Clarity Recruiting
Title : Senior Designer/Product Development Lead
Location : New York, NY / hybrid
Scroll down for a complete overview of what this job will require Are you the right candidate for this opportunity
About the Company: Our client, a company that a leading designer & manufacturer of trend-right, scent-driven bath & body products is looking for a Senior Designer/Product Development Lead to join their team. This role is a new addition to the firm. The ideal candidate has 8–12+ years in product development, design, or merchandising for beauty, personal care. Experience in licensed consumer products is also a requirement.
Comp: $95k -$150k DOE
Role Summary: We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic, and design-savvy Senior Design and Product Development Lead to drive end-to-end creation of bath, body, skincare, beauty, and gifting products. This role will own the vision, execution, and licensor alignment for high-profile launches across both our house brands and licensed collaborations.
Key Responsibilities Product Development Strategy Lead the end-to-end conceptualization of innovative, brand-right bath, body, beauty, skincare, and gifting products—from initial idea to final spec. Define and execute seasonal and long-term product development roadmaps that align with brand strategy and licensing guidelines. Identify and develop white space opportunities, leveraging deep insight into global beauty trends, consumer behavior, ingredients, packaging formats, and sensorial experiences. Conduct trend research and competitive analysis to inform compelling, on-trend product concepts to differentiate from existing in store product offerings. Collaborate closely with overseas suppliers, manufacturers and fragrances houses to source innovative components, packaging solutions, and formulations that meet cost, quality, and timing targets. Work closely with Senior Director of Sales and key buyers to support retailer specific needs, requirements, target pricing and margin requirements are met. Concept & Design Direction Lead the creation of mood boards, concept decks, and design briefs for licensed collections. Ensure cohesive storytelling across product, packaging, and marketing assets. Oversee packaging design development to align with license requirements and brand positioning. Skilled in creating clear, production-ready artwork and design files that suppliers can accurately execute. Expert-level proficiency in developing detailed CAD drawings, dielines, and packaging specifications for complex, multi-component beauty and gifting products. Track record of managing CAD workflows for multiple licensed programs simultaneously while meeting licensor approval requirements and tight timelines. Licensor & Brand Management Serve as the primary product development liaison with licensors, ensuring all designs meet approval guidelines. Interpret and uphold licensor brand guidelines, translating them into clear, actionable products and packaging briefs that maintain authenticity and brand integrity. Work closely with the Sales Lead to customize licensed assortments and presentations for key retail partners, aligning product plans with both licensor and retailer expectations. Manage submission timelines and revisions for all licensed properties. Ensure all licensed products meet legal and contractual requirements, including any mandated quality standards, safety testing, or packaging disclosures. Maintain meticulous records of all communications, submissions, approvals, and licensor assets to support transparency and operational excellence. Cross-functional Collaboration Partner with sourcing, production, and QA teams to ensure feasibility of formulas, packaging, and manufacturing. Work closely with sales teams to customize product concepts for retailer pitches and exclusive programs. Collaborate with owned brand and private label PD team members and designers to Supplier Management Collaborate with formulation labs and packaging vendors to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and compliant products. Review and approve pre-production samples, 3D molds, formulation samples, and production samples. Project Management Manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting all critical milestones and timelines. Maintain clear documentation of all stages from concept through production. Team Leadership Mentor junior product developers/designers. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and operational excellence.
Qualifications 8–12+ years in product development, design, or merchandising for beauty, personal care, or licensed consumer products. Proven experience developing bath, body, skincare and beauty gift products from concept to shelf. Deep understanding of beauty packaging, formulation briefs, and manufacturing processes. Strong design sensibility with the ability to translate brand/licensor guidelines into compelling, on-trend products. Excellent project management and organizational skills. Confident communicator, skilled at presenting concepts to internal teams, licensors, and retail partners. Experience working with licensed brands and navigating approvals. Proficient in design and project management software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Monday, Asana, Airtable).
Preferred Traits Passion for beauty and consumer trends. Creative thinker with strong commercial awareness. Collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Detail-oriented without losing sight of the big picture.
What We Offer Opportunity to work on high-profile licensed brands and collaborations A creative, entrepreneurial environment with room for your ideas to shine. Collaborative culture with a shared passion for design, innovation, and quality. Competitive compensation and benefits.
Scroll down for a complete overview of what this job will require Are you the right candidate for this opportunity
About the Company: Our client, a company that a leading designer & manufacturer of trend-right, scent-driven bath & body products is looking for a Senior Designer/Product Development Lead to join their team. This role is a new addition to the firm. The ideal candidate has 8–12+ years in product development, design, or merchandising for beauty, personal care. Experience in licensed consumer products is also a requirement.
Comp: $95k -$150k DOE
Role Summary: We’re looking for a dynamic, strategic, and design-savvy Senior Design and Product Development Lead to drive end-to-end creation of bath, body, skincare, beauty, and gifting products. This role will own the vision, execution, and licensor alignment for high-profile launches across both our house brands and licensed collaborations.
Key Responsibilities Product Development Strategy Lead the end-to-end conceptualization of innovative, brand-right bath, body, beauty, skincare, and gifting products—from initial idea to final spec. Define and execute seasonal and long-term product development roadmaps that align with brand strategy and licensing guidelines. Identify and develop white space opportunities, leveraging deep insight into global beauty trends, consumer behavior, ingredients, packaging formats, and sensorial experiences. Conduct trend research and competitive analysis to inform compelling, on-trend product concepts to differentiate from existing in store product offerings. Collaborate closely with overseas suppliers, manufacturers and fragrances houses to source innovative components, packaging solutions, and formulations that meet cost, quality, and timing targets. Work closely with Senior Director of Sales and key buyers to support retailer specific needs, requirements, target pricing and margin requirements are met. Concept & Design Direction Lead the creation of mood boards, concept decks, and design briefs for licensed collections. Ensure cohesive storytelling across product, packaging, and marketing assets. Oversee packaging design development to align with license requirements and brand positioning. Skilled in creating clear, production-ready artwork and design files that suppliers can accurately execute. Expert-level proficiency in developing detailed CAD drawings, dielines, and packaging specifications for complex, multi-component beauty and gifting products. Track record of managing CAD workflows for multiple licensed programs simultaneously while meeting licensor approval requirements and tight timelines. Licensor & Brand Management Serve as the primary product development liaison with licensors, ensuring all designs meet approval guidelines. Interpret and uphold licensor brand guidelines, translating them into clear, actionable products and packaging briefs that maintain authenticity and brand integrity. Work closely with the Sales Lead to customize licensed assortments and presentations for key retail partners, aligning product plans with both licensor and retailer expectations. Manage submission timelines and revisions for all licensed properties. Ensure all licensed products meet legal and contractual requirements, including any mandated quality standards, safety testing, or packaging disclosures. Maintain meticulous records of all communications, submissions, approvals, and licensor assets to support transparency and operational excellence. Cross-functional Collaboration Partner with sourcing, production, and QA teams to ensure feasibility of formulas, packaging, and manufacturing. Work closely with sales teams to customize product concepts for retailer pitches and exclusive programs. Collaborate with owned brand and private label PD team members and designers to Supplier Management Collaborate with formulation labs and packaging vendors to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and compliant products. Review and approve pre-production samples, 3D molds, formulation samples, and production samples. Project Management Manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting all critical milestones and timelines. Maintain clear documentation of all stages from concept through production. Team Leadership Mentor junior product developers/designers. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and operational excellence.
Qualifications 8–12+ years in product development, design, or merchandising for beauty, personal care, or licensed consumer products. Proven experience developing bath, body, skincare and beauty gift products from concept to shelf. Deep understanding of beauty packaging, formulation briefs, and manufacturing processes. Strong design sensibility with the ability to translate brand/licensor guidelines into compelling, on-trend products. Excellent project management and organizational skills. Confident communicator, skilled at presenting concepts to internal teams, licensors, and retail partners. Experience working with licensed brands and navigating approvals. Proficient in design and project management software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Monday, Asana, Airtable).
Preferred Traits Passion for beauty and consumer trends. Creative thinker with strong commercial awareness. Collaborative team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Detail-oriented without losing sight of the big picture.
What We Offer Opportunity to work on high-profile licensed brands and collaborations A creative, entrepreneurial environment with room for your ideas to shine. Collaborative culture with a shared passion for design, innovation, and quality. Competitive compensation and benefits.