Follain leads the movement toward healthier personal care by curating only the best (healthy, proven, pure, pleasing) products on follain.com and in a growing number of stores across the country. Together we’re making widespread change in the wildly unregulated and unhealthy beauty industry. We’re currently building a whole new Follain experience – online and in-stores. Want to be part of our mission to change the world?

Follain is seeking a curious, self-motivated and highly-structured Product Development Associate as a key member of the product development & merchandising team. We are looking for a self-starter and a creative problem solver with passion and experience in the consumer space.

As our Product Development Associate, you will be supporting the commercialization of new clean beauty products with a focus on quality and speed to market. You will work closely with a diverse cross-functional team and own the day-to-day management and supply chain operations for new product development activities. A master communicator, you will develop strong relationships with our vendors and become the “go-to” for day to day activities that keep programs on track. This is an opportunity to learn the art and science of bringing new consumer products to market from strategy (positioning, pricing, design, and consumer research) to execution and commercialization (formula development, packaging sourcing, manufacturing and testing).

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A CONSUMER PRODUCT ROLE , NOT SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.

Responsibilities

• Primary Responsibilities – will focus heavily on supply chain, operations and detail-oriented project management:
• Own day-to-day management for new product development activities with a focus on supply chain operations, cost of goods tracking and timeline management
• Serve as a key partner and liaison to 3rd party vendors to keep programs on track, including follow ups on status of program activities and ad hoc problem solving
• Maintain ownership and updates of the product tracker, inclusive of SKU-specific P&L (costing, pricing, margins), product copy, claims and vendor specifications (e.g. component and formula MOQs and lead times)
• Support development and management of new product development timelines, with focus on optimizing time to market across development activities (formula, packaging, design, testing and sourcing)
• Maintain database of product photography and manage product comp needs for photoshoots
• Manage ordering and delivery of product samples and maintain comprehensive product library of packaging, artwork and formulas
• Work closely with key internal cross-functional partners, including planning, merchandising and marketing teams to keep key stakeholders abreast of product development activities and timelines

Secondary Responsibilities

• Secondary Responsibilities – include innovation strategy, new product concepting and product marketing support with opportunity for expanded responsibility over time depending on your career goals and interests:
• Support activities that drive strategy for new launches, including deep dive competitive analysis, consumer testing, concept ideation, creative design briefs, crafting of formula briefs and formula testing and feedback
• Support product marketing activities, including creation of training materials for retail, PR, etc.
• Analyze product sales, trends to inform growth strategy and innovation planning

Requirements

• 1-3 years of experience in CPG/consumer goods or closely related B2C industry
• Experience in one of the following functions: product management, NPD project management, supply chain, operations, or brand management on the innovation side
• Strong understanding of (or true interest to become an expert in) the end-to-end new product development process for consumer products
• Hyper-organized, detail-oriented project manager with ability to manage multiple fast-track projects and quickly adapt to changing priorities and responsibilities
• Analytical problem solver / solutions-oriented critical thinker
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and partnerships
• Flexible/adaptable to work in a highly collaborative start-up environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to present ideas, conclusions and recommendations with clarity
• Experience with an early to mid-stage start-up OR exposure to a front-end incubation / agile innovation team at a larger company
• Personal care experience preferred but not required
• Bachelor's degree with a concentration in business, operations, supply chain, product design, engineering or related field
• Advanced Excel skills a major plus