Haircare Product Development Manager

Job Title: NPD Manager – Haircare

Company: MARS Cosmetics

Location: Netaji Subhash Place (NSP), Delhi (On-site)

Role summary

Own end-to-end haircare product development from concept to launch—driving formulation, packaging, claims, costing, timelines, and cross-functional execution with internal teams and 3P manufacturers.

Key responsibilities

1. Lead haircare NPD pipeline: define winning concepts, briefs, claims/USPs, and launch plans across shampoos, conditioners, masks, serums, oils, scalp treatments, styling, etc.
2. Manage formulation development with 3P labs/OEMs: prototype development, performance benchmarks, stability, finalization, and scale-up.
3. Translate consumer problems into measurable targets (e.G., anti-hairfall, anti-dandruff, repair, frizz control, volume, scalp oil control, curl care).
4. Drive packaging development: component selection (pumps, droppers, flip-tops), compatibility, leakage/transport robustness, artwork readiness, vendor coordination.
5. Own performance and quality: sensorial targets (foam, slip, rinse feel), efficacy alignment, fragrance direction, and QA handover.
6. Own costing (COGS/BOM): target pricing, value engineering, MOQ planning, and margin guardrails.
7. Coordinate regulatory readiness for India: compliant claims/labels, documentation with RA/QA partners, safety and required testing support.
8. Benchmark competitors and global trends (actives, delivery systems, sensorials, formats) and convert into clear specs.

Requirements

1. 4–8 years in haircare NPD (brand side or OEM/ODM), with multiple launches shipped.
2. Strong understanding of surfactant systems + conditioning polymers/silicones/oils (shampoo/conditioner/scalp formats).
3. Comfortable running vendor cycles: iteration discipline, timelines, negotiation, and scale-up execution.
4. Strong project management; confident with BOM/COGS/MOQ and margin targets.
5. High ownership, speed, and cross-functional collaboration.

Nice to have

1. Experience in scalp serums/anti-dandruff/anti-hairfall categories; exposure to clinical-style testing or salon-grade benchmarks.
2. Familiarity with packaging performance testing (leak, pump output, viscosity fit, consumer usability).

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