R+Co

Manager

• Manage on-going formula development, and new product innovations in the haircare category
• Build and maintain effective and strong relationships with contract manufacturers and 3rd party vendors
• Partner with Product Marketing / Brand Marketing counterparts to build a 2-year innovation pipeline and strategize on positioning, including ingredients, technologies, and claims
• Lead internal communication with cross-functional partners as it relates to product briefs, formula evaluation, shade selections, copy and claims, artwork, and regulatory deliverables
• Initiate and organize cross-functional LBP briefing processes with Supply Chain, Packaging, Project Management, Regulatory, and Brand Marketing to ensure cost, timing, vendor, and packaging targets are accurate and achievable
• Monitor and maintain on-time delivery of critical project milestones; update and track Product Development timelines
• Daily communication with external partners to manage development and testing, including on-site approvals
• Evaluate formula submissions with brand founder, marketing team, and selected panel artists
• Responsible for creating comprehensive lab briefs and ensuring effective communication with labs and chemists
• Lead collaboration and presentations for new innovations and concepts during quarterly brainstorming meetings with cross-functional teams
• Research new ingredients, textures, products, packaging, and emerging technologies to drive innovation and maintain a competitive advantage
• Organize and coordinate innovation meetings with raw material suppliers, contract manufacturers, and clinical testing partners to support Product Development brainstorming and pipeline initiatives
• Successfully partner with Compliance and Regulatory teams on testing protocols and product approvals, including: Coordinating all testing protocols with vendors, including usage instructions, questionnaires, and study parameters Coordinating bulk and sample submissions for all testing, including consumer use studies, claims substantiation, Safety/RIPT, water activity, stability, and compatibility testing Collaborating with Regulatory, Brand Management, and Copy teams to finalize product claims and support documentation
• Strategize and partner with Brand Management on internal product testing and feedback; provide support on shade matching and formula development
• Liaise with QA/QC on the distribution of shade and formula standards, range boards, and production reference materials
• Understand the competitive landscape by monitoring industry trends, reviewing social media commentary, evaluating competitive products, and coordinating with Brand Management on sales analysis by category and new product development opportunities
• Partner with Packaging Development counterparts to support component development, testing, and user feedback analysis; research the marketplace to identify competitive packaging and consumer insights
• Track all lab submissions, batch submissions, reformulations, and samples sent to founders, salons, and external partners, ensuring information is organized, accessible, and easy to navigate
• Drive on-time delivery of market samples, retailer presentations, and competitive comparison samples for retail partners
• Organize in-office product testing, including building focus groups, developing questionnaires, and identifying testers across a range of hair types, textures, and concerns to create and maintain a consumer testing database
• Own and manage all Product Development samples, inventory, organization, storage, shipment, and tracking processes
• Leverage hands-on hairstyling and hair coloring expertise to evaluate product performance, application techniques, color results, and consumer usability throughout the development process
• Serve as a subject matter expert on hair types, textures, color services, styling techniques, and emerging salon trends to support innovation, testing, and product positioning
• Continuously seek opportunities to expand technical knowledge of haircare ingredients, formulation technologies, manufacturing processes, and consumer preferences
• Demonstrate agility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment, effectively managing multiple projects, competing priorities, and changing business needs
• Maintain exceptional attention to detail, organization, and project management skills while overseeing timelines, documentation, testing, and sample management
• Foster positive, collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners, vendors, and key stakeholders to drive successful product launches
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned

Manager, Product Development