An iconic hair care brand is seeking a Product Innovation Manager.
Product Management & Strategy
- Perform ongoing analyses to support 3-year product planning, including consumer usage behavior research, consumer pain points, competitive dynamics, and white space opportunities. Inform new product strategy and development efforts, product innovation roadmaps, product feature sets, technology and UI/UX advancement opportunities.
- Drive the development of product requirements and specification targets, in collaboration with the Director and the R&D/Engineering/Operations team, detailing features, performance requirements, CMF direction, ergonomic standards, etc.
- Work closely with Brand & Product Marketing and R&D/Engineering/Operations to set and continually monitor all product costs and overall investments throughout the PD process to ensure they meet required financial targets while delivering against product strategies.
- Lead and manage the industrial design process including agency briefing, agency management, reviews and approvals of vendors supporting the development of new products, including industrial design and other agencies (e.g. sound, software, UX/UI, etc.). Own general coordination of multiple stakeholders internally and externally and manage review and approval processes.
- Develop consumer testing strategies and protocols to both inform new product development as well as support ongoing product improvement. Also define and manage testing needs and processes that support the full product development timeline, including key stages of product prototypes and pre-production samples, ensuring products meet specifications prior to launch.
- Partner with Brand/Product and Operations on defining consumer and lab-based performance validation strategies. Support in development of testing methodologies and protocols, and drive formulation and execution of specific claims-focused testing strategies, as needed.
- Oversee development of complex product user interfaces and user experiences including wireframing, design, testing, and preparing for production, in partnership with R&D/Engineering team.
- Leverage ongoing research and insights to gain a thorough understanding of audience needs, preferences, usage habits, styling techniques and other relevant behaviors.
- Continuously research and maintain current knowledge of developing technology trends in user interfaces, user experiences, onboarding, connected technology, diagnostics, and potential new opportunities for the portfolio.
- Support Brand & Product Marketing Teams in the claims development strategy, including creation of target claims and corresponding analysis strategy, in partnership with R&D/Engineering/Operations team.
- Identify needs/opportunities for continual process improvements. Lead initiatives to enhance cross-functional workflow efficiency, PD process agility and improved cross- functional project management and documentation.
Educational Background
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
- Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s) is a plus.
Experience
- Product Management Experience: 5+ years of experience in product management, with a demonstrated track record of managing product development from concept to launch.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Experience working with R&D/Engineering, design agencies, and marketing teams.
- Consumer Research: Proven experience in leveraging consumer surveys, interviews, and other research methods to inform product development.
- Industrial Design Management: Experience leading or managing industrial design processes and working with design agencies.
- Technology Integration: Familiarity with integrating technological features, UI/UX development, and personalization algorithms into product development.
- Budget Management: Experience in monitoring and managing product costs and investments.
