Product Development Director

Location: New York Metro Area (Hybrid)
Reports To: President

Role Overview

The Product Development Director will lead HealthyBabys innovation pipeline translating the Founders direction consumer insights scientific research and the brands mission into breakthrough babycare products. This role requires expertise in babycare where technical knowledge regulatory rigor and product safety are paramount. The Director will manage the product development lifecycle from concept through commercialization while continuously improving HealthyBabys existing portfolio to meet the highest standards of safety efficacy and transparency.

Key Responsibilities

• Innovation Pipeline & Strategy
  • Alongside Founder define and manage the long-term innovation roadmap across current and future babycare categories.
  • Demonstrate curiosity and forward-thinking vision by identifying emerging trends breakthrough technologies and evolving parent needs bringing future ideas to life not just whats possible today.
  • Explore new category opportunities that align with HealthyBabys mission and have high consumer relevance.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement ensuring that HealthyBabys existing product portfolio becomes stronger safer and more effective every day.
    
• Product Development Lifecycle
  • Lead development of new products from concept feasibility through launch.
  • Build timelines for accurate project tracking and keep the leadership team abreast of any opportunities or challenges.
  • Partner cross-functionally with Marketing Finance Operations & Supply Chain to ensure alignment on priorities budgets and launch execution.
  • Oversee formulation materials selection prototyping and safety testing to ensure technical superiority and consumer trust.
  • Meet COGs targets for each development project delivering creative alternatives when necessary
    
• Supplier & Manufacturing Partnerships
  • Leverage HealthyBabys existing partnerships with trusted suppliers and manufacturers to accelerate innovation and ensure continuity of quality.
  • Forge new relationships with manufacturers R&D labs and raw material suppliers where needed to bring pipeline priorities to life.
  • Identify best-in-class partners with category-specific expertise who can support HealthyBabys product goals.
    
• Regulatory Safety & Quality
  • Oversee compliance with regulatory requirements and category-specific standards (EWG etc.)
  • Lead rigorous safety testing and claims validation to ensure consumer trust.
  • Partner with scientific and medical advisors where relevant.
    
• Commercialization & Launch Support
  • Collaborate with Product Marketing on positioning packaging and storytelling that highlights technical differentiators.
  • Work with Marketing and Sales to ensure readiness for retail distribution category reviews and retailer requirements.
  • Support cross-functional launch teams to deliver on time and on budget.
    
• Team Leadership
  • Help to recruit to a focused detail-oriented Product Development team to support babycare development
  • Manage and mentor the Project Development team ensuring day-to-day execution aligns with innovation priorities.
  • Build an innovation culture rooted in curiosity science creativity and continuous improvement.
    

Qualifications & Skills

• 12 years of experience in innovation R&D or product development within babycare or adjacent regulated categories.
• Proven track record of bringing technical products from concept through successful commercialization.
• Knowledge of safety regulatory and quality requirements in babycare.
• Track record of leveraging and expanding supplier/manufacturer partnerships.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with passion for shaping new categories and innovating beyond todays norms.
• Builder who thrives on curiosity continuous improvement and creating the future of the category.