Director, Global Innovation

Dermalogica•Carson, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Dermalogica is seeking a Director of Global Innovation to set the future category and product strategy for the total global brand and to oversee all aspects of Dermalogica’s retail product pipeline and portfolio. The successful executive is highly collaborative, working closely with R&D, Operations, Creative and Education on ideation, development and execution. While portfolio management is core to this role, our focus is on maximizing innovation by using Unilever resources to develop skin care innovations and future innovations to solve tomorrow’s skin concerns, and to build a differentiated innovation pipeline that drives new customer acquisition. Innovation in this role also goes well beyond product and extends into creating the overall story that will allow our introductions to truly shine and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. As a brand founded on innovation, this role has a high profile, and our ideal candidate is able to balance future thinking and creativity with a laser-focus on details and timelines.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience defining category strategy and building multi-year innovation roadmaps within a global beauty, personal care, or skin care organizations.
Working knowledge of skin biology, active ingredients, and claims/regulatory considerations across major global markets.
Comfortable working with market and consumer data tools (e.g., Nielsen, NPD, or equivalent) to translate data into innovation opportunities.
Proven success in entrepreneurial or start-up situation: new product line or new category, new channel of distribution or new venture.
High energy personality with strong initiative, with strong team building and leadership qualities.
Self-motivated individual who will champion his or her team.
An individual who embraces change.
Strong communication skills: verbal, written, interpersonal and presentational.
Strategic in planning, prioritization and execution of tasks.

Nice To Haves

A passion for skin care, and an intuitive sense for the prestige skin care user.
Very strong quantitative and analytical skills.
Familiarity with AI-enabled trend-forecasting or ideation tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develops the future category strategy for the total global brand, translating trend signals, consumer insight, and market/competitive data into a multi-year (3-year+) innovation vision spanning core renovation, adjacent innovation, and disruptive/breakthrough platforms.
Leads the development of skin care innovations and future innovations – new technologies, actives, and formats – that keep Dermalogica ahead of emerging skin concerns and consumer needs.
Builds and manages an innovation pipeline explicitly designed to drive new customer acquisition, identifying white-space opportunities that bring new consumer segments and channels into the brand.
Develops the innovation roadmap based on company strategic direction and market insights, trend understanding, customer needs, etc.
Owns the innovation P&L and business case: holds decision rights on pipeline projects within delegated investment thresholds, chairs stage-gate reviews, and escalates major bets to executive leadership for final sign-off.
Is accountable for the financial performance of the innovation pipeline – investment vs. return, launch timing, and portfolio risk.
Oversees implementation of the innovation roadmap as a cross-functional lead and managing a team to create new product formulation with R&D; packaging development, Go to Market Plans, and development of all Global Marketing support materials.
Tracks and reports innovation KPIs – % of net sales from new launches, new-to-brand customer acquisition, retention/repeat rate of new-customer cohorts, and innovation ROI.
Cultivates external and cross functional innovation partnerships – ingredient suppliers, Unilever, R&D, and contract manufacturers, trend forecasters, global markets – to bring emerging technology and science into the pipeline faster.
Works with education to ensure that product training pieces are on-point and up to date.
Maintains current product line with recommendations and execution for upgrading of packaging and formulas as well as phase-outs.
Develop and manages budgets for product line launches, promotions, and ongoing maintenance.
Analyzes profit margins and recommends an annual pricing plan that includes competitive analysis.
Ensures claims substantiation, efficacy data, and regulatory compliance are in place for every innovation across all global markets.
Recruits, trains and manages a large team of Marketing Talent, Innovation leads and Managers.