Project Manager – Advanced Concept Development, Beauty and Home Care

Conair LLC•Stamford, CT

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Conair is seeking a Project Manager to join our Advanced Concept Development team, supporting early-stage innovation across Beauty and Home Care categories. This role is responsible for driving projects through the early-stage gate process, partnering closely with cross-functional teams in the U.S. and China to bring consumer-focused product concepts to life. The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and passionate about consumer-facing design, functionality, and innovation. This position plays a critical role in shaping U.S.-based product launches by translating early ideas into actionable development plans while maintaining visibility across the innovation pipeline.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Product Development, Design, or related field preferred.
5+ years of experience in project management within consumer products, appliances, or innovation-focused environments.
Demonstrated experience managing projects within a stage-gate product development process.
Experience working directly with factories and development partners in China.
Strong ability to manage timelines and cross-functional inputs in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent communication and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail.
Ability to work effectively across time zones and cultures.
Comfort with ambiguity and new process implementation.
Ability to manage complexity and maintain credibility in a dynamic, matrixed organizational environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Hair Care, Garment Care, or Small Home Appliances is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple early-stage innovation projects from concept through early gate approvals, ensuring alignment with business and brand objectives.
Own project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and documentation within Conair’s stage-gate development process.
Collaborate closely with R&D teams in the U.S. and China, as well as Industrial Design, Product Marketing, Engineering, Finance, and other cross-functional partners.
Serve as the primary project liaison with factory partners in China, supporting feasibility assessments, timing, and early development execution.
Manage project documentation for stage-gate approvals and pipeline reporting.
Actively contribute to quarterly pipeline reviews, providing feasibility insights, scenario planning, and risk assessments.
Support idea formation by providing high-level guidance on complexity, timelines, and risk mitigation during early concept development.
Facilitate cross-functional communication, issue resolution, and risk mitigation throughout early development phases.
Support consumer-centric decision making by aligning design, functionality, and usability with target consumer needs.
Prepare and present project updates, timelines, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and leadership.