Project Manager – Advanced Concept Development, Beauty and Home Care

Position Summary

Conair is seeking a Project Manager to join our Advanced Concept Development team, supporting early-stage innovation across Beauty and Home Care categories. This role is responsible for driving projects through the early-stage gate process, partnering closely with cross‑functional teams in the U.S. and China to bring consumer‑focused product concepts to life.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, comfortable navigating ambiguity, and passionate about consumer‑facing design, functionality, and innovation. This position plays a critical role in shaping U.S.‑based product launches by translating early ideas into actionable development plans while maintaining visibility across the innovation pipeline.

• Manage multiple early‑stage innovation projects from concept through early gate approvals, ensuring alignment with business and brand objectives.
• Own project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and documentation within Conair’s stage‑gate development process.
• Collaborate closely with R&D teams in the U.S. and China, as well as Industrial Design, Product Marketing, Engineering, Finance, and other cross‑functional partners.
• Serve as the primary project liaison with factory partners in China, supporting feasibility assessments, timing, and early development execution.
• Manage project documentation for stage‑gate approvals and pipeline reporting.
• Actively contribute to quarterly pipeline reviews, providing feasibility insights, scenario planning, and risk assessments.
• Support idea formation by providing high‑level guidance on complexity, timelines, and risk mitigation during early concept development.
• Facilitate cross‑functional communication, issue resolution, and risk mitigation throughout early development phases.
• Support consumer‑centric decision making by aligning design, functionality, and usability with target consumer needs.
• Prepare and present project updates, timelines, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Product Development, Design, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in project management within consumer products, appliances, or innovation‑focused environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects within a stage‑gate product development process.
• Experience working directly with factories and development partners in China.
• Strong ability to manage timelines and cross‑functional inputs in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively across time zones and cultures.
• Comfort with ambiguity and new process implementation.
• Ability to manage complexity and maintain credibility in a dynamic, matrixed organizational environment.
• Experience in Hair Care, Garment Care, or Small Home Appliances is a plus.

• Working conditions are normal for an office environment.
• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use a computer keyboard and view a monitor for extended periods of time.
• This role requires Stamford, CT office on‑site presence Monday through Thursday, with the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere on Fridays.

• Comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision plans
• Generous Paid Time Off Programs
• Life & Disability Insurance
• FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401k and company match
• EAP & Employee Wellness Programs
• Volunteer Days Paid Time Off
• Free breakfast and lunch in the Stamford office

Conair is a leading international designer, manufacturer, and marketer of branded personal care and small kitchen appliances, cookware, hairbrushes & accessories, cosmetic bags, and travel accessories.

Conair has always been driven by a passion for innovation; it’s part of the Company’s DNA. Trendsetting products have been invented by Conair since its inception in 1959, keeping the Company always a step ahead of the competition. The company's domestic and international divisions offer a diversified mix of consumer and professional products sold in over 120 countries. The Family of Conair brands include CONAIR, Cuisinart, Cuisinart Outdoors, Ba Byliss Pro , Scünci , TRAVEL SMART by CONAIR, and Waring.

Conair’s passion for innovation gets stronger with each decade, as evidenced by the over 1,000 patents the Company has obtained worldwide. Today, Conair and its brands are names known throughout the world. Conair continues to introduce its brands to new and emerging markets, year after year. By the 1990s, most households in America owned at least one Conair product. Today many have more than one, and the Company’s goal is to ensure that every household in the world eventually owns one of our products.

At Conair, we inspire our customers with innovative high‑quality products and brands that enhance their lives.