Senior Manager Product Innovation (20-Month Contract)

Eminence Organic Skin Care•Vancouver, BC

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Senior Manager Product Innovation, you will be responsible for leading product innovations that strengthen and enrich the Eminence brand portfolio for long term growth. This role positions the brand as a true innovator in the category establishing Eminence as the brand to be envied and emulated. You will be responsible for creating an innovation pipeline that will sustain brand loyalty, drive sales for our customers and improve business success. In this role, you will also be leading the Product Formulation Manager, Packaging Specialist, Product Specialist, and Project Manager Innovation and Go-To-Market to develop, test and bring products to market readiness, and will be reporting directly to the Vice President of Marketing.

Requirements

7+ years of experience with consumer-packaged goods development and management (concept through rationalization), ideally in the Spa and/or Health & Beauty channel
3+ years of team leadership and management experience
Post-secondary degree or diploma in Business and/or Marketing preferred
Project Management experience preferred, including demonstrated ability to prioritize, scope and oversee projects from concept to commercialization
Experience analyzing data on product performance and profitability, and using data to make recommendations on project feasibility and ROI
Exceptional written/oral communication skills
Highly developed and demonstrated leadership ability and interpersonal skills
Exceptional attention to detail, highly organized, and effective at time management
Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills

Responsibilities

Conduct market research and competitive analysis to inform product development strategies, building and maintaining a 5+ years new products innovation pipeline
Research trending ingredients and partner with the Product Formulation Manager to understand the latest trends in active ingredients
Drive product concept approval and form factor approval discussions with cross-functional leadership outlining a 5-yr innovation pipeline
Oversee packaging-related priorities across launch and non-launch initiatives, supporting the Packaging Specialist with decision-making, escalation, and alignment between Brand, Innovation, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and external vendor partners.
Oversee the product development process from concept ideation to market readiness and execution, providing guidance and ensuring finished goods are consistent with predefined positioning and quality standards
Determine new product cost targets ensuring profitability and aligning with overall pricing strategies
Manage the Innovation Team in ensuring all project deadlines are met. Proactively identify risks to delivery and timing.
Manage any major changes to existing products which can include major formulation and manufacturing location changes. Work with Senior Brand Manager Product & Launch to support strategies to minimize the impact to both Eminence and to our Spa Partners’ businesses
Develop the core positioning for new and redeveloped products in collaboration with the Product Specialist, Formulation Manager, and Brand Managers
Create Product Scope document that houses the positioning and relevant information on the products that are in development and redevelopment
Oversee Product Formulation Manager in compatibility testing for new and existing products, including safety substantiation testing, stability testing and functionality testing
Oversee Packaging Specialist in testing for new products with primary packaging, including compatibility testing, functionality testing, and other critical packing tests
Collaborate on focus groups and internal testing of development samples (through final formulation) to ensure consistency with predefined product specifications and to identify opportunities for refining formulation and packaging as needed
Initiate clinical studies (including, but not limited to, efficacy testing and safety substantiation testing) as required; manage the completion of clinical studies and reporting in time for use in product launch
Track quarterly and annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and bonus reporting for Team Members
Supervise the workload of, and coach/train, direct reports, team members and contractors