Manager NPD (Skincare & Haircare)

MARS Cosmetics; Delhi; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

MARS Cosmetics in New Delhi is seeking a Manager NPD (Skincare & Haircare) to own end-to-end product development from concept to launch, driving formulation, packaging, claims, costing, timelines, and cross-functional execution with internal teams and 3P manufacturers.

You will lead the NPD pipeline across skincare and haircare categories, manage formulation development, packaging, quality, regulatory readiness in India, and benchmark trends to turn insights into actionable specs.

Qualifications

• 4–8 years in skincare and/or haircare NPD with multiple launches.
• Strong formulation and packaging understanding for emulsions, gels, serums, and haircare.
• Experience running vendor cycles with Indian/China/SEA partners, incl. iteration, negotiation, scale-up.
• Strong project management with BOM, COGS, MOQ, margin targets, and launch scorecards.
• High ownership, fast execution, and cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead the NPD pipeline across skincare and haircare, defining briefs and launch plans.
• Manage formulation development with 3P labs/OEMs through stability and scale-up.
• Translate consumer problems into product targets (hydration, anti-hairfall, etc.).
• Drive packaging development: components, testing, artwork, vendor coordination.
• Own product quality, sensorial targets, fragrance direction, and QA handover.
• Build and control timelines using stage-gates, manage risks and alignment.
• Own product costing (COGS/BOM): target pricing and margin guardrails.
• Coordinate regulatory readiness for India incl labeling/claims with RA/QA.
• Benchmark competitors and trends to specs.

Skills

NPD leadership skincare

NPD leadership haircare

Vendor management

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Job Title: Manager NPD (Skincare & Haircare)

Location: New Delhi, India

Company: MARS Cosmetics

About MARS Cosmetics:

MARS Cosmetics is a globally recognized beauty brand that thrives on innovation, diversity, and empowering individuals through high-quality beauty solutions. Headquartered in New Delhi, MARS Cosmetics is committed to offering groundbreaking products that meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers worldwide.

Role Summary

Own end-to-end skincare and 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 the NPD pipeline across skincare (serums, gels, emulsions) and haircare (shampoos, conditioners, masks, oils, scalp treatments, styling): identify opportunities, build briefs, define hero claims/USPs, and execute launch plans.
2. Manage formulation development with 3P labs/OEMs, from prototypes and performance benchmarks through stability, finalization, and scale-up.
3. Translate consumer problems into measurable product targets (e.g., hydration, brightening, anti-hairfall, anti-dandruff, frizz control, scalp oil control).
4. Drive packaging development: component selection (pumps, droppers, flip-tops), compatibility and leakage/transport testing, artwork readiness, and vendor coordination.
5. Own product quality and performance: sensorial targets (texture, foam, slip, rinse feel), fragrance direction, efficacy and claims substantiation inputs, safety, and QA handover.
6. Build and control timelines using stage-gates; manage risks, iterations, and stakeholder alignment.
7. Own product costing (COGS/BOM): target pricing, value engineering, MOQ planning, and margin guardrails.
8. Coordinate regulatory readiness for India, including labeling/claims compliance and documentation with RA/QA partners.
9. Benchmark competitors and global trends (actives, delivery systems, textures, formats) and convert them into actionable specs.

Requirements

1. 4–8 years in skincare and/or haircare NPD (brand side or OEM/ODM), with multiple launches shipped.
2. Strong formulation and packaging understanding: emulsions/gels/serums for skincare; surfactant systems, conditioning polymers, silicones, and oils for haircare; compatibility and stability basics.
3. Experience running vendor cycles with Indian/China/SEA partners, including iteration discipline, negotiation, and scale-up execution.
4. Strong project management; comfortable with BOM, COGS, MOQ, margin targets, and launch scorecards.
5. High ownership, fast execution, and strong cross-functional communication.