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- Tasks: Lead product development for high-performance protective clothing and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a leading manufacturer in protective workwear with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a pension scheme, and free onsite parking.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety and sustainability while developing cutting-edge products.
- Qualifications: 7 years in product development with expertise in FR and Electric Arc garments.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive environment for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Worcester
Permanent, Full Time Hours: Monday-Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid: 1 day per week working from home/flexible hours
Salary: £(phone number removed)K
About the Role
My client designs and manufactures high-visibility, protective clothing for industries like rail, construction, and infrastructure and is seeking an experienced Product Development Manager (7 years in Product Development) to lead their product development function across their high-performance protective workwear ranges. This role combines people leadership, technical expertise, and hands-on product ownership, with specific responsibility for our Flame Resistant (FR) and Electric Arc ranges, and potential oversight of the Evolution range, which represents Pulsar's most highly specified and feature-led products. You will manage and support a team of Product Developers, ensuring products are developed to the highest standards of performance, compliance, quality, and commercial viability, while maintaining robust critical paths and on-time delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Development Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Product Developers, overseeing day-to-day workload, priorities, and performance.
- Ensure Product Developers are effectively delivering their responsibilities across product research, development, testing, certification, and bulk production.
- Supporting Head of PECS in best practice standards for product development processes, documentation, and technical accuracy.
- Support the professional development of the Product Development team through coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.
- Range Ownership & Technical Expertise
- Take direct ownership of Pulsar's FR and Electric Arc product ranges, acting as the technical authority throughout development and production.
- Oversee the Evolution range, ensuring highly specified, feature-rich products meet performance, compliance, and commercial requirements.
- Ensure all products are fit for purpose, meet relevant industry standards, and align with brand positioning and customer expectations.
- Lead technical decision-making for complex products, materials, constructions, and performance requirements.
- Product Research & Innovation
- Drive innovation across assigned ranges through market research, competitor analysis, and exploration of new materials, technologies, and garment features.
- Work closely with fabric mills and suppliers to source and develop materials that improve performance, durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
- Oversee fabric treatments and advanced garment technologies where required.
- Ensure cost prices are reviewed and managed to achieve margin targets across all ranges.
- Identify and mitigate technical risks early in the development process, ensuring compliance and on-time delivery.
- Critical Path & Delivery Management
- Manage the product critical paths across all ranges, ensuring Product Developers maintain agreed timelines.
- Monitor progress across sampling, testing, certification, and production, proactively addressing risks, delays, and bottlenecks.
- Provide accurate weekly updates to the Head PECS on development status, risks, and mitigation plans.
- Implement changing prioritises as required by the Head of PECS.
- Ensure cross-functional alignment with Operations, Sales, and Marketing to support successful product launches.
- Product Documentation & Specification
- Oversee the creation and accuracy of all product documentation, including BOMs, technical files, test reports, and certification documentation.
- Ensure consistency and accuracy of specifications, labelling, and compliance documentation across all ranges.
- Support and review sampling, fit sessions, and pre-production approvals where required, particularly for complex or high-risk products.
- Ensure robust version control and data accuracy across product documentation.
- Standards, Compliance & Ethics
- Ensure all products comply with relevant standards including EN ISO 20471, RIS 3279 TOM, EN 343, ISO 13688, and applicable FR and Electric Arc standards.
- Maintain strong working relationships with testing houses and certification bodies.
- Monitor changes in standards and regulations, assessing impact and leading implementation across existing and future products.
- Work closely with the Head of PECS to ensure products align with Pulsar's ethical, sustainability, and compliance commitments.
- Supply Chain & External Collaboration
- Support the identification, onboarding, and qualification of new factory partners and suppliers.
- Maintain strong technical relationships with global factories to ensure manufacturing accuracy and product consistency.
- Work with external trim and component suppliers on new developments and innovations.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Act as a key technical interface between Product Development and Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
- Support Marketing with technical product information, ensuring accuracy and alignment with launch plans.
- Participate in sales meetings, product sign-off sessions, and internal presentations as required.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a senior Product Development role within protective workwear.
- Demonstrable expertise in FR and Electric Arc protective garments (essential).
- Strong understanding of relevant EN standards, certification processes, and technical file submission.
- Experience managing and developing Product Developers or similar technical teams.
- In-depth knowledge of textile performance, fabric and trim testing, and garment construction for protective wear.
- Commercially aware, with experience managing costs, margins, and product viability.
- Experience working with global supply chains, including Asia, China, and Europe.
- Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple ranges and complex critical paths.
- Confident communicator, able to work effectively with senior stakeholders, suppliers, and external partners.
- High attention to detail and a proactive approach to risk management and continuous improvement.
- Strong interest in sustainability, compliance, and ethical product development.
Benefits:
- 25 days holiday (plus an additional 5 days after 10 years’ service)
- Company pension scheme
- Free onsite parking
If you wish to be considered for the role, please contact Joanne Harris on (phone number removed) or email your cv to (url removed).
Product Development Manager employer: Four Squared Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Four Squared Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Development Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products thoroughly. Understand their values, recent projects, and challenges they face. This way, when you walk into that interview, you’ll impress them with your knowledge and passion for their work.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring a portfolio or examples of your previous work to the interview. We want to see how you’ve tackled challenges in product development and how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in FR and Electric Arc protective garments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that position!
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 leading teams and managing product development processes, especially in protective workwear. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Don’t forget to emphasise your technical knowledge, particularly around FR and Electric Arc garments. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of these ranges, so let us know about your relevant experience and achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Four Squared Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the Flame Resistant and Electric Arc ranges. Understand the materials, compliance standards, and performance metrics. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed teams in previous roles. Highlight your mentoring style and how you’ve supported team members in achieving their goals. This is crucial for a Product Development Manager position.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Innovation
Think about recent trends in protective workwear and be prepared to discuss how you would drive innovation within the company. Bring ideas on new materials or technologies that could enhance product performance and sustainability.
✨Master the Critical Path
Familiarise yourself with critical path management techniques. Be ready to explain how you would ensure timely delivery while managing risks and bottlenecks. This shows you can handle the complexities of product development effectively.
