Senior Brand Manager

Senior Brand Manager
New Product Innovation/ Product Development
Skincare

Responsible for managing and maximizing the development of all products within the category in addition to white space opportunity - men, body care, anti-aging cleansing.  Partner closely with Global Marketing, R&D groups and outside vendors.  Assist marketing in the development of annual product calendars; providing creation of new product concepts, positioning, claims, as well as identification of new business opportunities.
Communicate with support groups (Design, Package Engineering, Market Research, Sensory Research, Purchasing, R&D, Consumer Science, Manufacturing, etc.) to progress and track the development of all product initiatives. Identifying product direction, as well as benchmarks; identify product claims. This role will  require  working closely with R&D innovation team to help develop new ideas and opportunities for Global Marketing.
•    Concept creation, present all rationale and positioning for brand. Collect creative and technical inspiration from marketplace, R&D technology, non-beauty industries.  Write creative concepts with technical support.
•    Develop formula briefs for issuance to R&D.  Identify product benchmarks with clear performance direction; thorough review of competition with fragrance, color and aesthetic direction.
•    Identifying Product Claims.  Work with R&D on claims list and maximizing efficacy results by creatively developing testing  methodologies and/or techniques with consumer science and clinical testing
•    Responsible for the development and tracking of new product introductions, product trends and fulfilling brand building product line extensions for Global skincare segment.   Maintain an effective dialogue with Global Marketing group to provide timely communication of the product development process.
•    Ongoing review of competitive launches, track global/local trends as they relate to lifestyle, social changes, attitudes, fashion, dermatology and interpret to fit with skincare brand strategy
•    Proactively submit new textures for Category Appraisal
•    Seek out new vendors that offer unique product opportunities for skincare
         Qualifications
•    Bachelors Degree required/MBA preferred
•    8-10 yrs. Beauty industry background.  Must have Skincare experience, fragrance understanding a plus.
•    High level of understanding of beauty markets/Global basis but especially Skin Care, Personal Care and/or Wellness.
•    To exhibit a solid understanding of the beauty/skincare industry and to continue to analyze new introductions and trends and to use this knowledge to create new concepts that fit with the brands strategy.
•    Excellent organizational and leadership skills specifically while giving direction to R&D and vendors for development.
•    Knowledge of package functionality, marketing skills like brand positioning, strategy and portfolio management in order to create new and unique offerings for Avon.
•    Creative writing skills and knowledge of basic components of a "concept positioning outline".
•    Ability to distinguish/develop high quality, aesthetic products.
•    Strong formula evaluation skills (color matching skills and fragrance development skills, understanding of formula textures)
•    Ability to objectively influence & negotiate
•    Understanding of global product needs to facilitate alignment of concepts globally to meet strategic needs of regions
•    Strong Interpersonal skills
•    Creative/artistic skills and creative problem solving
•    Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
•    Keep Executive Director updated on all key product status