VP, Product Innovation

#MaesaMagic   

Maesa is the world's largest independent beauty incubator, housing numerous, fast growing "it" brands within all categories of beauty. We are a high growth global company in the middle of the transition from founder lead to private equity owned. With an incubation flywheel ideating on new global brand launches, Maesa pushes creative and technical boundaries to deliver exceptional performance and establish global staying power. Maesa has a keen focus on marketing and white space analysis, which guides its thinking on marketing existing brands as well as development of new brands through its extremely unique structure. We are vertically integrated globally with in-house marketing, branding, product development/formulation, packaging design/engineering and regulatory. With a focus on modernity and sustainability, we design innovative solutions and make proactive choices to achieve environmental neutrality and consumer wellness. Maesa has mastered "commercializing creativity," making itself a leader in the fundamental revolutionary change in the beauty industry. Headquartered in New York and Paris, with additional offices in Los Angeles, Vienna, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Dongguan, Maesa employs about 400 team members worldwide. 

The Vice President of Product Innovation will lead and oversee the end-to-end product development process for Maesa, including concept ideation, trend tracking, data analysis, packaging formulation, design. The role involves developing and executing a product vision aligned with the company’s brand, market trends, and business objectives while ensuring high-quality, effective, and innovative products that resonate with the target audience. 

The VP, Product Innovation reports to the SVP, Brand Incubation & Product Innovation. This role is based in NYC and you will be expected in office three (3) days a week, at minimum.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and drive the product development strategy in alignment with Maesa's brand identity and business goals.
• Identify and prioritize new product opportunities, ensuring they align with emerging beauty trends and consumer insights.
• Set and monitor KPIs for product performance and innovation initiatives.
• Continuously seek new technologies, innovations and breakthrough concept opportunities for brands across portfolio.
• Inspire with forward thinking vision and dream big but ensure ideas are grounded in data.

2. Innovation and Development:

• Oversee ideation & development of new products, ensuring highest standards of quality & performance.
• Ensure strategy is led by actionable insights and key claims driving the future of beauty.  
• Build relationships current + new vendors to find innovation.
• Ensure new/better/different concept development & product innovation strategy.
• Partner with internal R&D teams, labs, external vendors to create cutting-edge formulations & technologies.
• Ensure timely development + launch of products within budget constraints.
• Competency in all key beauty categories with strong focus in skincare, personal care and haircare.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with marketing & Sale to align product development with market positioning + consumer demand.
• Collaborate with operations teams to ensure seamless execution and adherence to timelines.
• Partner with regulatory and compliance teams to ensure products meet all legal and safety standards.
• Work side by side with R&D counterparts for best in class innovation and service on innovation from vendors.

4. Market and Consumer Insights:

• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and consumer behavior to inform product development decisions.
• Lead consumer testing and focus groups to gather feedback on product performance and appeal.

5. Team Leadership and Development:

• Build and mentor a high-performing product development team, fostering innovation, empathy & collaboration.
• Provide clear direction, performance feedback, and opportunities for professional growth.

6. Sustainability and Innovation:

• Drive sustainability initiatives in product & design development & innovation.
• Stay ahead of advancements in materials, ingredients, and beauty technology.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in product development within the beauty, skincare, or personal care industry.
• Proven track record of developing commercially successful products in the beauty space.
• Strong understanding of beauty trends, consumer behavior, R&D & regulatory.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Passion for innovation and delivering high-quality, consumer-centric products.
• Well-connected in beauty industry including experience with labs, fragrance houses, raw material suppliers
• Leadership skills and experience managing and mentoring teams.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic vision and innovative mindset.
• POV and strong understanding of trends and taste.
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities; data centric and savvy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and people in a fast-paced environment.
• Expertise in ingredient sourcing, formulation, and packaging trends.
• Commitment to sustainability and inclusivity in beauty.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a passion for driving innovation and staying ahead of market trends in the beauty industry. 
• A team player with an upbeat and positive attitude.  
• Strong analytic, organizational and communication/presentation skills.
• Highly engaging storyteller & presenter.
• Retailer presentation experience.

What We Offer

$195K/yr - $240K/yr. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. This position is eligible for participation in a discretionary bonus plan based on individual and company performance.  

Maesa offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees. Employees can choose to enroll in health insurance coverage, wellness programs, life and disability insurance, and retirement savings plans. Through generous paid time off, a hybrid office setup, and paid leave options, Maesa encourages wellness and balance among employees.

Our Commitment to You

At Maesa, we live by our values of collaboration, curiosity, game-changing, creativity, and discipline.  We believe our people and partners are a creative force that catalyzes the possibilities in beauty to break through traditional limits and discover the “new” without restriction. We prioritize creating and fostering a welcoming environment for employees, partners, ideas, approaches, and endeavors — all through a spirit of warmth and inclusivity. As set forth in Maesa’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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