Director of Product Development

Do you thrive on project management, balancing multiple priorities, executing with strong attention to details, and taking initiative while following a plan? Are you passionate about developing products, perfecting formulations, and elevating the consumer experience? Our team is fun, fast-paced, detail-oriented, and accountable to serving our clients.

Our fast-growing personal care custom development team is seeking a Director of Product Development. As an expert formulation, packaging, and brand concept design agency, we create and deliver bespoke in-room, retail, and spa collections for discerning hotels and their guests. 

LATHER Custom, a pioneer in custom travel wellness, specializes in natural hair and body products, offering aromatherapy-based personal care to guests of some of the country’s most prestigious hotels and resorts. As a specialized division within LATHER, Inc., our focus is on developing tailored, bespoke products. LATHER, a woman-owned company, was recently selected as Forbes Travel Guide’s Official Bath and Body Provider. 

Join our dynamic, supportive team, which is committed to providing the highest levels of product quality and client service in hospitality. At LATHER Custom, our client experience is built on a solid foundation of talented, positive, and motivated individuals who contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, creativity, and exceptional service. 

As the Director of Product Development, you will report to the President and work closely with the Creative Director, Sales, Client Service, and Operations, while managing the Product Development team in Pasadena, California.  

This position will generally be responsible for understanding the markets and trends (hospitality, personal care, product design), developing new product ideas, sourcing products and components from existing and new supplier partners, and contributing to the overall growth and development of the company. 

In this role, you will be charged with managing the design and development of new hotel bath amenity and retail products as well as enhancements to existing collections. You will take on key responsibilities such as: 

• Creating and managing timelines to ensure timely development 

 

• Intentionally developing each element of custom products  

 

• Reviewing production and development samples to ensure quality 

 

• Analyzing pricing, designing to a budget, and negotiating costs 

 

• Researching ingredients and developing brand stories 

Skills and Experience: 

• Project management experience including strong planning and organizational skills (at least 5 years similar experience) 

 

• Small team management (at least 2 years similar experience) 

 

• Familiarity and knowledge of personal care ingredients, formulations, and regulatory compliance 

 

• Self-starting, highly motivated, and able to work well independently as well as in a team environment 

 

• Able to handle multiple projects under tight deadlines 

 

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills 

 

• Aesthetic sensibilities and creativity 

 

• Technical aptitude to thoroughly understand our offerings, processes, and capabilities, including packaging options and ingredients 

 

• Ability to represent the company in a professional, positive manner 

 

• Accountable, positive, and resourceful 

 

• Enthusiasm and a passion for the personal care and travel/hospitality industries 

 

Knowledge: 

 

• Bachelor’s degree is required 

 

• Proficient in MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint 

Location and Schedule: 

• Hybrid position, in-office (Pasadena, CA) 3 days per week with flexibility to work from home 2 days per week 

 

Please see lathercustom.com for additional information about our company. 

To apply, please provide a resume and a cover letter including the word “accountable”, along with your desired salary. Please also take this brief work style survey: https://go.cultureindex.com/p/Ixaa3QX6pPSbbZu 

 

Thank you! 

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status. 

 

LATHER