Product Development Manager (Updated) (Chicago)

Role : Product Development Manager

Department : PD

Location : Remote: LA or NY preferred

Type : Full-Time

Required Work Authorization : USA

Salary Range : $110k-$120k

Product Development Manager

We are looking for a detailed-oriented and trend-driven Product Development Manager with proven experience in the beauty industry to drive innovation and storytelling through our products. This is a unique opportunity to blend creativity, strategy, and analytical thinking while playing a hands-on role in shaping the growth of our brand and our positioning in the industry.

In this role—

You are responsible for working directly with the Director of Product to define and execute on our long term product roadmap. You will lead all product development from idea through to launch, driving innovation for the brand and the category. You will champion all timelines, working cross functionally and with our external partners to ensure product launches are executed on time and within budget.

What you will do—

Product Development: Deliver best-in-class product innovation for the brand

• Partner with the Product Strategy Manager and Director of Product to strategize how to best bring our innovation visions to life
• Lead prototyping, development and testing process for all new products, inclusive of formula, packaging, tools and merch items
• Manage relationships with third-party development partners to drive development forward
• Collaborate with our quality and regulatory experts to ensure new product is developed reliability and compliant in our key markets

Project Management: Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and bring to market all new product innovation, ensuring product is delivered on schedule and on budget

• Maintain close cross functional communication with Operations, Brand and Marketing to ensure relevant information is being communicated
• Utilize project management tools, such as asana and Smartsheet, to keep projects on track
• Attend meetings with vendors and internal teams to drive active product development projects forward
• Organize and maintain all lab samples and master standards

Process/Function-Building: Optimize processes and communication touch-points to build a best-in-class development function

Product Reporting: Own reporting for all product development KPIs, ensuring the executive team is up to date on the status and health of the development function

Experience—

• Bachelor's Degree in related field of study
• 4+ years of product development experience
• Beauty and personal care experience required, haircare experience strongly preferred
• Strong organizational and communications skills with the ability to work both internally and externally
• Flexibility and willingness to take on additional responsibilities when needed
• Problem solver who can deal with ambiguity
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
• Action and results oriented

In this role / Growth Opportunity—

• Gain experience in a cross-functional role in a dynamic, fast-paced company in its early stages with opportunity for accelerated growth
• Drive brand and product innovation in an up-and-coming category

About Crown Affair—

Crown Affair is a first of its kind haircare brand that empowers people to redefine their relationship with their hair through accessible luxury products, guidance, and community. We believe that loving your hair starts with understanding how to care for it. Each product we make is developed to work together with any (or all) of our other products, so that together they form more than a routine: a ritual. We’ve partnered with dedicated craftsmen and chemists around the world to create thoughtfully sourced products you’ll love using each and every day.

About The Founder—

Dianna Cohen started her career at digital content platform, Into The Gloss, in 2012. She was part of the founding team of e-commerce mobile app, Spring, where she launched and managed their marketing channels from pre-launch through year two. From there, she worked closely with former Jimmy Choo founder, Tamara Mellon, to relaunch her namesake brand as a direct-to- consumer, luxury company. After launching Tamara Mellon in 2016, Dianna joined travel company, Away, as Head of Partnerships until she left to start Levitate at the end of 2017. Under Levitate, Dianna worked with a number of direct-to- consumer brands including, Harry’s / Flamingo, Outdoor Voices, Yumi, Buck Mason, The Wing, and more. Dianna is part of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for the Class of 2019.