At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development for fitness equipment and wellness products from concept to launch.
- Company: Join Fitness Superstore, a top UK fitness equipment specialist with a dynamic culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus scheme, generous discounts, and 21 days annual leave.
- Other info: Collaborate across teams and influence key product decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fitness products and make a real impact in a growing market.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development and a passion for understanding customer needs.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 € per year.
Location: Northampton Head Office
Product Sectors: Core: Fitness Equipment, with diversification into Wellness, Recovery & leisure products.
The Opportunity
Fitness Superstore is one of the UK’s leading fitness equipment specialists, operating a nationwide retail store network, multiple high-performing e-commerce websites, and a growing B2B commercial division. Our range spans cardio, strength, functional training, home fitness, commercial gym equipment and accessories — supported by a strong proprietary OEM portfolio and long-standing partnerships with globally recognised brands.
As the business continues to expand, including into new wellness, recovery and leisure categories, we are seeking a Product Development Manager to play a central role in shaping and evolving our future product range. This is a high-impact role for a commercially driven product leader who can identify market opportunity, translate customer insight into compelling products, and manage delivery from concept through to launch. You will sit at the heart of the business, influencing what we sell, how we differentiate, and how we continue to lead in a competitive UK marketplace.
The Role
As Product Development Manager, you will own the end-to-end product development lifecycle across Fitness Superstore’s retail, digital and B2B channels. Working closely with buying, marketing, digital and sales teams, you will manage existing OEM pipelines while actively identifying opportunities to expand, improve and diversify our ranges, including diversification in growth areas such as wellness, recovery and leisure products.
This includes developing products across categories such as:
- Cardio and strength equipment (home and commercial)
- Functional training and accessories
- Wellness and recovery
- Leisure and lifestyle products complementary to fitness.
You will be responsible for turning insight into action — shaping product strategy, defining specifications, managing supplier product selections, and ensuring successful product launches that deliver real commercial value to the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Market & Customer Insight
- Conduct in-depth research into customer needs, behaviours and pain points across home fitness, commercial gyms, wellness and leisure markets
- Identify category gaps, emerging trends and growth opportunities, with additional focus on expanding into new categories such as wellness, recovery and lifestyle-led fitness products.
- Track competitor activity and international product innovation to inform future range strategy
- Product Ideation & Development
- Generate, assess and refine new product concepts aligned to brand positioning and customer demand.
- Develop clear product briefs, specifications and commercial cases
- Manage existing PD pipeline and new OEM development projects from concept to production readiness.
- Sourcing & Supplier Management
- Work closely with buying department and retail management to develop existing supplier relationships and new products.
- Identify new sourcing opportunities and manufacturing partners to support category expansion
- Ensure product quality, performance, compliance and cost targets are achieved
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as the central link between buying, marketing, digital, operations and sales teams
- Ensure new products are launched on time, to specification, and fully supported across all channels
- Oversee product testing, compliance, certification and safety requirements.
- A source of product knowledge for the sales teams, especially with regards to OEM where initial product launch training may be needed.
About You
You are a commercially minded product professional with a strong instinct for what customers want next. You enjoy working at both strategic and hands-on levels — equally comfortable shaping long-term product direction and managing the detail required to deliver results. You are curious, data-driven and confident working cross-functionally to bring products to market that genuinely stand out.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in product development, product management or sourcing (consumer or commercial products)
- Strong strategic thinking and product planning capability
- Excellent understanding of customer needs supported by market and data analysis
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance innovation, margin and scalability
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills
- Technical understanding of physical products (fitness, mechanical, engineered or consumer durables desirable)
- Experience in the fitness equipment sector an advantage but not essential.
We can offer you:
- £50K Salary
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Pension.
- Generous staff discount (following probation)
- 21 days annual leave + statutory bank holidays
- Free on-site parking
- Personal use of in-store equipment after hours
Why Join Fitness Superstore?
- Play a key role in shaping the future product portfolio of a market-leading UK fitness retailer
- Work across a diverse mix of proprietary OEM products and global brands
- Influence real product decisions with visible commercial impact
- Be at the forefront of growth into wellness, recovery and leisure categories
If you are driven by innovation, motivated by customer impact, and excited by the challenge of sourcing and developing products that differentiate in a competitive UK market, we’d love to hear from you.
Product Development Manager in Kettering employer: Fitness Superstore
Fitness Superstore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Northampton where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Product Development Manager, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of fitness products while enjoying competitive benefits such as a generous salary, discretionary bonuses, and personal use of in-store equipment. With a strong focus on employee growth and a culture that values creativity and market insight, Fitness Superstore is committed to supporting your professional journey in a rapidly expanding sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager in Kettering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fitness industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out 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
Show off your passion for product development! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas about the latest trends in fitness equipment and wellness products. This will demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Familiarise yourself with their current offerings and think about how you could contribute to their growth in wellness and recovery categories. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Fitness Superstore team. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Development Manager in Kettering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Product Development Manager role. Highlight any relevant product development or management experience, especially in fitness or consumer products.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've identified market opportunities or developed successful products in the past.
Showcase Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for fitness and product innovation shine through in your application. We want to see your genuine interest in shaping the future of our product range!
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it gets to the right people quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fitness Superstore
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the fitness equipment market. Understand current trends, customer needs, and competitor offerings. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your market insight and show how you can contribute to Fitness Superstore's product strategy.
✨Showcase Your Product Development Skills
Prepare specific examples of your past product development experiences. Highlight how you've identified market opportunities, managed product lifecycles, and collaborated with cross-functional teams. This will illustrate your hands-on approach and strategic thinking.
✨Be Data-Driven
Bring data to the table! Discuss how you've used market analysis and customer insights to inform product decisions. Being able to back up your ideas with data will show that you're not just creative but also commercially minded.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Fitness Superstore's future product directions, especially in wellness and recovery. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can make a real impact within the company.
