Manager, Product Development - Beauty (12 Month Contract)

at  Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmaprix

Referred applicants should not apply directly to this role.
All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague.
Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country’s largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.
At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting directly to the Senior Director, Corporate Brands, the incumbent identifies new concepts, develops new product formulations and innovative products, evaluates sensory and product quality attributes, reviews specifications and ensures Quo Beauty and Beauty Control Brand products meet the quality and product attributes consistent to SDM and Regulatory requirements. Development is focused on supporting strategic category objectives and leading consumer driven innovation into the market.

SKILLS:

This position requires a demonstrated level of initiative and judgment in order to organize and prioritize tasks, workload and projects. Courtesy, tact and diplomacy are required in dealing with colleagues in every day working relationships.

• Requires an ability to apply concepts and theories to improve functions or units.
• Manages a function or unit by focusing on achievement of objectives.
• Requires specialized interpersonal skills to resolve situations with colleagues where there may be some level of conflict, stress or uncertainty.
• Provides solutions by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required.
• Utilizes decision making skills to achieve specific organizational objectives with consideration given to their impact on other work groups.
• Adaptable to set and prioritize work with varying exceptions. Able to work with diverse personalities and styles.
• Advanced understanding and knowledge of product formulations, manufacturing, packaging and testing applications. Solid working knowledge of applicable government regulations.
• Computer skills to produce effective reports, documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
• Communicates with clarity, verbally and in one on one or group situations, or over the telephone.
• Communicates well in writing by composing clear documents; facility with editing and/or proof-reading is required.

Education & Job Knowledge:
Post secondary education equivalent to a university degree in Science, Biology or equivalent with knowledge of cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical product development.

EXPERIENCE:

Greater than five years of product development or equivalent experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES OR REGISTRATION:

No specific certificates, licences or registrations are required for this position
Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.
If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.
We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Researches, recommends and executes the introduction of new innovative concepts, ingredients or packaging designs to develop new and existing Corporate Brands products via input into RFP documents and new product briefs.
• Plans, coordinates and conducts all sensory, physical, and chemical evaluations of potential new products, as well as RFP initiatives to ensure all proposed products meet the desired attributes and quality standards consistent to market, corporate brand and regulatory needs/requirements.
• Writes and participates in approving the instructional details and product copy for labels, cartons and instructional directions for Corporate Brands products prior to production to ensure marketing attributes, product information, and regulatory requirements are accurate.
• Manages product change control forms submitted by vendors for existing Corporate Brand products to identify necessary and/or recommended changes and to manage the process to execution.
• Connects new vendors with Quality Assurance Specialists to ensure that factory audits and facility assessments get submitted to QA for review and approval in order to meet SDM factory requirements. For product development projects, initiates Quality Management Plan and facilitates completion with QA and Intertek.
• Researches, recommends and implements improvements to the attributes, quality, cost competitiveness, and safety of existing Corporate Brand products to continually improve Corporate Brand products.
• Works with vendors and internal stakeholders through all stages of the CB development process to ensure product development targets are being met and provide clear directive feedback to vendor in timely manner to ensure projects remain on track.
• Attend plant trials (as required) to ensure vendors are capable of producing consistent product that meet the process and product standards and specification targets.
• Attend productions (as required) to ensure product quality, product consistency, spec compliance and determine on-going acceptability of existing products.
• Responsible for reviewing and working with the legal team and translation to review to approve Control Brand product artwork, names, copy, claims and specifications for all new products and acting as key liaison with the enterprise on product and packaging sustainability initiatives.
• Maintain brand and product integrity by assisting in the annual product testing process and recommending high profile products to be tested annually via 3rd party laboratory to ensure consistency to the approved product specifications.
• Review product assortment portfolio on an ongoing basis via market comp shop to ensure relevance and best quality compared to marketplace and competitors. As required take steps to suggest the optimization of the portfolio in order to enhance the existing offering and increase product/category performance.
• As CB beauty team lead, participate via feedback and input into investigations and inquiries from
• incident management and marketing call center customer complaints in order to resolve issues in a
• timely manner.
• Responsible for the leading and preparing for the Quarterly Market Strategy and Quarterly Product Plan meetings highlighting global trends, competitive landscape, product launches, key ingredients and sustainability opportunities. Remain up to date on market trends, industry news/issues and product safety initiatives in all relevant categories.
• Regularly attend relevant trade shows and courses to continuously develop and remain current on latest market trends and technology in order to build category knowledge and address potential concept challenges.

This position requires a demonstrated level of initiative and judgment in order to organize and prioritize tasks, workload and projects. Courtesy, tact and diplomacy are required in dealing with colleagues in every day working relationships.

• Requires an ability to apply concepts and theories to improve functions or units.
• Manages a function or unit by focusing on achievement of objectives.
• Requires specialized interpersonal skills to resolve situations with colleagues where there may be some level of conflict, stress or uncertainty.
• Provides solutions by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required.
• Utilizes decision making skills to achieve specific organizational objectives with consideration given to their impact on other work groups.
• Adaptable to set and prioritize work with varying exceptions. Able to work with diverse personalities and styles.
• Advanced understanding and knowledge of product formulations, manufacturing, packaging and testing applications. Solid working knowledge of applicable government regulations.
• Computer skills to produce effective reports, documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
• Communicates with clarity, verbally and in one on one or group situations, or over the telephone.
• Communicates well in writing by composing clear documents; facility with editing and/or proof-reading is required