Senior Product Manager

Job Title: Senior Product Manager

Location: Brentford Offices

Contract : Full time / Permanent

Department: Marketing & Innovation

Reporting to: Global Head of Brand and Innovation

Aromatherapy Associates has been sharing the therapeutic powers of essential oils for almost 40 years. The brand was founded in 1985 by Geraldine Howard & Sue Beechey, therapists that had trained under the renowned aromatherapist Micheline Arcier, who can be traced back to the modern-day founders of aromatherapy. It was then that they experienced first-hand the powerfully positive effects of essential oils on our physical and emotional wellbeing.

As a company we have a family culture and live by one of Geraldine’s beliefs: “It’s more than just a business, it’s a way of life”.

The brand is present in over 50 markets globally with regional sales offices in the UK, US and Hong Kong. Distribution is across spa, retail, online retailers, e-commerce and distributor partners.

As aromatherapy experts, our vision has remained constant for a generation – sharing the power and therapeutic effects of natural essential oils. Our award-winning blends have gained recognition across the beauty world for their transformative effects on the mind, body and skin.

Expertly hand-blended in our London laboratory, our essential oils and unique active botanicals have created innovations in body and skincare.

We care deeply about the ingredients we use and how we deliver them to you. We take a mindful approach to the origins, workers wellbeing and certification of all our oils and botanicals, with a commitment to evolving our support for global community projects.

Our sustainability vision is an ongoing endeavour, along with our desire to create the very best aromatherapy products, so you can enjoy beautiful, glowing, healthy skin, free from harsh chemicals and synthetics.

Overview of the role

As a Senior Product Manager, you will create and lead the delivery of our new products and gift sets and support on the Aromatherapy Associates brand refresh project.

This position will be responsible for delivery of the NPD plan from cross functional project delivery, development of new products from brief to launch, artwork and design. You will own the critical paths, stage gate process, costing and budget control and ensure timely delivery of new product launches, holding the consumer at the he art of your thinking. This role will also support the Global Brand and Innovation Manager in the brand refresh project.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Pipeline Development : Develop a 3-year innovation pipeline in collaboration with the Global Head of Brand and Innovation, focused on delivering profitable growth and maintaining the key values of the brand, including B-Corporation credentials.

Product Strategy Execution : Implement product strategies that align with business objectives and current market trends.

New Product Development Management : Manage new product development process from concept through to launch by taking full ownership of multiple CPAs to ensure timely delivery. Drive comprehensive project management by assessing needs and mitigating risks at each stage with clear communication and cross-functional alignment on action plans.

Innovation Focus : Ensure the brand continues to be relevant and profitable by bringing innovative product concepts to life, whilst keeping a strong focus on growing core categories.

Stage Gate Management : Management of Stage Gate sign offs according to project CPAs, including working on COGs, RRPs and margin to hit the budgets.

Brand Refresh Initiative : Support the Global Head of Brand and Innovation with the business wide Brand Refresh initiative, from brief to execution, including reformulating, redesigning, and repackaging our current ranges and launching new ones.

Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with brand, commercial, and operations teams to ensure that all aspects of the marketing mix, including product assortment and pricing, are respected.

NPD Budget Management : Manage the NPD budget, providing monthly updates to the Global Head of Brand and Innovation.

Artwork and Packaging Management : Prepare artwork briefs and oversee the approval process, including the development of packaging copy and claims.

Stakeholder Management : Manage external manufacturing suppliers and agencies and their work from brief to high quality execution

NPD Marketing Meetings : Chair weekly NPD marketing meetings to track project progress and updates.

Presentation and Reporting : Present product updates during bi-weekly cross-functional marketing meetings and monthly Brand and Innovation meetings with the leadership team.

Ongoing Analysis : Conduct continuous analysis of data, consumer insights, competitor activity, and market trends to inform the development of NPD plans and the brand refresh strategy.

Person Specification

As a Senior Product Manager, you will possess a natural sense of gravitas and a deep understanding of the consumer. You are driven to deliver best-in-class innovation and committed to continuous professional growth, always keeping the consumer at the heart of every decision to create a clear path to sales.

The Ideal Candidate

Experience : 7+ years of experience working in NPD and within the beauty and personal care sector, with a proven track record of successful product concept development.

Project Management : Hands-on experience in cross-functional CPA project management, delivering innovative luxury products on time and within budget.

Product Lifecycle Knowledge : Strong understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle functions, coupled with a proactive and self-driven attitude.

Commercial Acumen : Demonstrated ability to ensure brand investments align with key growth objectives through strong business case proposals.

Stakeholder Management : Experience in delivering effective product, packaging, and artwork briefs while managing external stakeholders, including design agencies and packaging suppliers.

Creative Skills : Strong creative capabilities, from developing concepts and packaging briefs to crafting product copy.

Strategic Thinking : Ability to analyse and identify opportunities, developing comprehensive plans that drive change and enhance performance.

Budget Management : Experience in managing and monitoring NPD budgets effectively.

Stage Gate Process : Experience in successfully running a stage gate process for product development.

Project Management Skills : Excellent project and time management skills.

Collaboration : Proven ability to work collaboratively across functions.

Negotiation Skills : Strong negotiation abilities.

Problem-Solving : A proactive problem-solving mindset.

Attention to Detail : Exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of work.

Passion for the Brand : A genuine enthusiasm for aromatherapy and wellness.

Aromatherapy Associates is dedicated to fostering a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that a diverse workforce leads to richer discussions, innovative ideas, and better outcomes for our team and the communities we serve. We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to create a more inclusive and equitable future.