Product Development Manager, Cosmetics

Location: Korea

Job Description

Summary:

The Product Developer is responsible for developing innovative, commercially viable beauty products from initial concept through launch.

This role manages the full product development lifecycle, including market and trend analysis, product concept development, product positioning, formula and packaging development, cost and margin management, cross-functional coordination, and launch readiness.

The Product Developer is expected to combine consumer insight, product creativity, commercial judgment, and strong project execution to develop products that strengthen the brand and drive sustainable sales growth across retail and e-commerce channels.

Job Description:

1. Market, Consumer & Trend Analysis Continuously monitor beauty, skincare, cosmetic, ingredient, packaging, and consumer trends.

Analyze competitive brands, products, pricing, claims, ingredients, packaging, and channel strategies.

Identify emerging product opportunities based on consumer needs, market trends, competitive gaps, and business opportunities.

Monitor new product launches and best-selling products across key beauty channels, including mass retail, specialty beauty, Amazon, Tik Tok Shop, DTC, and international markets.

Translate market insights into actionable product concepts and development opportunities.
2. Product Concept & Strategy Development Develop compelling new product concepts aligned with brand positioning, target consumers, and business objectives.

Clearly define the product's target consumer, consumer need, key benefit, differentiation, and reason to believe.

Establish product positioning, USP, POD/POP, key claims, ingredient stories, and competitive references.

Develop product assortment recommendations, including SKU architecture, shades, sizes, formats, and pricing.

Ensure each new product has a clear competitive advantage and commercial rationale before development begins.
3. Business Case & Sales Forecast Prepare an initial business assessment for new product concepts, including:

Target retail price

Estimated COGSGross margin

Competitive pricing

Initial sales forecast

Estimated launch volume

Partner with Brand, Sales, Finance, and other stakeholders to validate the commercial potential of new products.

Update forecasts and financial assumptions as product specifications and launch plans become finalized.

Balance product innovation with cost, margin, inventory risk, and overall business potential.
4. Formula & Product Development Manage product development from concept through final formula approval.

Partner closely with internal R&D, OEM/ODM manufacturers, and suppliers to develop innovative and differentiated formulas.

Prepare clear product briefs outlining desired texture, performance, ingredients, claims, benchmarks, and target costs.

Evaluate prototypes and provide structured feedback throughout development.

Ensure final products meet agreed performance, quality, cost, regulatory, and consumer expectations.

Identify opportunities to leverage proprietary ingredients, formulation technologies, delivery systems, or other product innovations.
5. Packaging & Product Experience Collaborate with Packaging, Design, Brand, and suppliers to develop packaging that supports product positioning and consumer experience.

Evaluate packaging functionality, aesthetics, usability, cost, and compatibility with the formula.

Provide clear product information and development requirements for artwork, packaging, displays, and other product-related assets.

Ensure the final product experience is consistent with the approved concept and brand positioning.
6. Product Claims & Communication Develop clear and compelling product stories that translate technical product benefits into consumer-relevant language.

Work with R&D, Regulatory, Brand, and Marketing teams to validate product claims and supporting evidence.

Provide key product information for marketing materials, e-commerce content, sales presentations, training materials, and retailer presentations.

Ensure product messaging accurately communicates the product's key benefits and differentiation.
7. E-Commerce & Digital Product Readiness Evaluate product concepts from both offline retail and e-commerce perspectives.

Consider searchability, social-media appeal, visual demonstration, before/after potential, review generation, and creator/influencer suitability during product development.

Identify potential hero products that can drive online discovery and brand awareness.

Collaborate with E-commerce and Marketing teams to ensure products are optimized for Amazon, Tik Tok Shop, DTC, and other digital channels.

Consider online pricing, bundles, sets, exclusive configurations, and promotional opportunities when appropriate.
8. Cross-Functional Project Management Serve as the primary product development owner throughout the NPD process.

Coordinate closely with R&D, Brand, Marketing/BX, Design, Packaging, Regulatory, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Sales, and E-commerce teams.

Establish and manage development timelines,…