Product Development Fragrance Director - Global Jo Malone London (Maternity Cover)

Description

POSTION SUMMARY

Lead Global Product Development for Jo Malone London Fragrance and Bath & Body, partnering with the VP Global Product Development and senior cross-functional leadership to translate Brand and category strategies into compelling, innovative and commercially successful product pipelines on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract. Oversee the portfolio from concept through launch, providing strategic and creative leadership across NPL, franchise development, reformulations and product improvements. Drive excellence in fragrance creation, formulation, product performance, quality, speed to market and ways of working, while building capability and accountability within the Product Development team. 

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Strategy & Portfolio Leadership: Lead the global Product Development strategy for Fragrance and Bath & Body; translate Brand priorities and consumer opportunities into a clear development agenda; oversee portfolio priorities, resources, risks and decision points.

Fragrance & Bath & Body Leadership: Direct fragrance creation and olfactive development to protect and evolve the JML signature; lead Bath & Body innovation across concepts, formats, ingredients, sensoriality and performance; provide senior technical and creative judgement.

Innovation & External Capability: Shape a forward-looking innovation pipeline; identify emerging ingredients, technologies, formats and consumer trends; build strategic partnerships with R&D, fragrance houses, suppliers and external experts to access best-in-class capabilities.

Reformulations & Product Continuity: Co-lead the Global Fragrance Reformulation Group (FRG) and actively manage reformulation projects across Fine Fragrance and Bath & Body. Project-manage development with fragrance houses and R&D partners; coordinate formula briefs, evaluation and approvals; oversee timelines, actions and issue resolution; and ensure regulatory, sourcing, quality, performance and Brand equity requirements are met.

Execution, Quality & Compliance: Accountable for delivery of the NPL portfolio to agreed quality, timing and commercial objectives; establish clear milestones and escalation pathways; partner with R&D, QA, Regulatory and Supply Chain on product standards, testing, specifications and compliance.

Cross-functional & People Leadership: Act as senior Product Development partner to Marketing, Creative, R&D, Packaging, Supply Chain, Procurement, QA, Regulatory and regional teams; lead, coach and develop the Fragrance and Bath & Body PD team, delegating ownership while retaining strategic oversight.

DECISION MAKING, ACCOUNTABILITY & LEADERSHIP

• Take independent decisions within agreed Brand and Product Development strategy on portfolio priorities, development direction, resource allocation, supplier engagement, risk management and escalation.
• Lead resolution of complex creative, technical, quality, regulatory, cost and timing issues, bringing clear recommendations to the VP and senior leadership when business, financial or launch risk is material.
• Create clarity of accountability across the team and wider development network, ensuring the function operates through robust processes, strong partnerships and consistent standards rather than reliance on individual project management.
• Build team capability and succession through coaching, delegation, performance management and talent development.

Qualifications

JOB REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience with significant experience in global Product Development, preferably in prestige/luxury fragrance and personal care.
• Proven people leadership experience, including setting direction, prioritising a complex portfolio, developing talent and building organisational capability.
• Deep knowledge of fragrance development and strong olfactive judgement, with experience across fragrance, Bath & Body formulation and product performance.
• Strong strategic, commercial and project leadership skills, with the ability to balance creativity, quality, cost, timing and business priorities.
• Excellent communication, influencing and cross-functional partnering skills in a global, matrixed organisation.