Assistant Manager

Description:

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Responsible for helping support development and breakthrough innovation in alignment with brand strategy
• Actively participate in brainstorming and ideation of new concepts and programs, identifying key opportunities for exploration and calendarization
• With support from Director, help manage the initiation, tracking and execution of projects throughout the PD and R&D process from program kickoff to launch, assisting from concept to counter and tracking all milestones in alignment with timelines
• Coordinate sample distribution to team, evaluate lab submissions and communicate feedback with precise detail and agility
• Own assigned project Product Development charts, submissions logs and various organizational documents throughout entire development process
• Generate and issue detailed status reports on development progress as relevant to projects
• Help facilitate Clinical, Sensory and Consumer testing, generating and tracking all samples and required paperwork with technical teams
• Help research and support ideation of new testing and claims opportunities + consumer-facing messages
• Act as the PD representative at select internal meetings and events, presenting on behalf of the department
• Interface and collaborate with key cross-functional departments (Marketing, Education, Creative, Packaging, Operations) to ensure successful launches and product fidelity
• Help develop and create storytelling, visuals, demos and presentation support assets with Director
• With support from Director, partner with R&D partners at lab and production scale, working on new and existing formulae – attend select pilot / production scale ups to help ensure optimal translation and quality
• Manage library of PD QA standards and facility change processes
• Maintain orderly, neat, efficient standard / submission storage and tracking systems
• Assist in generating and reviewing copy, training materials, ILN’s claim sheets and profiles
• Set-up vendor and new product meetings to review development status and issues relative to timelines
• Issue bi-weekly trend reports on new competitive new product introductions, innovations and competition as well as outside industry/technology inspirations and provide relevant insights
• Attend beauty and cross-industry events (skincare, makeup, packaging, science / formulation), including trend/trade shows and key conferences
• Help record and issue internal and external meeting status notes when required
• Support senior level meetings with samples, documentation, reports and presentation needs
• Help communicate status of programs in alignment with defined milestones using La Mer tracking systems online and off, alerting cross-functionals of any and all important updates (delays, challenges, additional support required)
• Purchase and evaluate key competitive products, reporting on insights to inspire new learnings and applications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate college degree required; preferred focus on sciences, design and/or product development

• 3+ years’ experience in Product Development, with skincare and makeup background

• Excellent organization, communication and follow-through skills

• Multi-functional, flexible and able to adapt easily to ever changing priorities

• Strong evaluation skills and knowledge of skin care and makeup Product Development

• Proficiency in Microsoft Applications: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and IOS systems

• Proficiency in key industry research tools: NPD, Beaute Research, Mintel – Photoshop a plus

• Ability to travel, domestically and internationally to support development needs

• Detail-oriented, self-motivated and creative with ability to work independently and cooperatively in team settings

• Interested in beauty – skincare and color, alternative industry innovation and skin biology

• Self-motivated with a desire to achieve excellence in execution

• Thinks strategically and able to build collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams