PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – 1YR MATERNITY COVERSALARY CIRCA £45KHERSHAM About the roleOur Client is a highly successful leader in their field who have been trading for over 30 years and looking to maintain that status with an exciting and challenging growth plan for the next 5 years. With a mix of own label and branded products, they sell to c2000 customers across several countries including the UK. They are seeking an innovative and strategic Product Development Manager to lead the creation and development of their product lines. This role is responsible for overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to commercialisation, ensuring products meet market trends, consumer needs, and brand standards. The ideal candidate will have passion, a strong understanding of market dynamics, and the ability to drive product innovation.The principal duties within this role are:Product Strategy & Development:

Lead the development of new products
Conduct market research to identify trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscape
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, R&D) to develop product concepts aligned with brand strategy and consumer insights
Develop product briefs, ensuring clear communication of product vision, target audience, and performance goals

Project Management:

Oversee the product development timeline from concept through to launch, ensuring all key milestones are met
Manage all aspects of product development, including design, packaging, pricing, and positioning
Work closely with sourcing, supply chain, and manufacturing partners to ensure product quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery
Track project progress, managing timelines and budgets
Ensure products align with brand identity and consumer expectations.

Regulatory Compliance & Sustainability:

Ensure all products comply with relevant safety and regulatory standards
Drive sustainability initiatives within product development, including eco-friendly packaging and sustainable sourcing of ingredients.

Sales & Marketing Collaboration:

Partner with marketing teams to develop go-to-market strategies and support product launches.
Provide product knowledge and training to sales teams, ensuring they have the necessary tools to promote new launches.
Gather feedback from sales and customers to continuously improve product offerings

Vendor & Supplier Management:

Identify and manage relationships with external vendors, including suppliers, packaging companies, and manufacturers
Negotiate contracts and pricing to optimize product margins

Qualifications

5 years of experience in product development, preferably in the beauty, or consumer goods industry.
Proven track record of successfully launching new products and managing product lifecycles.
Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret market trends and consumer data.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

Please note if you have not been contacted by Plum Personnel within seven days then unfortunately on this occasion you have been unsuccessful. Due to the high level of applications we are receiving at this time, we are unfortunately unable to give individual feedback. Plum Personnel is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy. Plum Personnel is an equal opportunities employer.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Head of Marketing

Head of Marketing and Communications

Finance Business Partner