Innovation Manager

Innovation Manager – Beauty & Personal Care at MARS Cosmetics:Job Title: Innovation Manager – Beauty & Personal CareLocation: Delhi, IndiaDepartment: New Product Development (NPD) & InnovationExperience: 5–10 years (preferably in BPC, FMCG, or D2C sectors)About MARS CosmeticsMARS Cosmetics is a new-age beauty brand reshaping the Indian cosmetics landscape with affordable, high-performance, and trend-led products. As we scale from ₹300 Cr to ₹1000 Cr in revenue, we're investing heavily in innovation to unlock new categories, formulations, and consumer experiences. We're looking for a passionate and proactive Innovation Manager to help us lead this transformation.Role OverviewAs the Innovation Manager, you will be responsible for end-to-end innovation strategy, product ideation, and development across makeup, skincare, and personal care verticals. This is a high-impact role that bridges trend forecasting, consumer insight, technical formulation, and GTM planning.Key ResponsibilitiesConsumer-Centric Innovation- Conduct consumer research, trend scouting (domestic and global), and gap analysis to identify whitespace opportunities- Translate macro/micro trends and insights into actionable product conceptsProduct Ideation & Concept Development- Lead product ideation sessions and co-develop briefs for new innovations in makeup, skincare, haircare, and beyond- Work closely with R&D, labs, and suppliers to bring formulations to lifePackaging & Claims Development- Collaborate with packaging, regulatory, and design teams to finalize formats, aesthetics, and USPs- Define performance benchmarks, claims, and validation protocolsNPD & Launch Calendar Management- Manage the product development lifecycle from brief to launch- Ensure innovation timelines, cost targets, and quality benchmarks are metCross-Functional Leadership- Act as the innovation hub connecting R&D, marketing, design, supply chain, and external partners- Drive alignment on innovation pipeline, testing, and commercial feasibilityTrend Mapping & Global Benchmarking- Maintain a pulse on global launches, ingredient trends, indie brand innovation, and sustainable beauty practicesPost-Launch Analysis- Collaborate with analytics and marketing teams to evaluate product performance, consumer feedback, and iterate future pipelinesRequired Qualifications & Skills- 5–10 years of experience in beauty innovation, R&D, product development, or brand innovation roles- Deep understanding of the beauty & personal care landscape, especially color cosmetics, skincare, or D2C beauty- Strong grasp of consumer insight, trend analysis, and formulation basics- Excellent project management and organizational skills- Strong collaboration and communication abilities- Passion for beauty, creativity, and pushing boundaries- Education: B.Tech / B.Pharm / Cosmetology / MBA (optional) with relevant BPC innovation experiencePreferred Tools & Knowledge- Familiarity with ingredient decks, INCI lists, claim substantiation processes- Awareness of clean beauty, sustainability, and regulatory guidelines (BIS/FDA/PCPNDT etc.)- Exposure to global BPC trends via tools like WGSN, Mintel, Beautystreams, etc.Why Join MARS Cosmetics?- Work at the forefront of beauty innovation in one of India's most exciting and fastest-growing beauty brands- End-to-end ownership of category-defining product launches- Creative freedom + structured growth + passionate team- Drive real consumer impact and be part of a ₹1000 Cr growth storyTo Apply:Send your CV and a short note on "One product idea MARS should launch next, and why" to rishbah@marscosmetics.in