NPD Innovation Manager

Jivaro; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jivaro in Sydney seeks a Product Development and Innovation Manager to lead owned-brand and private-label product development from concept to retail launch. You will manage suppliers across Asia, set commercial models, and ensure compliance and quality for a growing range of personal care, beauty, fragrance and household products.

The role requires a strong background in FMCG product development, packaging and branding, with experience in major firms or retailers.

Qualifications

• 5–10+ years in product development (NPD) within FMCG/consumer products.
• Background in personal care, beauty, fragrance, household cleaning or private label.
• Experience with major FMCG firms or retailers; exposure to Reckitt, Unilever, P&G, Colgate-Palmolive is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging trends and write supplier briefs, running multiple NPD projects from concept to launch.
• Find and assess manufacturers, mainly in China/Asia, reviewing samples, MOQs, lead times and pricing.
• Set the commercial model from target retail price, including wholesale, landed cost, factory cost, packaging, retailer margin and company margin.
• Coordinate AICIS requirements, ingredient reviews, product claims, SDS, labeling and batch quality.
• Collaborate with design and marketing on packaging, range architecture and retail-ready presentations.
• Understand differences across Australian mass-market channels and adapt overseas trends to local pricing.

Skills

NPD leadership

FMCG experience

Personal care knowledge

Supplier management

Costing & profitability

Regulatory awareness

Branding & packaging

Retail channel understanding

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

Job description

Product Development and Innovation Manager

Sydney, NSW | Full-time

About the business

The client is an established Australian importer, wholesaler and product development business. It supplies major retailers in pharmacy, discount variety, supermarket, convenience and other channels. It is putting more focus on owned brands, exclusive products and private-label ranges, and wants to substantially grow the share of revenue that comes from them.

Role purpose

The role builds and commercialises owned-brand, exclusive and private-label products, from first concept through to retail launch. Categories include personal care, beauty, fragrance, household cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, first aid, toys and related consumer products.

Key responsibilities

• Product development and innovation: identify emerging trends, write detailed supplier briefs and run several NPD projects at once from concept to launch.
• Supplier and manufacturing management: find and assess manufacturers, mainly in China and Asia. This includes reviewing samples, minimum order quantities, lead times and pricing, and guiding suppliers through development rounds until products meet the brief. Experience with factory visits or sourcing fairs is a plus.
• Commercial and costing: work backwards from a target retail price to set the commercial model. This covers wholesale price, landed cost, factory cost, packaging cost, retailer margin and company margin.
• Compliance and quality: coordinate AICIS requirements, ingredient reviews, product claims, safety data sheets, labelling, testing and batch quality. The person doesn’t need to be the regulatory expert, but must manage the process and know when to bring in specialist support.
• Packaging and brand development: work with design and marketing on brand concepts, range architecture, packaging, claims and retail-ready presentations.
• Retail and consumer understanding: know how developing products differs across Australian mass-market channels, and adapt overseas trends for the local market at the right price point.

Ideal background

• Around 5 to 10 or more years in product development (NPD) within FMCG or consumer products
• Background in personal care and beauty, fragrance, household cleaning, consumer healthcare, private label or mass-market goods
• Experience at a major FMCG company, retailer, importer or private-label supplier is relevant. Exposure to businesses such as Reckitt, Unilever, P&G, Henkel, Colgate-Palmolive, McPherson’s or Heritage Brands is attractive but not essential.