Innovation Director, Grooming (Remote)

Edgewell is a global team of over 6,000 visionaries, doers and makers. Our secret is people, and we have an inspiring and collaborative global force of them. Our portfolio of over 25 brands touches lives in more than 50 countries by making useful things joyful. Together, we reimagine good mornings and endless summers, strive for more sustainable ways to beautify and bond, and do it all with not only confidence but determination.

Position Summary

The Innovation Director serves a critical role in driving new product development (NPD) strategy in support of the Grooming Business Unit. Primary responsibilities include supporting the NPD process from consumer insight ideation to product delivery, generating creative assets to support the product, packaging & positioning, managing the Product Development budget, and supporting the annual strategic planning process.  This role will report directly to the SVP/GM of Grooming.

Accountabilities

New Product Development & Innovation Strategy

• Strategic Leader of the Product Development Team for all Grooming Brands (Jack Black, Cremo & Edge) responsible for driving the innovation strategy across the portfolio and overseeing execution and commercialization.
• In partnership with the Global Consumer Insights team, identifies consumer insights, positioning, brand essence, emotional & rationale benefits, and targets users for all new products and makes recommendations as appropriate.  Works closely with Sales organization to ensure individual retailer needs are being met and unique selling need is constructed by account.
• Partners with Creative and Operational teams to derive impactful packaging designs, graphics, and branding; recommends price positioning & oversees P&L by innovation SKU and across innovation by brand.  Responsible for hitting NPD Cost targets and maintaining gross margin expectations.
• Responsible for Grooming Committee to formally evaluate feasibility of Innovation requests via NPD Stage Gate process and make launch recommendations accordingly.
• Partner with Brand and Sales Strategy to bring brand purpose to life through innovation and establish a brand community through unique purposes of new products.
• Partner with Activation to build marketing plans that drive successful launch strategies and ensure high performance in market.
• Responsible for the preparation and presentation of the business plan in support of the new product launch, including forecasts, volume bridges and P&L’s.
• Analyzes post launch performance against launch approval metrics and results, where available and recommend corrective actions.
• Partners with Brand Strategy on segment and portfolio strategy.
• Oversees global brand stewardship including life cycle of brand, including cosmetic & next generation upgrades.
• Partner with the e-comm team to drive accelerated growth and test new innovation through test/learn channels.
• Develop an innovation road map including converting key consumer insights into product opportunities and developing financial projections that support investments.

Required Education, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Business or Marketing related discipline.
• 7+ years of relevant work experience in New Product Development, Product Innovation and Marketing in beauty/skincare segment.

Desirable Education, Skills and Experience

• Experience creating and leading strategic, multi-channel marketing programs for consumer- packaged goods; luxury products or beauty/skincare is preferred.
•  Experience managing Third-Party Manufacturers (TPMs).
• Personal Care or Consumer Packaged Goods experience.
• Experience having directed and managed a sizeable team of direct and in-direct reports.
• Demonstrated experience and leadership managing comprehensive strategic marketing and communications, media relations, and marketing program.
• Strategic, action-oriented individual with a passion for tactical and detailed marketing execution.
• Experience with multiple creative and media agencies crafting a brief, executing a creative plan and evaluating and executing media strategies.
• Experience managing a team and working across departments, with demonstrated success planning and accomplishing goals. Highly skilled at leading others, but fully capable of accomplishing tasks independently when needed.
• Strong team player with the drive to help assure high quality standards.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for new business and a proven track-record in generating, leading and converting opportunities.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail, flexible, self-motivated and able to succeed in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, ability to articulate in a clear and concise manner across various levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, effectively manage time and respond to changing priorities in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills; ability to work in a highly collaborative environment and work effectively with team members and various key stakeholders.
• A strong combination of both creative and analytical skills a must; understanding of budgets and product costing, plus ability to proactively gather, analyze and evaluate complex data.
• Inspiring, motivated and proactive leader that will creatively think outside the box and challenge the team to do the same to build solutions to give the brands an edge.
• Sound financial acumen; strong analytical skills and ability to make data driven decisions.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); must be able to create engaging reports and presentations.

Working Relationships

• Brand Strategy
• Sales Strategy & Sales Org
• Global Consumer Insights
• Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain
• TPMs/CMs, Outside agencies (including advertising, packaging, etc.)
• Legal

Work Environment

• Some travel is required.
• Ability to often work outside of traditional business hours. 

The salary range for this position is $168,000 - $252,000. The actual base salary offered to a candidate may vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, the competitive compensation package may include, depending on the role, participation in an incentive program linked to performance.

#LI-AC1

Edgewell is an equal opportunity employer. We do all we can to create a collaborative and diverse global team, where good ideas can thrive, and our colleagues can learn and lead. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. We listen deeply and speak directly to create an environment that’s open to difference. We aim to bring joy to not only the products we create and the people we serve, but our colleagues across the globe too.