Director, New Product Development & Projects

Who We Are

Our Mission

Summary

Strategic Leadership & NPD Excellence

• Own and evolve KAYALI’s Stage-Gate product development framework, ensuring clear governance, decision-making, and accountability across all phases of the lifecycle
• Define and govern stage gates, including entry/exit criteria, decision checkpoints, and escalation protocols
• Lead the development of the 24-month global launch roadmap, ensuring alignment with brand, commercial, and supply strategies
• Drive continuous improvement of speed-to-market while balancing innovation, risk, and quality
• Act as the central point of accountability for on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery of all launches globally

Stage 0–1: Concept & Feasibility

• Ensure robust front-end innovation processes, including clear concept definition, consumer insight integration, and strategic opportunity sizing
• Oversee feasibility assessment across formula, packaging, regulatory, and supply capabilities
• Validate business cases (cost, margin, timelines, scale viability) prior to gate approval
• Align cross-functional stakeholders on risk, trade-offs, and go/no-go decisions early in the process

Stage 2: Development & Validation

• Oversee end-to-end development across all projects, ensuring alignment on timelines, KPIs, and quality standards
• Ensure rigorous management of formulation, packaging development, testing, and regulatory validation
• Drive disciplined milestone tracking, risk mitigation, and issue escalation across all active projects
• Build and maintain robust project timelines, ensuring proactive tracking, risk management, and milestone adherence
• Establish clear governance across projects, including stage gates, decision frameworks, and escalation protocols

Stage 3: Industrialization & Launch Readiness

• Lead transition from development to production, ensuring readiness across manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics
• Oversee forecasting, demand alignment, and order placement in partnership with Demand Planning and Regional Markets
• Ensure all launch readiness criteria are met, including operational, commercial, and regulatory requirements
• Drive accountability for OTIF delivery across all launches

Stage 4: Launch & Post-Launch Optimization

• Track launch performance against defined KPIs, including sales, forecast accuracy, OTIF, and operational delivery
• Champion a mindset of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement
• Drive post-launch reviews to capture learnings and inform future pipeline decisions
• Identify opportunities for optimization, reformulation, or lifecycle extension
• Embed continuous improvement across tools, processes, and ways of working to elevate efficiency and scalability

Cross-Functional Orchestration

• Act as the central connector across all functions, ensuring alignment, accountability, and transparency across each stage gate [JD -Direct...dits).docx \| Word]
• Lead structured cross-functional forums aligned to stage-gate checkpoints
• Ensure clear communication of risks, priorities, and decisions to senior leadership

Supplier & External Partner Management

• Ensure external partners are fully aligned to stage-gate timelines, deliverables, and quality standards
• Integrate suppliers early in feasibility and development phases to de-risk execution
• Drive accountability across manufacturing and supply partners through industrialization

Risk Management & Operational Excellence

• Embed proactive risk identification and mitigation at each stage of the product lifecycle
• Establish structured “red flag” reporting tied to stage-gate decision points

Forecasting & Launch Readiness

• Oversee launch forecasting in collaboration with Demand Planning and Regional Markets
• Ensure accurate submission of forecasts and timely placement of orders for components and finished goods
• Drive excellence in launch readiness, ensuring all operational elements are aligned ahead of go-live

Team Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and scale a high-performing NPD & Projects team, ensuring the right structure, capabilities, and resourcing to support business growth
• Set clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations across the team, driving accountability and ownership
• Coach and develop team members, providing ongoing feedback, mentorship, and career development support
• Foster a culture of collaboration, agility, and continuous improvement, aligned with KAYALI values
• Ensure strong resource planning and workload prioritization across projects to optimize team efficiency
• Partner with People & Culture to attract, retain, and develop top talent within the function
• **Requirements*** 10+ years of experience in New Product Development, Project Management, or Transformation within beauty, fragrance, or luxury consumer goods
• Proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional global launches
• Strong expertise across product development and end-to-end supply chain processes
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Strong strategic thinking combined with operational rigor and attention to detail
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, MS Project, etc.)
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, founder-led, high-growth environment

**Benefits*** Premium Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

• Find your Magic Days
• Volunteer Day
• Birthday Leave

• Egg Freezing Benefits

• Employee discounts on all Kayali products
• Quarterly product gifting
• KAYALI is committed to building diverse and inclusive teams and upholding an equal employment workplace that is free from discrimination.
• We hire stellar individuals regardless of their race, color, ancestry, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, medical conditions, disability, or veteran status.
• If you need reasonable accommodations at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.