Head of Innovation & NPD

Company Description Slick Gorilla began in the UK and has grown into a global men’s hair care brand, known for launching the first Men’s Hair Powder in 2016. The company now operates in over 60 countries and sells on average one bottle of hair powder every minute. With an industry-leading social media presence, best seller status and a strong brand identity as “Winner's Choice,” Slick Gorilla offers a dynamic environment for Men passionate about high quality personal care.

Role Description The Head of Innovation & NPD (New Product Development) is a full-time remote role responsible for leading the end-to-end innovation and product development pipeline at Slick Gorilla. This role oversees market and consumer research, idea generation, concept testing, and the development of new men's personal care products from initial brief through to launch. The Head of Innovation & NPD collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, supply chain, and external partners, to ensure products exceed brand standards, performance expectations and capture white space in categories. The role also involves mentoring team members, championing vision and direction, and continuously scouting trends and technologies in the personal care industry.

What You'd Be Doing In This Role

- Lead the brand vision for Product innovation and Development direction across all categories.

- Ensure brand is at the forefront of NPD harnessing a forward thinking mindset becoming leaders in categories.

- Be the senior lead on New Product Development projects from concept through to launch.

- Ensure successful project plans, timelines and critical paths across all NPD projects and initiatives.

- Actively monitor trends and capabilities within hair & beauty across tech, ingredients, components and all other relevancies.

- Monitor competitor activity, consumer trends and personal care market developments to identify opportunities for future product launches.

- Lead direction for the development of lifestyle products, gift-with-purchase (GWP) items and seasonal launches.

- Develop new product concepts across hair, skin and future product categories.

- Forecast and lead launch timelines and ensure alignment with wider team and stakeholders.

- Own packaging development, artwork approvals and product specification management.

- Work closely with suppliers, manufacturers and external partners throughout the product development process maintaining strong working relationships.

- Support internal team and stakeholders with product-related vision, updates and developments.

- Ensure all products comply with relevant regulatory requirements, legislation and industry standards across applicable markets and territories.

- Lead accurate and effective product testing, sampling, evaluation and performance reviews.

- Ensure correct and accurate product documentation and development records.

- Develop where required improvement initiatives across the NPD process.