Product Development Manager, Haircare– Drybar & Curlsmith in London

Position: Product Development Manager, Haircare – Drybar & Curlsmith

Department: Product Development for Drybar & Curlsmith

Work Location: 100% Remote in the Greater London Area. Due to required travel into Central London, only candidates based within Greater London will be considered.

What you will be doing:

We are looking for a savvy, passionate Product Development Manager who is excited about launching new products in the beauty sector for Drybar & Curlsmith! This position will be critical managing the launch process for all new products from the innovation calendar for Helen of Troy Prestige Haircare Beauty. The ideal candidate will have a background in product development within the beauty industry, be beauty obsessed and thrive in a fast‑paced, very hands‑on environment with a can‑do attitude and attention to detail.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for managing and executing all phases of the product development process from concept to launch of liquids.
• Stay up to date on the latest beauty industry trends, ingredients, packaging and consumer and competitor activity to generate product vision backed with data to inspire and inform briefs and manage product innovation ideation.
• Maintain strong product and brand focus, keeping the customer top of mind; manage and create new product development briefs that address consumer needs and ensure product experience and uniqueness are delivered upon, with alignment of marketing on key ingredients, features, and benefits.
• Oversee the daily functions of product development, sourcing raw materials, working directly with contract manufacturers; review and evaluate submissions and advise on redirects providing specific directions to CMs.
• Manage timing, pilot, and production to ensure product meets all requirements and is consistent throughout scaleup for final approvals and sign‑offs; manage and closely monitor the schedule of manufacturing to keep batching and fill dates on track.
• Problem‑solve, assess and remove roadblocks based on any delays and challenges to ensure timely receipt of finished goods approval, release and shipping process.
• Oversee the daily functions of packaging development from brief and sizing based on competitive analysis; create COGs sheets for margin and MSRP analysis and align with marketing; work with outside vendors, track on‑time launches, sign off on specs.
• Manage multiple product development projects and milestones at once.
• Align claim substantiation plan with marketing and R&D/regulatory/legal.
• Work closely across cross‑functional teams (creative, sales, marketing, operations, quality, R&D, packaging and regulatory) to execute product launch strategies to ensure on‑time, successful and qualitative launches.
• Track key product development milestones, communicate updates and propose solutions when dates change or shift.

Skills needed to be successful in this role:

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and seek assistance from appropriate parties when needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to problem‑solve.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to switch between projects without sacrificing quality and accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and third‑party labs.
• Strong understanding of cosmetic formulation, ingredients, and manufacturing processes.
• Proactive and self‑motivated individual with a passion for product development in beauty, staying up to date with industry trends.
• Excellent project‑management skills with ability to manage multiple launches simultaneously.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5+ years in the personal care industry within Product Development.
• Experience in product development in personal care industry.
• Experience working with contract manufacturers and packaging suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record of launching successful products in competitive beauty markets.

About Helen of Troy: Founded in 1968, Helen of Troy is a prominent player in the global consumer products industry, offering diverse career opportunities across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. We boast a collection of renowned brands such as OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey, Honeywell, PUR, Braun, Vicks, Hot Tools, Drybar, Curlsmith, and Revlon – many of which rank #1, #2, or #3 in their respective categories, making the Helen of Troy name synonymous with excellence and ingenuity.

At Helen of Troy, our strategy involves acquiring brands that we can integrate and enhance, amplifying their unique attributes to drive growth and profitability. Embracing a culture of collaboration internally and externally, we are committed to providing innovative solutions tailored to consumers, operational excellence, global scalability, and exceptional shared services to support our brand portfolio.

Wondering if you should apply? Helen of Troy welcomes people as diverse as our brands! Have the confidence to come as who you are because your point of view, skills, and experience will make us stronger. If you're eager to share new ideas and try new things, we want to hear from you.