Head of Product Development

Head of Product Development | Manchester | £75,000 - £95,000 + Benefits A genuinely exciting opportunity to shape the future.This isn't replacing someone. This is a brand-new leadership position, created as part of an ambitious growth strategy, joining a well-established, privately owned consumer products business with an outstanding reputation for innovation and long-standing retail partnerships. The business has a clear vision. They're entering an exciting new phase of growth, backed by ambitious long-term investment plans and a clear vision for the future. They're looking for someone who wants to make a genuine impact, challenge the status quo and help shape what comes next. The Role: You'll take ownership of the Product Development function, leading a multidisciplinary Product Development and Design team... leading a talented team responsible for creating exciting, commercially successful product ranges across multiple categories. You'll work closely with Design, Sales, Merchandising, QA and an established global supplier network to develop products that excite customers, deliver exceptional value and continue to strengthen the company's reputation within the market. From the first concept through to production, you'll make sure every range is commercially balanced, beautifully executed and built to succeed. The Detail: • Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing Product Development team. • Driving innovation across a broad portfolio of consumer product categories. • Building long-term partnerships with suppliers to continually improve product quality, innovation and speed to market. • Working closely with factories to develop prototypes, refine samples and deliver outstanding finished products. • Conducting regular competitor analysis and retail benchmarking, ensuring your ranges remain ahead of the market on design, quality and price. • Creating commercially balanced product collections that work across different retail channels and customer requirements. • Partnering with Design to bring fresh ideas to life while maintaining commercial focus. • Protecting product quality at every stage of development without compromising creativity or value. • Championing best practice across product development processes and continuously looking for smarter ways of working. • Supporting the wider leadership team as the business continues its ambitious growth journey. Who We're Looking For: • Proven experience leading a Product Development function within a consumer products business. • Experience across consumer products across multiple non-fashion categories. • Passionate about product development with a genuine obsession for innovation, newness and creating products consumers love. • Commercially astute with a strong understanding of product costing, retail pricing and building balanced, profitable ranges. • Naturally curious, always keeping ahead of trends through competitor shopping, retailer visits and market research. • Experienced in working closely with overseas manufacturers and supplier partners to develop, refine and deliver exceptional products. • A proven track record of taking successful product ranges from initial concept through to retail launch. • A confident and decisive leader who isn't afraid to challenge ideas, influence stakeholders and drive positive change. • An approachable people leader who develops high-performing teams through coaching, collaboration and clear communication. • Committed to maintaining a positive, supportive culture while continually raising standards and driving continuous improvement. • Organised, commercially focused and comfortable managing multiple projects within a fast-paced environment. BH36543