At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to develop exciting new products for top brands like Disney and Marvel.
- Company: Join Paladone, an award-winning global giftware company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, hybrid working, 25 days holiday, and wellness resources.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in product development while working with iconic brands.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in product development and experience leading diverse teams.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Shoreham‑by‑Sea, England, United Kingdom
Company: Bitrecruit (Client / Employer: Occupop)
Contract: 12‑15 month maternity cover fixed‑term (depending on start date)
About the role
Would you like to join a fast‑growing, award‑winning global business? Do you have strong experience in trend‑led product development, ideally within the gift, consumer products, lifestyle, toys or licensed product industry? Are you excited by creating products for brands like Disney, Harry‑Potter, Marvel, Barbie and more? If so, we'd love you to join our Creative Team as our new Lead New Product Developer, covering an initial 12‑15‑month maternity leave period with the possibility of becoming permanent.
Paladone is an award‑winning wholesale giftware company with offices and teams working globally. Our mission is to create winning, trend‑led lifestyle products that put a smile on the faces of customers around the world. In 2025, Paladone was proud to be recognised as Employer of the Year and International Business of the Year, reflecting our commitment to our people, our culture and our continued global growth. Alongside our own branded products, we offer a comprehensive range of licensed giftware, working with many exciting mainstream brands such as Disney, Harry‑Potter, Marvel and DC Comics.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and support the NPD team (mid‑level and junior product developers), ensuring projects are delivered to the right standard, on time and in line with commercial goals.
- Drive innovation and trend awareness, identifying opportunities for new product ideas and supporting the team to translate insights into commercially viable concepts.
- Oversee the full NPD process across multiple brands and categories – from concept development and briefing through to artwork, sampling, approval and launch.
- Work strategically with the Head of Creative to shape product direction, improve processes and support long‑term category planning.
- Manage the critical path, ensuring deadlines are met and proactively resolving risks or delays with HK Merchandising, Supply Chain and Design.
- Ensure accuracy and quality across artwork, specifications, samples and approvals, stepping in where senior escalation is needed.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with Sales, Lead Designer, Supply Chain and HK teams to deliver strong ranges aligned to customer needs.
- Support customer meetings and presentations, showcasing product direction and development thinking when required.
- Maintain strong commercial awareness, ensuring products meet margin targets and align with customer and market expectations.
- Champion continuous improvement, helping enhance processes, ways of working and team efficiency within the Creative function.
Qualifications
- 8+ years’ experience in product development within giftware, lifestyle, toys, stationery, homeware, FMCG or licensed consumer products.
- Proven experience managing and leading NPD teams, ideally across multiple levels (Senior, Mid‑level and Junior Developers).
- Confidence working at a strategic level supporting planning, range direction, process improvements and wider departmental needs.
- Ability to balance hands‑on day‑to‑day development with high‑level oversight of projects, teams and category direction.
- Strong understanding of Far East manufacturing, production timelines, costing considerations and quality expectations.
- A commercial mindset, with the ability to make informed decisions that support customer needs, margin targets and business strategy.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to collaborate across Creative, Sales, Supply Chain and HK teams.
- A proactive, solutions‑driven approach, able to problem‑solve, support team escalations and keep development on track.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast‑paced, trend‑led environment.
Benefits
- Flexible hours, hybrid working, 25 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays), additional wellbeing days, Christmas closure and a shorter day on your birthday.
- Community‑focused culture with a Social Committee, fully funded events, team socials and activities.
- Paid medical appointment time, free eye tests and flu vaccinations, wellbeing resources, Mental Health First Aiders and Cycle to Work options.
- Financial wellbeing support: 35% staff discount on Paladone & WeCool products, retail savings, tech and furniture schemes, discounted legal services, access to financial advisers and an NHS Top‑Up plan.
- Annual pay reviews, bonuses, long service awards, peer recognition and a referral‑friend scheme.
- Tailored development plans, funded training, professional qualifications, ILM leadership programmes and access to Litmos and LinkedIn Learning.
Next Steps
If you are ready to join the Paladone team, click apply and submit your resume and cover letter. We aim to respond to all applicants within 10 working days. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability or veteran status.
Lead New Product Developer (Maternity Cover) in Shoreham-by-Sea employer: Occupop
Paladone is an award-winning global business located in Shoreham-by-Sea, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and development. With flexible working hours, generous holiday allowances, and a strong focus on community engagement, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. The company’s commitment to innovation and collaboration, alongside opportunities for tailored training and career growth, makes it an exceptional employer for those passionate about product development in the lifestyle and giftware sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead New Product Developer (Maternity Cover) in Shoreham-by-Sea
✨Connect with Product Management Communities
Dive into online communities like Product School or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. This can help you build relationships and visibility in the product management scene, plus you might hear about temp roles before they even get posted!
✨Attend Industry Meetups and Workshops
Check out local meetups or workshops specifically targeted at product management. These gatherings are prime spots to meet hiring managers and fellow practitioners. Plus, they often lead to connections that can help you land temporary roles.
✨Showcase Your Work with a Portfolio
Even if you're after a temporary gig, having a solid portfolio is key! Include case studies of past projects, highlighting your role and how you drove product success. Use platforms like Behance to display your work visually.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you spot a temp role like Lead New Product Developer (Maternity Cover) at Occupop, go straight to their website to apply. Direct applications often have a better chance of standing out since they show commitment. It's worth the extra effort, trust us!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead New Product Developer (Maternity Cover) in Shoreham-by-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Sense:In product management, we want to see your understanding of user needs and business value. When you're crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight specific products you've worked on, the methodologies you used, and how those experiences shaped your product sense. If you have insights into user journey mapping, competitive analysis, or product lifecycle, make sure to feature them!
Highlight Relevant Experience:For a temporary role, employers often look for candidates who can hit the ground running. Make sure your written application showcases not just your past roles, but also specific outcomes you've driven. Don't shy away from using metrics—how did your contributions impact the product or team? We love when you quantify your achievements!
Be Ready to Adapt:Temporary positions can often lead to quick changes in direction. In your cover letter, convey your adaptability and eagerness to learn. Mention any experiences where you’ve had to pivot or adjust your approach to meet project goals. Talk about how you thrive in dynamic environments—it'll really resonate with us at Occupop!
Link to Your Portfolio:If you've worked on product roadmaps, user stories, or any visualisations, link to your portfolio in your application. Even a personal project that demonstrates your skills as a product manager can show your proactive approach. It's a great way for us to see your work in action and understand your style. And remember, apply through our website to make it easier for us to find you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Occupop
✨Show Off Your Product Knowledge
Make sure we can discuss the product lifecycle with confidence! Be ready to showcase your understanding of key concepts in product management, such as roadmap planning and user research. We want to hear about any tools you're familiar with, like JIRA or Trello, as they’re popular in this space!
✨Agile Mindset is Key
As a temporary role, they'll want us to hit the ground running. Brush up on Agile methodologies and be prepared for scenario-based questions where you might need to demonstrate how you'd handle shifting priorities or tight deadlines. Show that you can think on your feet and adapt quickly!
✨Bring Your Portfolio of Projects
If you've got any product projects up your sleeve—be it case studies or live examples—bring them along! For a temporary position, they’re going to want to see tangible results from your previous work, so don't hold back on demonstrating how you've made an impact in past roles.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
They’ll be looking to see how you articulate your ideas, so practice your pitch! Make sure we can summarise complex product requirements into clear, understandable language. Being able to express yourself well is vital in product management, especially in a temporary role where quick collaboration is essential!
