Sr Manager, Product Development - Skincare - Kendo Brands

Job Description

Kendo Holdings, Inc. is a San Francisco-based beauty brand developer and wholesaler owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury group. A play on the words "can do", Kendo has become the hub of creativity and next generation beauty product development for global Sephora channels and selective retailers outside of Sephora.

Through original development, collaborations and acquisitions the Kendo stable of brands will always be creative, inspiring and innovative. A dynamic engine of speed, expertise and market-savvy, the Kendo team continues to redefine the beauty industry through great product, great storytelling, great retail and direct-to-consumer partnerships. This shows up in everything we do and in what we stand for:

• "Can Do" Spirit: We work together to make our wildest dreams a reality: As entrepreneurs, we embrace optimism and find creative ways to reach our goals
• Advocacy, Diversity, and Inclusion: We recognize and celebrate the full spectrum of personal identities. We create safe spaces so everyone's voice is heard. We listen with humility and act with courage.
• Storytelling: We tell authentic stories like no, one else. It's our key to inspire trust and build relationships, rallying, our people, partners, and consumers around our brands.
• Resilience: We embrace challenges as opportunities. Change is ever- constant, and agility is our strength.
• Product Excellence: We put the consumers first: We constantly raise the bar to create products of the highest quality that everyone just has to have.

The salary range for this position is $119,203 - $149,003 per year based upon a San Francisco location. Offered salary is dependent upon experience and location. Kendo Total Rewards offerings also include an annual bonus and a comprehensive benefits package including: medical, dental and vision insurance, flex paid time off program, parental leave, employee discount/perks, a retirement plan with employer contributions, Summer Fridays, opportunity to work from anywhere for a month in the summer and July and December wellness/shutdown weeks for applicable positions.

The Kendo house of brands currently includes: Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, KVD Beauty, Lip Lab, Ole Henriksen.

Kendo Brands has a hybrid work model with three days in office and two days remote each week.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sr. Manager, Skincare Product Development will be responsible for managing and driving the day-to-day skincare development process, from concept to launch. The position will be responsible for supplier communication, and management of relationships with cross-functional partners in packaging development, project management, sourcing, regulatory, quality assurance, and brand management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all phases of skincare formula development and new product innovation.
• Lead internal communication with cross-functional partners as it relates to product briefs, formula evaluation, copy and claims, artwork and regulatory deliverables.
• Monitor and maintain on-time delivery of critical project milestones.
• Manage daily communication with external partners.
• Evaluate formula submissions with team and management.
• Review all batch submissions as needed, including on-site approvals when necessary.
• Maintain key relationships with contract manufacturers. Conduct onsite development when necessary.
• Responsible for lab briefs and communication with third-party development labs.
• Survey competitive landscape to develop best-in-class products by identifying trends and current and emerging competitors.
• Participate in and contribute to new product concept brainstorming sessions.

REQUIREMENTS

• College degree or equivalent experience with 7+ years relevant work experience in skincare product development
• Passionate about skincare and the beauty industry
• Experience managing direct reports
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects through strong prioritization and planning
• Proven track record of taking ownership and driving results
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, often-changing collaborative environment.
• A team player, flexible and able to adapt to change
• A self-starter, able to work independently and take initiative
• Demonstrates a can-do attitude, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Ability to think both strategically and tactically with exceptional attention to detail
• Approximately 10% domestic and international travel may be required