GM / AVP - Innovation & Product Development

About the Company

Dot & Key is a fruit-powered skincare brand that’s all about delivering results & having fun. We turn your daily skincare routine into a joyful experience with juicy fresh fruits & high-performance actives, coz who says effective skincare needs to be boring?

About the Role

The GM/AVP – Innovation & Product Development at Dot & Key will lead the brand’s innovation engine, driving science-backed, trend-forward product launches with a strong visual identity and distinctive packaging. This role will play a pivotal part in shaping Dot & Key’s future growth by building a high-velocity innovation pipeline that seamlessly blends dermatological efficacy, deep consumer understanding, and bold, clutter-breaking design.

As a key member of the leadership team, the role will own innovation strategy, portfolio expansion, packaging differentiation, and commercial success of new launches.

Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy & Category Expansion

• Define and execute a high-impact innovation roadmap aligned to D2C and omni-channel growth.
• Identify white spaces across actives-led skincare, derma-backed formats, and emerging categories.
• Build a strong pipeline of hero SKUs and repeat-purchase drivers.
• Balance speed-to-market with formulation integrity and quality.

Science-Backed Product Development

• Lead end-to-end development of clinically relevant, ingredient-focused formulations.
• Partner with R&D, labs, and global suppliers to bring globally trending actives to market.
• Ensure products are efficacy-driven, safe, stable, and claims-substantiated.
• Translate complex ingredient science into simple, consumer-friendly product propositions.

Brand-Led Packaging & Visual Innovation

• Drive bold, scroll-stopping packaging aligned with a vibrant, youthful brand identity.
• Lead structural and graphic packaging innovation balancing aesthetics, functionality, and cost.
• Champion sustainable packaging transitions without compromising brand appeal.
• Ensure strong shelf presence across D2C, marketplaces, and offline retail.

Commercial & P&L Alignment

• Develop strong business cases for new launches including pricing architecture, margin targets, and ROI.
• Align innovation calendar with marketing campaigns, digital drops, and seasonal trends.
• Optimize cost structures across formulation and packaging to drive profitability at scale.

Consumer & Trend Intelligence

• Track global skincare trends, K-beauty/J-beauty influences, derm innovations, and social media movements.
• Leverage consumer reviews, digital analytics, and community feedback to refine product strategy.
• Benchmark against leading Indian and international digital-first brands.

Regulatory & Governance

• Ensure compliance with Indian and export market cosmetic regulations.
• Oversee safety, stability, dermat testing, and claim substantiation.
• Stay ahead of evolving sustainability and clean beauty standards.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence

• Lead and scale a high-performing innovation and NPD team.
• Partner closely with Marketing, Growth, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing for seamless launches.
• Present pipeline strategy and performance metrics to the Business Head and leadership team.

Qualifications

• 12–18 years of experience in skincare/cosmetics, preferably within fast-growing, digital-first or premium brands.
• Strong exposure to actives-led skincare and trend-driven innovation.
• Proven track record of launching high-velocity, commercially successful SKUs.
• Strong aesthetic sensibility with deep understanding of packaging as a brand lever.
• Commercially sharp with ability to balance creativity and profitability.