At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage the entire manufacturing lifecycle for exciting new games.
- Company: Join Big Potato, an indie board game company with a fun culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a four-day work week, private healthcare, and a £500 holiday bonus.
- Other info: Dynamic team with opportunities for growth and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be the bridge between creativity and production, making games come to life.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing and a passion for board games or toys.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
What You'll Be Doing
- End-to-End Manufacturing
- Own the manufacturing lifecycle for a range of products (10-30 new or updated SKUs per annum), from factory brief to shipment.
- Be a key point of contact for factories and suppliers in China (Ningbo/Dongguan and potentially Vietnam and Latin America in the future, this will require some travel for factory visits).
- Manage specifications, materials, tooling and production methods (Injection/roto molding, print finishes, & paper engineering).
- Make decisions that balance cost, quality and speed and responsible for sign off with Game Development.
- Production Planning & Control
- Build and maintain detailed production schedules.
- Track critical paths, dependencies and deadlines.
- Manage changes, reworks and knock-on impacts.
- Keep production moving when things inevitably go wrong.
- Quality & Compliance
- Aid quality standards, by working with a junior colleague.
- Review pre-production, golden and mass-production samples.
- Manage tolerances, colour consistency and materials.
- Ensure, along with colleagues, all products meet safety testing, compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Costing & Commercial Discipline
- Be a key contact for costings and margin assumptions from a manufacturing perspective.
- Flag risks early when costs drift or specs creep.
- Support print-run decisions with clear manufacturing insight.
- Understand how factory decisions affect retail pricing and profitability.
- Process & Continuous Improvement
- Improve manufacturing workflows, documentation and handovers.
- Build repeatable systems so future products run more smoothly.
- Capture learnings from every production and feed them back into process.
- Reduce surprises, firefighting and last‐minute fixes over time.
- Internal Coordination
- Be a key contact as an operational bridge between creative, logistics and factories.
- Translate creative intent into clear, manufacturable requirements.
- Be clear, direct and pragmatic when something can't (or shouldn't) be made, whilst always striving to make the impossible, possible.
Essential
- Good experience in manufacturing, production or operations roles.
- Hands‐on experience working with factories in China.
- Strong understanding of production workflows, tooling and materials.
- Excellent attention to detail and process thinking.
- Confidence making difficult calls on cost, quality and timing.
- Experience in either board games, toys or similar consumer products.
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with freight, shipping and logistics.
- Experience with factory audits or QC processes.
What Success Looks Like
- Improved sample approval cycle times.
- Improved cost predictability vs forecast.
- Fewer surprises late in production.
- Clear, predictable manufacturing timelines.
- Products that arrive on time, on cost and at the right quality.
- Processes that get better with every product we ship.
About Big Potato
We're an indie board game company based in Clerkenwell. From quiz games to drawing games, TV game shows to mobile apps, we like to turn our hands to all sorts. No matter what the project, we always try to stick to one golden rule: to make sure our games are easy to understand, fun to play and guaranteed to get the party started.
We're committed to building a team that reflects a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, and we encourage applications from underrepresented groups.
Annual Leave Entitlement (Full‐time): 16 days, in addition to Bank and Public Holidays.
We work a four‐day week (we were one of the first companies to implement this and we've never looked back).
Enrolment in the Employee Benefit Trust after 12 months (everyone owns a part of the Big Potato).
Free BUPA private healthcare.
Access to the Government Pension Scheme.
Each year you are entitled to a £500 bonus (pro rata) to put towards your holiday.
Free fruit, snacks, soft drinks, office wine & beers, tea & coffee.
Discounted gym.
Free monthly yoga.
Monthly paid socials.
Summer and Christmas Party.
Free games.
Cycle to work scheme.
Free eye tests.
Product Manager - Manufacturing (Games) in London employer: Big Potato
Big Potato is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant area of Clerkenwell, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Product Manager, you'll benefit from opportunities for professional growth while working with passionate teams dedicated to delivering high-quality games. With a focus on innovation and a supportive environment, Big Potato ensures that every employee feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager - Manufacturing (Games) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to manufacturing and production. We recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for games and manufacturing during interviews. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome. This will demonstrate your commitment and make you memorable to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager - Manufacturing (Games) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Games:When you're writing your application, let your love for games shine through! We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission at Big Potato. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your passion for board games or similar products.
Be Specific About Your Experience:We’re looking for someone with solid manufacturing experience, so don’t hold back! Detail your hands-on work with factories, especially in China, and any specific production workflows you’ve managed. The more specific you are, the better we can see how you fit into our team.
Highlight Problem-Solving Skills:In manufacturing, things can go awry, and we need someone who can think on their feet. Use your application to showcase examples where you've tackled challenges head-on, whether it was managing timelines or ensuring quality standards. We love a good story of overcoming obstacles!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key in your application. Make sure your writing is straightforward and easy to follow. We want to understand your qualifications without sifting through fluff. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Big Potato
✨Know Your Manufacturing Lifecycle
Make sure you understand the end-to-end manufacturing process, especially how it relates to the gaming industry. Be ready to discuss your experience with managing product lifecycles and how you've handled challenges in production.
✨Showcase Your Factory Experience
Since this role involves working closely with factories in China, be prepared to share specific examples of your hands-on experience. Talk about any visits you've made, how you managed relationships, and any insights you've gained from those interactions.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect questions about how you've dealt with production issues in the past. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to keep production moving when things go wrong, and how you’ve implemented processes to reduce surprises.
✨Communicate Clearly and Pragmatically
This role requires translating creative ideas into manufacturable products. Practice articulating how you would approach this challenge, ensuring you can convey complex ideas simply and directly while maintaining a positive attitude towards problem-solving.
