Associate Manager, Product Development - Fenty Skin

ABOUT KENDO

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 $79,900 - $99,900 per year. Offered salary is dependent upon experience and a San Francisco 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 two weeks during the calendar year and December wellness/shutdown week for applicable positions.

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

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Associate Manager, Product Development will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day formula development process from concept to launch within the Fenty Skin brand. The position will be responsible for assisting in leading day-to-day communication with vendors, collaborating cross-functionally with Packaging, Project Management, Sourcing, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, Brand Management, Copy, Marketing and Education to ensure delivery of best-in-class products that align with the Fenty Skin brand identity, vision and business goals, while supporting the Senior Manager, Product Development as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Fenty Skin product development team in day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
• Oversee day-to-day product development operations, including sending shipments, organizing supply closet, organizing product development submissions, and miscellaneous office tasks.
• Coordinate and manage formula submission evaluations, ensuring samples are distributed to team and management and feedback is collected, tracked and analyzed in a timely manner.
• Track formula submissions and feedback in project tracker. Keep project tracker up to date and easy to access formula submission information.
• Organize and conduct internal and external testing panels, analyze testing results, and present insights to the Product Development team for optimal decision-making.
• Create product samples for meetings and presentations.
• Manage and lead formula stability set-up, tracking and evaluation. Partner with Packaging and Quality to ensure compatibility samples are reviewed by Product Development, and formula takeaways are aligned on, recorded, and approved by Sr. Manager, Product Development.
• Review batch and pre-shipment production samples, elevating concerns to Sr. Manager, Product Development.
• Support and help manage ongoing and new product development.
• Partner with cross-functional team members on PD-related tasks and projects, e.g. product briefs, formula evaluations, sample preparation & distribution, product artwork review, and meeting preparation.
• Assist in managing vendor development calls. Communicate with external labs and contract manufacturers regarding submissions and documentation.
• Coordinate and manage all testing samples for development projects (e.g. formula stability, RIPT, PET, water activity, clinical/consumer studies, etc). Partner with Regulatory to ensure product testing is performed and reported in a timely manner.
• Monitor and maintain on-time delivery of critical project milestones.
• Maintain a strong understanding of trends and the competitive skincare market, identifying current and emerging competitors. Analyze and present compelling competitive and relevant products to Product Development team.
• Maintain key relationships with contract manufacturers. Conduct onsite development when necessary.

REQUIREMENTS

• College degree with 3+ year’s relevant work experience in skincare product development
• Passionate for the beauty industry, especially the skincare category
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, often-changing collaborative environment
• Able to take direction and work collaboratively
• Proven track record of taking ownership and driving results
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrates a can-do attitude and is an enthusiastic self-starter.
• Is a team player with a positive attitude, flexible, and able to adapt to change
• Demonstrates ability to manage multiple responsibilities through strong prioritization and planning
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail