Assistant NPD Manager

About KAYALI

KAYALI, launched in 2018 by beauty entrepreneur and fragrance enthusiast Mona Kattan, is a modern fragrance house shaped by her Middle Eastern roots and the art of scent layering. The brand focuses on creating memorable, long-lasting, cruelty-free perfumes using carefully selected ingredients and collaborations with leading perfumers. Every fragrance is designed as a distinctive story, presented in refined jeweled bottles.

Mission

KAYALI’s purpose is to help people feel confident and valued while bringing together a worldwide community of fragrance lovers through innovative luxury scents, education, and Middle Eastern fragrance traditions.

Role Overview

The Assistant NPD Manager will join the Supply Chain team and coordinate new product development projects from early concept through shipment. This role does not create the product itself; instead, it manages the project work, launch activities, timing, and cross-functional coordination needed to bring new products to market quickly, on time, in full, and at the expected quality and KPI levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the project management of NPD launches from idea stage to go-live, making sure schedules, quantities, and performance targets are met.
• Partner with functions involved in launches, including Supply Chain, Product Development, Packaging, Quality, Regulatory, Purchasing, Finance, Regional Markets, S&OP, and Logistics.
• Support the creation of the brand’s 24-month launch calendar with brand leadership.
• Prepare launch feasibility inputs and scenario plans using project management tools suited to the product’s complexity and timing needs.
• Create detailed launch timelines with milestone tracking and keep them updated as the project evolves, supplier feedback comes in, or launch dates shift.
• Run project meetings, track actions across teams, and circulate agendas and summaries to keep launches moving.
• Look for ways to shorten development timelines while still protecting service requirements and managing realistic risks.
• Coordinate with suppliers and contract manufacturers to keep development on schedule and ensure deliveries meet timing and quality expectations.
• Spot risks related to development, production, and shipment early, then drive practical solutions.
• Build fallback plans and carry out risk-reduction actions when needed.
• Ensure project details such as specifications, BOMs, quantities, and shipping plans are shared promptly and maintained accurately to company standards.
• Communicate risks and corrective actions clearly, using action plans, escalation alerts, and other tools to keep leadership informed.
• Manage launch forecasting with Regional Markets and Demand Planning, and place orders for launch components and finished goods.
• Track KPIs used to measure launch management effectiveness and overall NPD performance, and help improve them over time.

Requirements

• 4 to 5 years of experience in NPD project management, preferably in the beauty sector, along with a strong understanding of product development and supply chain terminology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Excellent organization and planning abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities carefully and consistently.
• Hands-on experience with project management software such as Asana or Microsoft Project Plan to build and manage complex schedules.
• Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes.

Benefits

• Premium medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Find Your Magic Days.
• Volunteer Day.
• Birthday leave.
• Egg freezing support.
• Employee discounts across all KAYALI products.
• Quarterly product gifting.

Equal Opportunity

KAYALI promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and is committed to equal employment opportunity without discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, medical condition, disability, or veteran status. Reasonable accommodations can be requested during the application or interview process.