At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the full new product development pipeline for a vibrant fragrance brand.
- Company: Join a passionate British fragrance house with an exciting product portfolio.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on creativity and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Shape innovative fragrances and make a mark in the beauty industry.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in NPD within fragrance or beauty, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Join a British fragrance house and own the full NPD function within a fast-growing, experience-led brand with a passionate following and an exciting product portfolio.
The Role
As Head of NPD, you will set the strategic direction for new product development and own the end-to-end pipeline, from concept ideation through to launch across fine fragrance, home fragrance and adjacent categories. You will lead a talented team, drive cross-functional delivery and act as the brand’s guardian of product quality, compliance and innovation.
- Set the long-term NPD vision and roadmap in close partnership with Marketing, defining category, format and white space opportunities across a 3 to 5 year horizon.
- Champion a disruptive innovation agenda, leading horizon-scanning sessions, innovation sprints and bold concept development.
- Brief and manage external fragrance houses, overseeing scent submissions, formulation development, stability testing and technical sign-off.
- Lead bespoke bottle, component and tooling development from concept through to production, providing hands-on technical expertise throughout.
- Own full project management including critical paths, costings, bill of materials, margin analysis and launch delivery.
- Oversee the artwork process from briefing through to regulatory compliance and final approval.
- Maintain master product documentation, physical archives and the packaging library as the single point of reference across all departments.
- Own product compliance including PIF, CPSR and safety assessments across all selling markets.
- Place first purchase orders for all NPD products and coordinate raw material and component procurement through to delivery.
- Build, coach and develop the NPD team, setting clear objectives and growing capability in line with the brand’s ambitions.
- Act as the central NPD contact across Marketing, Retail, Ecommerce, Supply Chain and external partners.
Sound like you? You bring at least seven years of NPD experience within fragrance, beauty or personal care, including senior or Head of NPD-level ownership of an end-to-end pipeline. You have a proven track record of disruptive, category-challenging innovation and the leadership skills to build teams that sustain it. Your hands-on technical expertise in mould and tooling development, combined with strong regulatory knowledge and sharp commercial acumen, sets you apart. You are highly organised, confident with numbers and genuinely passionate about fragrance and beauty.
Head of New Product Development in London employer: Artisan People Group
As a leading British fragrance house, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to take ownership of their projects and drive meaningful change. With a strong focus on personal and professional growth, we offer extensive development opportunities and encourage collaboration across teams, ensuring that every voice is heard. Join us in a vibrant location where creativity thrives, and be part of a passionate team dedicated to crafting exceptional products that resonate with our loyal customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Product Development in London
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Artisan People Group!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Artisan People Group would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Artisan People Group through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Product Development in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Head of New Product Development, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Head of New Product Development position at Artisan People Group. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Artisan People Group
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
