Dir - Product Development

L'Oreal USA is the leading beauty company in America, which develops and manufactures haircare, haircolor, skincare, color cosmetics and fragrances. Our distribution network of salons, mass market, specialty and department stores makes us the most comprehensive beauty company in the U.S. We offer exciting positions, flexible development paths and outstanding rewards that will give your career a whole new look. For more information about our company, culture, brands and all of our job openings please visit our website at: www.lorealusa.com L'Oreal USA is an equal opportunity employer M / F / D / V. Responsible for assisting with the development, launch and maintenance of the Ralph Lauren Cosmetics and Skincare line.Includes: Development of cosmetic and skincare new products (all categories), development of marketing plans; advertising ' creative development, media planning and monitoring media budgets, strategizing the brand for optimum sales growth, controlling costs, issuing budget guidelines with input from markets, development of promotional programs, in-store collateral and retail environment, tracking worldwide advertising production and usage of budgets, maintaining the Affaire de Marque budget (including new product development, market research).RESPONSIBILITIESProduct Development:' Identify opportunities, study competition and lifestyle trends, develop positioning and marketing plan for any new brand opportunities.' Build strong 3-YR plan with input from local markets' Work with R&D to bring into brand latest innovations and breakthroughs' Develop all aspect of new product: concept, packaging, name, body copy, pricing, advertising, collaterals ' Develop Seasonal Collections in keeping with trends and RL Fashion Calendar ' Be accountable for brand COG (per product and average)' Assist in development of merchandising and planograms' Interface with Polo Ralph Lauren Corporate for approval of all aspects of new products Seasonal/Promotional Programming:' Develop promotional programs (including GWP, Value sets, Collateral, etc.) for each season for global and market specific promotions.' Monitor and track programs throughout development and production process including preparing and issuing of paperwork for every project, attending development meetings and liaise with all support groups (including marketing services, creative, promotional purchasing, promotional development and copy)' Work with domestic marketing and international marketing to develop strategic plan and ensure proper execution in-store.' Interface with Polo Ralph Lauren Corporate for approval of promotional plans.' Liaise with other Ralph Lauren licensees to develop any strategies in promotional plansAdvertising:' Work with Vice President/General Manager; advertising agency and Polo Ralph Lauren Corporate to contribute to the development of a strategic media plan and effective creative units' Track global and domestic production and usage of budgets.' Interface with agency for competitive advertising requests for presentations' Coordinate with copy, creative domestic and international departments on newspaper and catalog requirements.Budgets:' Monitor spend on all promotional programs (including GWP, Value sets, collateral, sampling programs, etc.) to ensure that all programs stay within the budgetary guidelines set up by each local market.' Overall tracking/management of key lines within the affaire de Marque budget; specifically overseeing new product development, market research and advertising. Work with creative regarding package development.' Manage the internet budget.' Work with marketing services, technical packaging and purchasing to develop cost of goods budgets for new projects.' Prepare gross margin models as prototypes for new projects (i.e. project signature).Brand Maintenance and development:' Develop seasonal/yearly marketing plans for brand with input from local markets.' Interface with support groups to optimize any new opportunities for new and existing brands.' Work with support groups.SPECIAL SKILLS' Good understanding of the competition, specifically department store environment.' Must have strong organizational, communication and follow-up skills.' Ability to work independently. ' Ability to function in a fast paced environment.' Excellent interpersonal skills.' Proficient in word/excel and PowerPoint. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION' Five + years experience in the cosmetics and fragrance industry with a focus on Color and Skincare.' Ability to demonstrate creativity and strategic planning skills' Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with cross functional groups' Exceptional planning and organizational ability to ensure the completion of projects under tight deadlines' College Degree required' MBA a plus