NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting) in London

NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting) in London

London Full-Time 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of innovative beauty products and manage projects from concept to launch.
  • Company: Heathcote & Ivory, a leading creator of lifestyle and gifting products.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, creative team culture, and opportunities with iconic brands.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Shape exciting new products and make a real impact in the beauty industry.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in NPD, strong project management, and commercial awareness required.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Location: Queens Park, London | Department: Product Development

About Heathcote & Ivory

Established in London in 2000, Heathcote & Ivory has grown over the last twenty-five years into a leading creator of bath, body, wellness and lifestyle products and design-led gifting collections. Driven by attention to detail, our reputation is built on quality, innovation and strong brand partnerships in the beauty and lifestyle space.

Our brand portfolio is varied, combining heritage brands with fashion icons. These include William Morris At Home, Heath, C.Atherley, Bronnley, Cath Kidston and Sara Miller alongside our own inimitable in-house collections. We supply major premium retailers across the UK and have an international footprint in over 35 countries, reflecting our ongoing focus on growth, market leadership and long-term collaboration with our retail partners.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an inspirational and commercially minded NPD Manager to lead the development and introduction of innovative new product concepts and range upgrades for an exciting new licensed brand within our portfolio. This is a key role in our long‑term growth strategy, offering the chance to shape products that blend creativity, commercial success, and design excellence. You'll manage projects from concept through to launch – translating ideas into commercially viable products while coordinating with our factories in the UK and Asia. The role requires outstanding organisation, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage new product concepts, ensuring alignment with brand and market opportunities.
  • Lead critical path management – delivering projects on time, within budget, and to specification.
  • Source new packaging, materials, and design inspiration to keep products innovative and trend‑led.
  • Collaborate closely with licensors, suppliers, and internal teams across sales, operations, design, and marketing.
  • Oversee commercial feasibility, target costing, and budget control for all assigned projects.
  • Carry out competitor and market analysis to identify trends and new opportunities.
  • Support in‑store communications and marketing initiatives around product launches.
  • Present product concepts and launches effectively to internal teams, licensors, and retail partners.

About You

  • 5+ years’ experience in NPD or product development, ideally within beauty, toiletries, or gifting.
  • Proven experience managing projects end‑to‑end and liaising with Far East suppliers.
  • Strong commercial awareness with an understanding of margins, costings, and RSP impact.
  • Highly organised with excellent Excel, Word, and PowerPoint skills (design software skills a plus).
  • Exceptional attention to detail and an ability to creatively solve problems.
  • Confident communicator and collaborator, comfortable managing multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

  • Minimum A-level education (marketing or business‑related degree preferred).
  • Excellent English and numerical skills essential.

What We Offer

  • Hybrid working pattern – 3 days in our London office, 2 days remote.
  • The opportunity to work with iconic brands and contribute to category‑defining ranges.
  • A collaborative, creative team culture that values innovation, quality, and professional growth.

NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting) in London employer: Heathcote & Ivoryestablished

Heathcote & Ivory is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic hybrid working environment that fosters creativity and collaboration in the heart of London. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees are encouraged to innovate and contribute to iconic product ranges while enjoying a supportive team culture that values quality and attention to detail. The opportunity to work with renowned brands and manage exciting projects makes this role not just a job, but a meaningful career path in the beauty and gifting industry.

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Contact Details:

Heathcote & Ivoryestablished Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting) in London

Join Product Management Meetups

Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Heathcote & Ivoryestablished!

Show Off Your Product Sense

Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Heathcote & Ivoryestablished would be by your initiative!

Utilise Online Communities

Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.

Leverage Your University Network

If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Heathcote & Ivoryestablished through your school's career services!

We think you need these skills to ace NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting) in London

New Product Development (NPD)
Project Management
Commercial Awareness
Market Analysis
Budget Control
Critical Path Management
Collaboration Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting), let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!

Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!

Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.

Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the NPD Manager (Beauty & Gifting) position at Heathcote & Ivoryestablished. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!

How to prepare for a job interview at Heathcote & Ivoryestablished

Understand the Product Life Cycle

As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.

Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills

Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.

Prepare for Case Studies

In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.

Know Your Metrics

Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.