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 beauty-obsessed, innovative leader to be our Product Development Director. We are looking for a dynamic, experienced leader to drive product development from concept to product launch across our non-toxic product line (skincare, cosmetics and personal care). You will be keenly aware of applicable trends and demand the highest quality standards and innovations in all new products.

As our PD Director, you will create strategies, timelines and action plans for product concepts, design, promotion, product launch strategies and execution. You’ll collaborate with the extended team (merchandising, planning, marketing, operations and management) to ensure smooth new product launches. As a master communicator and excellent project manager, you will share updates and drive the development process, maintaining development timelines and budgets.

Responsbilities

• Lead and oversee the product development cycle from new product initiation to completion of production for all new product launches and revisions
• Identify creative, innovative and relevant product category opportunities to facilitate the continued growth of our private label line using both data and trend knowledge
• Maintain firm grasp of competitive landscape, including the research of new ingredients, textures, formats, products and packaging to allow for next-level innovation
• Manage all phases of product development from ideation to launch
• Utilize iterative development with both internal teams and external vendors
• Create comprehensive action plans for product concepts, design, promotion, product launch strategies and execution
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure successful launch and promotional requirements are met to achieve the expected level of success for all new products
• Consistently seek opportunities for innovative/incremental newness
• Lead internal communication with cross-functional partners as it relates to product briefs, formula evaluation, copy and claims, artwork and regulatory deliverables
• Cultivate strategic creative relationships with existing and new suppliers, and identify new laboratories that match the company’s long term vision and operational requirements
• Monitor and maintain on-time and on-budget delivery of critical project milestones
• Provide project leadership and communicate updates across cross-functional teams and to senior management
• Ensure compliance with the company’s ethics, mission and ingredients
• Prepare product positioning memos for marketing, education, PR detailing creative concept, product claims, key selling points and ingredient definitions

Requirements

• 5+ years of hands-on product development experience in a consumer packaged goods industry, preferably in the beauty industry
• True passion for product development, ingredients and everything beauty
• Solution-oriented critical thinker with the ability to balance multiple projects and navigate occasionally competing priorities
• Organized “doer” with an exceptional ability to multitask, take initiative, own, and execute projects
• Exceptional organizational skills with a robust understanding of process and timelines
• Ability to problem solve, balancing thoughtfulness and a sense of urgency
• Stellar attention to detail, understanding the importance of accuracy and thorough completion of tasks
• 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
• A forward thinker with ability to evaluate business opportunities
• Can-do, positive infectious attitude and leadership style
• Ability to roll up the sleeves and hit the ground running with limited resources
• Experience with consumer facing digital/ecommerce business preferred
• Experience with an early to mid-stage start-up preferable