When Alcan Packaging Beauty (today Albéa) was created in 2004, Jose Filipe was general manager of the Devizes site in the UK. In 2006 he was appointed General Manager for Albea Brazil, based in Sao Paulo. Two years later he moved to USA, as General Manager of the Global Beauty Solutions Division. In 2013, he is appointed Executive VP Americas, supervising all Albéa Operations and Sales in North America, Mexico and Brazil. These operations have combined sales of over 0.5 $US Billion. Jose Filipe acquired his operational management skills within various large international groups such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson& Johnson and Unilever.
Q&A with Jose
1. How did you get into beauty?
Started working with Procter & Gamble as production manager on their plant in England, filling products for Olay, Cover Girl, and Max Factor Brands. This was 25 years ago and since then I have connected to beauty, working for Johnson & Johnson and Unilever, on their Beauty and Personal Care Brands.
2. Why do you love indie beauty?
Indie brings innovation and new ideas to a very saturated and competitive market. They are the disruptors of the industry. Over the years we have seen Indie brands bringing new products, new gestures and new ways of connecting with the consumer (we are currently on this “wave”).
3. How can you help indie beauty brands?
I believe I can help with advice on packaging fits, consumer gestures and production / distribution networks.
4. If you could give indie beauty brands one piece of advice, what would it be?
Stay true to your message and as much as possible, keep it simple. Be it because you are bringing a new product or a new gesture, believe in it and “live” it. Your “believe” will carry your product, much more than the product itself, particularly on the first stages of your brand growth path.
5. What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten?
“You are always the responsible and are always on the line of fire, so better do what you believe in, rather than what other people tell you.”
6. Favorite motto or inspirational quote.
“Everybody want to live on the top of the mountain; but all the enjoyment and happiness is done during the climb.”
7. Must-read email, blog, publication?
The usual publications: Premium Cosmetic News and WWD.
