At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create innovative consumer products that excite customers.
- Company: Join a well-established, innovative consumer products business with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, exciting growth opportunities, and a chance to shape the future.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and high performance.
- Why this job: Make a genuine impact in a brand-new leadership role during an exciting growth phase.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in product development and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
A genuinely exciting opportunity to shape the future. This is a brand-new leadership position, created as part of an ambitious growth strategy, joining a well-established, privately owned consumer products business with an outstanding reputation for innovation and long-standing retail partnerships. The business has a clear vision and is entering an exciting new phase of growth, backed by ambitious long-term investment plans.
The Role:
- You will take ownership of the Product Development function, leading a multidisciplinary Product Development and Design team responsible for creating exciting, commercially successful product ranges across multiple categories.
- You will work closely with Design, Sales, Merchandising, QA and an established global supplier network to develop products that excite customers, deliver exceptional value and continue to strengthen the company’s reputation within the market.
- From the first concept through to production, you will ensure every range is commercially balanced, beautifully executed and built to succeed.
The Detail:
- Leading, developing and inspiring a high-performing Product Development team.
- Driving innovation across a broad portfolio of consumer product categories.
- Building long-term partnerships with suppliers to continually improve product quality, innovation and speed to market.
- Working closely with factories to develop prototypes, refine samples and deliver outstanding finished products.
- Conducting regular competitor analysis and retail benchmarking, ensuring your ranges remain ahead of the market on design, quality and price.
- Creating commercially balanced product collections that work across different retail channels and customer requirements.
- Partnering with Design to bring fresh ideas to life while maintaining commercial focus.
- Protecting product quality at every stage of development without compromising creativity or value.
- Championing best practice across product development processes and continuously looking for smarter ways of working.
- Supporting the wider leadership team as the business continues its ambitious growth journey.
Who We’re Looking For:
- Proven experience leading a Product Development function within a consumer products business.
- Experience across consumer products across multiple non-fashion categories.
- Passionate about product development with a genuine obsession for innovation, newness and creating products consumers love.
- Commercially astute with a strong understanding of product costing, retail pricing and building balanced, profitable ranges.
- Naturally curious, always keeping ahead of trends through competitor shopping, retailer visits and market research.
- Experienced in working closely with overseas manufacturers and supplier partners to develop, refine and deliver exceptional products.
- A proven track record of taking successful product ranges from initial concept through to retail launch.
- A confident and decisive leader who isn’t afraid to challenge ideas, influence stakeholders and drive positive change.
- An approachable people leader who develops high-performing teams through coaching, collaboration and clear communication.
- Committed to maintaining a positive, supportive culture while continually raising standards and driving continuous improvement.
- Organised, commercially focused and comfortable managing multiple projects within a fast-paced environment.
Head of Product Development in Manchester employer: MindMatch
Selwood Housing is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a supportive team environment where collaboration and knowledge sharing are key. With a commitment to inclusivity and a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working opportunities, and ongoing training, you will not only gain hands-on experience as an Apprentice Electrician but also build a rewarding career in a respected trade within a growing not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing affordable housing in the Southwest.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Development in Manchester
✨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 MindMatch!
✨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 MindMatch 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 MindMatch through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Development in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Head of Product Development, 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 Head of Product Development position at MindMatch. 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 MindMatch
✨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.
