Mesha Thomas

About Mesha Thomas

Global Product Development Category Leader with 10+ years of collective experience, most recently, driving complexion innovation, inclusive shade strategy, and global market growth, in the beauty industry. Operates in a lean organizational structure, providing strategic counsel and defending category direction at the C-suite level. Proven expertise in leading the end-to-end development lifecycle, from concept and shade architecture through formula innovation, commercialization, and global launch execution. Skilled at leveraging consumer insights, trend forecasting, and cross-functional leadership to deliver category-defining products that strengthen brand equity and expand market share. Recognized for advancing inclusive shade ranges that resonate globally, navigating complex market feedback while safeguarding innovation integrity.Highlights-Nominated for Global Innovation Recognition Award-Managed development for new franchise, GLIMMER, on a fast-track timeline. The GLIMMER franchise is now driving more revenue than Revlon iconic franchise, SUPER LUSTROUS-Product ideation for 2026 pulled up and fast-tracked to market for 2024-Tapped to be the face of Target Beauty Advisor product training videos, due to previous Edu & Training experience and content creation hobby-Tapped to create content for Revlon Global Social Media Accounts, based on understanding of how products translate to social media trendsSkills:Global Market Research & Consumer Insights, Trend Forecasting & Competitive Landscape Analysis, Category Strategy & KPI-Driven Growth, Shade Range Architecture & Inclusive Innovation, Formula Development & Ingredient Strategy, Concept-to-Commercialization Leadership, Executive-Level Presentation & Influence, Cross-Functional & Global Team Leadership, Regulatory & Compliance Expertise (US & International), Vendor & Manufacturing Partnership Management, Data-Driven Decision Making & Portfolio Analytics. Training, Development & Mentorship of Teams, Beauty Product Innovation (Complexion, Color, Tools), Consumer-Centric Product Positioning & Storytelling, Makeup Artistry, Color Expertise & Color Theory ApplicationInterests: Fashion Trends, Social Media Content Creation, Exploring new cities intimately, Fitness lover working to develop a healthy relationship with pizza -)

Experience

1. Global Product Development Manager - Category Lead

   Revlon

   Sep 2021 — Present · US

   Manages and orchestrates the end-to-end product development process by collaborating with all departments involved to ensure operational excellence, both for new products and changes to existing products-Creates unique and incremental color concepts, based on color & trend forecasting-Partner with key cross-functional teams (R&D, Claims & Legal) to manage desired formula claims-Partners with Marketing on strategy and concept Ideation-Identifies formula and shade prototypes and manages briefs to R&D and TPMs-Manages Shade Evaluation: provides redirection to R&D or TPM to meet approved concept objective and timeline-Works with regional marketing leaders to ensure global and market specific product/shade needs are being met-Partners with R&D and TPMs on final lab, scale-up, pilot and production standards-Manages any in-market product issues, working closely with R&D, packaging, Marketing, Production to identify, solve and communicate in an efficient manner-Translates R&D platform technologies into consumer relevant ideas/benefits/RTB-Works with Marketing and R&D or TPM to create sell-in pages and product support materials-Attends key trade shows or emerging innovations to identify breakthrough product, package or trend opportunity-Partners with the packaging team to develop appropriate delivery system and aesthetics for all products-Reviews and manages all package submissions for functionality purposes-Determines beauty looks (print, video, social, etc.) and outline for agency-Briefs makeup artist prior to shoots (pre-pro), outlining looks and special instructions-Attends shoots in order to ensure that product use and intent are met on set-Actively participates in the retouching process for print, TV, social, etc-Manages acquisition of samples, bulk, and comps for all photo shoots.Highlights-Nominated for Global Innovation Recognition Award

Education

• Aveda

  Cosmetology

  2013 — 2015

• University of Michigan

  Bachelor's degree, Spanish and International Studies

  2008 — 2012