Product Development Assistant

About the Company

Karuna Skin LLC is based in Los Angeles, California and oversees two skincare brands: Karuna Skin and Avatara. Karuna has built its reputation over more than ten years, beginning with the launch of the first U.S. sheet mask brand in 2009 and later expanding through an exclusive partnership with Whole Foods Market. Avatara, introduced in 2017, was developed to offer accessible, playful skincare that is effective without requiring a major time investment. The brands are sold across major retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods, and are also widely available online.

The company offers a collaborative, energetic office environment with an open layout that encourages idea sharing, communication, and teamwork. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and additional coverage.

Role Overview

This position supports product development and operations across sampling, packaging, sourcing, artwork coordination, vendor communication, and collaboration with multiple internal teams. The role requires a highly organized, hands-on professional who communicates clearly, works with urgency, and contributes to process, quality, and efficiency improvements.

It is a strong fit for someone who wants exposure to the full new product development process and the chance to help launch new products across two fast-growing skincare brands while working closely with cross-functional leaders.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a communication bridge between stakeholders and make sure updates are delivered promptly.
• Build, maintain, and organize the product specification library.
• Route packaging for review and ensure approvals are completed by the right stakeholders.
• Work with product development to identify packaging components and secure accurate cost and timing estimates from suppliers.
• Support the full product journey from early concept through final ordering, including sample sourcing and vendor coordination.
• Track sample progress, turnaround times, and related deadlines with precision.
• Serve as a central contact for Creative, Marketing, Operations, Product Development, and outside vendors by sharing clear status updates that keep projects moving.
• Update shared trackers and dashboards, such as sample logs, packaging approval trackers, and vendor lead-time reports, so all teams have current visibility.
• Keep product submissions well organized and properly logged.
• Help manage sample requests for sales and marketing and support timely distribution.
• Assist product development in reviewing product color to ensure it aligns with the brand’s creative direction.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• 0 to 2 years of experience in beauty or consumer packaged goods is preferred; exposure to new product development or stage-gate processes is a plus.
• A collaborative, team-first approach with willingness to be very hands-on across levels and functions.
• The ability to juggle competing priorities and keep multiple projects moving on schedule.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with active listening and strong interpersonal ability.
• Comfort working with people at every level of the organization, including executives and individual contributors.
• A self-directed, entrepreneurial mindset with a strong action orientation and a practical approach to prioritization and escalation.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, agility, and self-motivation.
• Awareness of packaging trends, including sustainability and innovation.
• A solutions-focused mindset with the ability to identify issues early and recommend practical fixes.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with several concurrent projects.
• Consistent accuracy and thoroughness in day-to-day work.

Compensation

The anticipated annual salary for this role is between $45,000 and $55,000. Actual compensation will depend on the candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite role in Los Angeles, CA.