Product Development Director

The Company:DIME Beauty's mission is to create luxurious skincare and beauty products that are clean, effective, and affordable. It is DIME's goal that customers will feel confident in who they are and embrace their skin in all its unique and beautiful stages.Position Description:The Product Development Director supports and operationalizes the product strategy and long-term innovation roadmap defined by the Chief Brand Officer. While the CBO owns the overall product vision, category direction, and multi-year roadmap, the PD Director translates this vision into an executable development strategy—leading formula direction, technical feasibility, supplier partnerships, claims strategy, and the cross-functional execution required to deliver best-in-class products.Duties/Responsibilities:Innovation Strategy & Pipeline OwnershipBuild and maintain a 24–36 month product pipeline aligned to brand strategy, financial targets, and whitespace opportunityTranslate brand DNA and audience insights into product concepts and innovation opportunitiesPartner with CBO to define hero strategy, portfolio architecture, and category expansionConduct competitive deep dives, trend analysis, and ingredient innovation scoutingFormula, Claims & Sensory LeadershipDrive formula direction with contract manufacturers, ensuring alignment with brand standards, performance requirements, and the product vision set by executive leadershipPartner with Brand teams to shape claims strategy, testing roadmaps, and substantiation plans that support brand positioning and long-term innovation goalsEvaluate and guide all sample rounds, including texture, finish, absorption, fragrance accords, aroma intensity, dry-down, longevity, and overall sensorial profile. Provide technical and strategic recommendations to external development partners (ex: labs, chemists, contract manufacturers) for iterationLead cross-functional reviews of formula progression and sensorial direction; provide expertise to inform decisions while escalating key milestones and final approvals to the Chief Brand Officer, CEO, and Founders for alignment with brand vision and commercial objectivesEnsure all formulas meet required benchmarks for efficacy, stability, safety, compliance, ingredient philosophy, and competitive differentiationVendor & Supplier ManagementBuild and maintain relationships with CMOs, fragrance houses, packaging partners, and raw material suppliersNegotiate costings, lead times, MOQs, and exclusivity opportunitiesImplement vendor scorecarding and performance reviewsBuild and maintain strategic relationships with contract manufacturers (CMOs), fragrance houses, packaging partners, and raw material suppliers across skincare, body care, and fragrance to support DIME’s product innovation goalsLead technical and strategic discussions with vendors including formulation advancement, ingredient innovation, packaging feasibility, sustainability options, “clean” formulation requirements, and category-specific performance needsNegotiate costings, MOQs, lead times, testing requirements, and exclusivity opportunities in partnership with executive leadership team, ensuring alignment with brand objectives and target marginsDevelop vendor scorecarding, performance tracking, and capability assessments to ensure partners consistently meet quality, innovation, compliance, and responsiveness standardsPartner closely with Supply Chain/Operations to align on forecasts, capacity planning, production schedules, and operational constraints while maintaining ownership of technical feasibility, formula direction, and supplier innovation opportunitiesCollaborate with Operations on final contract terms, production pricing, and supply continuity while retaining PD oversight of formula integrity, fragrance briefs, raw material specification control, and packaging technical validationIdentify potential new vendor partners, fragrance houses, raw material innovations, and packaging technologies to support long-term product pipeline development and elevate brand competitivenessBusiness & Financial ManagementOwn COGs strategy, margin targets, and cost optimization across the PD pipelinePartner with operations on forecasts, inventory needs, and risk mitigationEnsure all launches meet margin and cost requirements prior to gate approvalPartner with Finance, Operations, and the Chief Brand Officer to support annual budget planning for product development, including R&D expenses, testing, sampling, packaging prototypes, and vendor feesCross-Functional LeadershipCollaborate closely with Product Marketing, Creative, Regulatory, and Operations to move products from concept to launchLead PD reviews, milestone meetings, and executive gate approvalsProvide technical guidance and product expertise across the organizationBuild scalable processes, documentation systems, and operating standardsFoster a culture of proactive problem solving, clarity, and excellenceOthersCompletes assigned training on timeOther duties as assignedRequirements:Proven leadership of cross-functional programs and external vendorsStrong strategic thinking, negotiation, and margin management skillsAbility to balance long-term vision with operational realityQualifications, Education and Experience:8+ years of product development experience in beauty/skincareExperience in both skincare and fragrance development, preferredHands-on experience developing skincare or fragrance products for brands with clean ingredient philosophies, sensitive-skin standards, or no-list formulation requirements, preferredDeep technical knowledge of formulas, raw materials, claims, and regulatory considerationsPhysical Requirements:Works in a hybrid environment, either in a home or office settingProlonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computerRegularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use fingers to operate a computer and telephonePowered by JazzHRiippUAVYXv