Product Innovation Manager, Skin Care - Iconic Global Luxury Beauty BrandHybrid working London HQInternational travel twice a yearKJ Talent & Partners are delighted to be exclusively partnering with our client in the search for a Product Innovation Manager to play a key role in influencing and bringing to life its Skin Care category.This truly remarkable global luxury brand has enjoyed phenomenal growth to date and has further global expansion plans. One of the world’s most desirable luxury brands, our client is a pioneer in bringing exciting, category disrupting luxury skin care, fragrance, and haircare to market. Our client does not test on animals and all products are vegan. The brand is also on a journey to reduce its footprint on the planet that so generously sustains us. Progress so far has resulted in B CorpTM certification.Throughout its growth, the brand has maintained a true SME culture at its heart. In this role, you can be sure that you will be heard a trusted voice of product expertise across the business. You’ll be able to execute ideas quickly and really feel like you’re moving the needle – no red tape!This demanding role offers highly rewarding long-term opportunities for an individual with confidence, gravitas, and an ability to calmly think on their feet to perform well under pressure within a rapidly evolving working environment.Reporting to the Senior Manager, Product Innovation, Skin Care, you will bring a balance of creativity, strong project management skills; commercial acumen and a passion for Skin Care product development and evaluation to create products that are undeniably of the brand.If you are a product expert with an obsession for ‘what’s inside the jar’ and the ability to think differently to translate trends and market opportunities into product innovation, then this is an ideal role.Responsibilities:Actively seek, synthesise, and share customer market insights, product trends and innovationSupport cross-functional teams with product line reviews, making recommendations for product improvement, reformulation, and reinforcement opportunitiesOwn product master data classification and PLC status for Skin care product portfolioConsult with R&D on reformulation opportunities for enhanced efficacy and /or repositioningMake the most of forced reformulations by working with R&D to understand the further improvements and elevations that can be drivenEngage with R&D to identify future generation efficacy, ingredients and materials and proactively share findings with senior Skin Care stakeholdersDrive and actively contribute to cross-functional ideation sessions for new product opportunities in line with category strategic framePartner with R&D to identify formula and ingredient opportunities to increase key sustainability metrics and measure and report on product portfolio sustainability gains and improvementsWork with Senior Manager, Product Innovation to support the Skin Care product innovation strategy in line with category strategic frameEnsure feasibility and profitability; manage product design and claims testing budgets and manage legal aspects of product developmentWork closely with Regulatory Affairs and R&D to understand global product compliance requirementsMake fact-based recommendations for product range rationalisationPrepare comprehensive briefs for R&D and Packaging on required product benefits, claims, ingredients of interest and sensorial features, including definition and delivery of brand-aligned desired claims and visualsAlign with R&D on relevant formula testing to deliver revised claims and positioningPartner with Marketing on Skin Care concept development and alignmentSupport development of training and communications for Product ConsultantsExperience & skills required:Experience in creating successful, innovative products and formulations‘Hands-on’ technical product development experience, from concept ideation to executionProven product concept development and briefing skillsFormulation expertise; sound technical capability in the assessment and validation of skin care and / or other cosmetic formulationsInternational work experience for global, multi-channel businessStrong understanding of regional and global market needs and dynamics, customer product preferences and practices, nuances, product innovation, and trends forecastingStrong project management experience within consumer goods and / or beauty industryExperience in collaborating with cross-functional teams across geographies; driving positive engagement and innovative thinking, and leading from within the teamStrong understanding of product development capabilities across packaging, décor; and retro planningScrupulous attention to detailWell-honed communication skillsProactive problem-solving capabilityExperience managing cost / budget, scope, schedule, and riskDegree qualification in business, science or marketing (skin care evaluation, science, and / or technical communication qualification highly regarded)The nature of this role requires flexibility in working arrangements to accommodate work across multiple regions and time zones.