VP Product Development & Merchandising – Personal Care

About Us

American Exchange Group is an industry leader in fashion accessory products and brand management. By facilitating distribution to major retailers internationally for their globally recognized brands, custom private label brands, and exclusive licensed brands—including footwear, tech wearables, watches, jewelry, handbags, fashion accessories, home, and beauty—American Exchange Group raises the bar by disrupting the status quo with value and quality, while staying at the forefront of trends.

 Joining American Exchange Group means being part of a dynamic and diverse team where your contributions drive real impact—and where there’s always room to grow. If you're looking to be part of a company that blends heritage with hustle, we’re excited to meet you.

 Visit our website at www.axnygroup.com

Job Title:  VP Product Development & Merchandising, Personal Care 

 

Location: Onsite 5 days a week at our NYC HQ

 

Overview

We are seeking a strategic, trend-driven, and execution-focused VP, Product Development & Merchandising – Personal Care to lead product strategy, development, sourcing, packaging, and brand positioning across our growing portfolio of personal care  brands. This leader will drive end-to-end product creation—from concept through delivery—ensuring that all items meet the unique requirements of the off-price channel while maintaining strong brand identity, quality standards, and margin goals.

 

The VP Product Development & Merchandising will oversee a cross-functional creative and development team, collaborate closely with design, sourcing, sales, and retail partners, and guide innovation across categories including nail care, beauty tools, spa accessories, bath and body, textiles, and giftable personal care products.

 

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment with frequent product turns and retailer-driven timelines.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Merchandising

• Lead the overall product vision and seasonal roadmap across multiple personal care categories.
• Develop cohesive product assortments tailored to each brand and retail partner (TJX, Burlington, Ross, etc.), aligned with consumer insights and competitive market trends.
• New Business Development – Club, Mass, and Department Stores
• Partner with Sales to build compelling assortments and presentations that maximize sell-in and profitability.
• Monitor category performance, pricing architecture, and margin targets to optimize line profitability.

Product Development & Innovation

• Oversee the full product lifecycle from ideation through production, including briefs, spec development, artwork, packaging direction, and approvals.
• Identify new materials, formulas, packaging structures, and innovation opportunities to keep brands trend-right and competitive.
• Ensure strong quality standards and testing compliance for beauty and personal care products.

Sourcing & Vendor Management

• Drive sourcing strategy across global vendor partners, ensuring competitive costing, reliable delivery, and quality standards.
• Negotiate pricing, lead-times, MOQs, and capacity planning to meet seasonal and customer deadlines.
• Work closely with the Product Development & Sourcing Coordinator to manage sample tracking, production timelines, and vendor communication.

Packaging, Branding & Creative Direction

• Lead the packaging and graphic design team in developing elevated, brand-appropriate packaging solutions for multi-brand portfolios.
• Ensure packaging is optimized for shelf impact, brand voice, and value perception in off-price and mass retail environments.
• Maintain strong consistency across brand standards while adapting to retailer-specific requirements.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to product, design, and sourcing teams; coach and develop high-performing talent.
• Collaborate with Sales, Operations, Finance, and QA to align timelines, inventory plans, cost structures, and compliance requirements.
• Communicate proactively with internal teams and leadership regarding progress, risks, and key milestones.

Retailer & Market Insights

• Stay ahead of category trends, competitor assortments, and consumer preferences across beauty and wellness.
• Partner with Sales to gather r