At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and grow product portfolio, driving sales and brand development.
- Company: Leading UK distributor of FMCG products with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, annual bonus, and 5 weeks leave.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in product development.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Bury St Edmunds/Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-time Mon – Fri, 37.5 – 08:30 – 17:00
Reporting Line: Head of Brand & Commercial Partnerships
Salary: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
About the Company
This is a UK dedicated, large-scale distributor of non-food FMCG products. We provide a cost-effective sales, marketing and distribution service for FMCG manufacturers from around the world of both branded and private label products for supply to multiple retailers, convenience stores, discount retailers, online retailers, pharmacies, wholesalers and foodservice operators across all key channels.
Role Overview
We are seeking a dynamic Product Development Manager to strategically manage and grow our product portfolio, driving sustainable sales, margin, and contribution in line with company objectives. This role requires a commercially astute and creative professional with strong analytical and relationship management skills. This is a strategic, hands-on role suited to a results-driven professional who can balance commercial insight with creative brand development.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the brand portfolio, market dynamics, emerging trends, and competitor activity.
- Conduct regular range reviews and benchmarking exercises with brand owners to identify growth opportunities and rationalise underperforming products.
- Negotiate with suppliers, agencies, and service providers to secure competitive terms, pricing, and where possible, marketing investment.
- Ensure principals and suppliers deliver the service levels and support required to meet customer expectations and drive business growth.
- Collaborate closely with marketing agencies to develop and execute brand marketing plans within agreed budgets, aimed at driving sales and brand awareness.
- Work with brand owners to plan and implement promotional and trade marketing initiatives, ensuring alignment with consumer marketing activities.
- Research and evaluate potential new principals to expand the company’s portfolio and support growth objectives.
- Manage discontinued and clearance product lines efficiently to create space for new product development.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee the new product launch process, including packaging design (where applicable), ensuring effective communication across all internal departments and accurate forecasting for Sales, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Customer Service teams.
- Provide comprehensive support to the Sales team through accurate product data, presentations, and timely responses to information and pricing requests.
- Foster open, effective, and collaborative communication across cross-functional departments.
- Achieve sales and profit growth targets as set by your line manager.
- Prepare and deliver high-quality professional presentations for both internal and external audiences.
- Lead, engage, and develop direct reports by setting clear direction, expectations, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability.
Skills & Experience Required:
- Excellent numeracy and literacy skills, with strong attention to detail.
- High proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, to a professional and analytical standard.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to evaluate and compare alternative commercial options.
- Effective multitasker, able to manage a wide range of products and prioritise workload efficiently.
- Commercially astute, with a clear understanding of how decisions and actions impact sales, profit, and overall business performance.
What We Offer
- Annual bonus eligible position
- Hybrid office/home working model (following successful completion of probation).
- Growth and learning opportunities
- Collaborative work environment
- 5 weeks annual leave plus
Product Development Manager employer: Cooper Lomaz
As a leading distributor of non-food FMCG products, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative work environment in Bury St Edmunds. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our hybrid working model, competitive salary, and generous annual leave, ensuring that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful projects that drive business success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their brand and how you can contribute to its growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills align with the role of Product Development Manager. Highlight your analytical skills and creativity, and don’t forget to mention your experience with market trends.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Development Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing product portfolios and any relevant achievements that showcase your analytical and creative skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use it to demonstrate your understanding of market dynamics and how you can drive growth for our brand portfolio.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint. We want to see how your strong numeracy and literacy skills can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cooper Lomaz
✨Know Your Product Portfolio
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the company's product portfolio and market dynamics. Research their current offerings, emerging trends, and competitor activity. This will not only show your enthusiasm but also help you discuss how you can contribute to growing their product range.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Product Development Manager, strong analytical skills are crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples where you've used data to drive decisions or identify growth opportunities. Bring along any relevant case studies or metrics that demonstrate your ability to analyse and improve product performance.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
Negotiation is a key part of this role, so think about past experiences where you've successfully negotiated terms with suppliers or partners. Prepare to discuss your approach and the outcomes. This will highlight your commercial acumen and ability to secure competitive terms.
✨Engage in Collaborative Communication
This role requires effective communication across various departments. Think of examples where you've fostered collaboration in previous roles. Be ready to share how you would ensure open lines of communication with marketing agencies and internal teams to drive successful product launches.
