Manager, Blue Sky & Innovation, Kristin Ess

Maesa•New York, NY

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

Maesa is seeking a passionate Haircare product developer with proven experience in beauty/CPG to join their Blue Sky & Product Development team. This role will support the strategy and development of new products for Kristin Ess, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to industry innovation. The ideal candidate is a trend-savvy hair product enthusiast, social media aware, obsessed with beauty products, and possesses a blend of creativity and data analysis skills. The position reports to the Senior Brand Manager and involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams including R&D, Regulatory, Operations, and the Go to Market brand team. This role is suited for an individual who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, capable of working both independently and collaboratively. The position is based in NYC, requiring a minimum of 3 days a week in the office.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study (business, marketing, product development, etc.)
Min 3 years of experience in product development or similar for haircare
Data savvy: proficient in data-driven decision-making and utilizing data analytics tools (IRI, Nielsen…)
Strong technical skills including Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Flexibility & resilience to work collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
Ability to manage multiple projects with varying launch dates simultaneously, all while meeting project deadlines on-time
Exceptional project management and organizational skills with acute attention to detail
Excellent oral & written communication
Creative thinker with a passion for driving innovation and staying ahead of market trends in the beauty industry
Curious and comfortable asking questions
Social media aware
Collaborative team player & aspiring team leader
Self-starter with can-do positive attitude and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach

Responsibilities

Support creation, development & execution of innovation strategy + products for haircare and hot tools innovation, ensuring alignment with brand objectives
Support all aspects of product development lifecycle from concept to counter
Utilize data-driven insights to identify opportunities for product innovation and market differentiation
Identify white space opportunity & translate into meaningful NPD concepts
Product expert on formula, ingredients, benefits, usage & relevance to portfolio
Present product concepts & development stages to leadership team, retail partners & brand marketing counterparts
Support creation of compelling product concepts, applying sharp copywriting skills to articulate unique selling propositions & brand narrative
Collaborate with cross-functional team and processes, ensuring project stays on-time and hits GM targets
Lead distribution of formula samples from lab partners and track and consolidate feedback in collaboration with R&D
Collaborate with regulatory and R&D to land consumer & clinical claims
Partner with design to ensure aesthetics align with brand identity & resonates with consumers
Support team in coordinating product samples for photoshoots, retailers, and marketing needs
Track ongoing category trends, competitive intelligence and market analysis; lead internal presentations
Collect & organize necessary product documentation to support Go To Market needs
Ensure internal documents have most updated & accurate product information
Leverage data analysis to inform product development decisions, ensuring that each product aligns with market demands and preferences
Foster a collaborative environment by working closely with cross-functional teams & key stakeholders, including Go To Market brand team, Project Management, Packaging, R&D, Regulatory, Sales, Operations & Buyers to ensure seamless execution of product launches