formulations, ingredients, and trends
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and industry standards for cosmetics and skincare products.
- Experience with managing contract manufacturers and supplier relationships
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
- Must be based in NYC
The annual salary range for this role is $60,000 - $80,000 in addition to bonus potential, a 401(k) match, health benefits, paid time off and more. The final salary will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the individual's experience and qualifications
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.