Assistant Manager - NPD (consumables)

Job Description:

The candidate will be responsible for delivering innovations to the market for personal & home care and should be able to run independently 5-7 project at any time point

Key Requirements:

• Degree in a relevant field, preferably in cosmetics or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in product development or a related role, with a minimum of 4 years of experience.
• Must have cosmetic or skincare experience
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Client-facing experience with a track record of building and maintaining client relationships.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data for informed decision-making.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to quality and innovation.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.

JD-

1. Lead NPD strategy and roadmap:

a. Lead NPD initiatives from ideation through commercialization: concept generation, formulation, sampling, packaging, shelf-life validation, regulatory compliance, getting product launch ready

b. Track project timelines and budgets, reporting status updates and proactively flagging risks

c. Conduct market research, analyze market trends and interpret consumer insights to identify area of opportunity for new product launches

d. Benchmark competitors and perform gap analysis to shape product strategy

2. Supply chain management:

a. Identify, vet and partner with manufacturers for new product development and manufacturing

b. Collaborate on packaging innovation, material selection and design optimization

c. Liaise with ingredient suppliers and co-manufacturers to develop and improve formulations

3. Regulatory Compliance, testing and quality assurance:

a. Oversee sensory evaluations, shelf-life studies, quality assurance tests, and pilot production runs

b. Ensure all products comply with safety regulations

c. Implement quality control protocols at each stage of development and manufacturing

d. Lead product testing through independent CROs and handle payments

4. Launch & Post-Launch Monitoring:

a. Coordinate go-to-market strategy with marketing and sales teams, including product positioning and pricing

b. After launch, track key performance metrics, collect consumer feedback, and drive iterative improvements

5. Cross-functional Collaboration:

a. Work closely with design, manufacturing, packaging, legal and other teams to develop innovative product concepts and prototypes

b. Ensure seamless communication among departments to drive project success

6. Budget and Cost Management:

a. Assist in budget planning and management, optimising costs while maintaining product quality and performance.

7. Quality Assurance:

a. Lead Quality control to ensure all products meet rigorous quality and safety standards.

8. Sourcing

a. Oversee inventory norms, stock turns, and new store indenting

b. Partner with sales & retail ops teams to improve channel & store productivity