At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global product strategy and drive innovation for industry-leading tools.
- Company: Join OX Tools, a dynamic brand passionate about empowering tradespeople.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 23 days holiday, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing global brand with exciting career opportunities.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in product management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At OX Tools, we’re not just about tools, we’re about building something bigger.
At OX Tools, our vision is to bring the strength of the OX to every tradesperson through passion, design, and relentless pursuit of innovation.
Our tools are instinctively recognised as Tough, Dynamic, Different and so are our people.
THE ROLE
The Product Director is responsible for defining and executing OX's global product strategy, ensuring the business continues to deliver industry-leading products that drive sustainable revenue growth, market leadership, and customer loyalty.
Leading the Product function, the Product Director oversees product strategy, portfolio management, innovation, new product development, and lifecycle optimisation across global markets.
By combining customer insight, market intelligence, commercial acumen, and technical understanding, the role identifies opportunities that drive revenue growth, improve profitability, and strengthen the OX brand.
The Product Director works collaboratively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business strategy into actionable product initiatives, ensuring disciplined investment decisions, efficient product development, and successful product launches.
Through strong leadership, governance, and continuous improvement, the role builds organisational capability and creates a high-performing product function that delivers sustainable competitive advantage.
- KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Strategic Product Leadership
- Define and execute the company's global product vision.
- Develop multi-year product strategies aligned with corporate objectives.
- Identify market opportunities, customer needs, and future industry trends.
- Build and maintain a product roadmap that supports sustainable growth.
- Recommend strategic investments across existing and emerging categories.
- Ensure product decisions support long-term business objectives.
- Portfolio Management
- Establish the innovation strategy for the organisation.
- Lead the global new product development pipeline.
- Promote innovative thinking across all product teams.
- Own the product lifecycle strategy, ensuring products remain competitive and commercially viable from launch through end-of-life.
- Drive portfolio profitability by evaluating product performance, margin improvement opportunities, and investment priorities.
- Oversee end-of-life planning and product transition strategies to maximise customer value while minimising business risk.
- Commercial Performance
- Develop and execute product strategies that drive revenue growth, market share, and long-term profitability.
- Lead product investment decisions through robust business cases, financial analysis, and market opportunity assessments.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and customer insights to inform commercial strategy and product direction.
- Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Finance to develop pricing strategies, product positioning, and go-to-market plans.
- Drive product portfolio performance, ensuring commercial objectives and return on investment (ROI) targets are achieved
- Innovation & New Product Development
- Lead the global NPD process from concept through commercial launch.
- Drive product innovation by delivering solutions that balance functionality, durability, user experience, and commercial viability.
- Partner with Industrial Designers and cross-functional teams to develop innovative, practical, and commercially successful products.
- Establish and continuously improve NPD processes that accelerate innovation without compromising quality, cost, or time to market.
- Evaluate materials, manufacturing methods, ergonomics, and construction techniques to optimise product performance and manufacturability.
- Review prototypes and testing outcomes to refine product performance.
- People Leadership & Capability
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Product team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Coach and mentor Product Managers, Product Designers, and other team members to strengthen capability and support career growth.
- Establish clear roles, performance expectations, and development plans aligned with business objectives.
- Drive talent development, succession planning, and capability-building to ensure the long-term success of the Product function.
- Foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and best practice across global Product teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
- Lead the recruitment, and retention of high-performing Product talent.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Align Product with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service.
- Facilitate strategic decision-making across departments.
- Resolve competing priorities while maintaining business objectives.
- Ensure products are commercially, operationally, and technically ready for market.
- Product Quality & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate product performance and recommend design improvements.
- Maintain accurate product specifications, CAD files, drawings, and technical documentation.
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the product development process.
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Bachelor's degree in Product Design/Management, Industrial Design, Engineering, Business or related discipline.
- 7+ years experience in Product Management, Product Development or Product Leadership.
- 5+ years leading high-performing product teams.
- Demonstrated success managing global product portfolios.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen.
- Experience developing product strategies.
- Proven experience launching commercially successful products.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and global sourcing.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working with international suppliers and factories.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical capability.
Desirable
- MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
- Experience within hand tools, construction, industrial equipment or manufacturing.
- Experience working across multiple international markets.
- Knowledge of LPD principles and methodologies.
- Experience with Stage-Gate product development.
- KEY DELIVERABLES
- Global product strategy successfully executed
- Sustainable innovation pipeline
- Increased revenue from new products
- Improved portfolio profitability
- Strong product roadmap aligned to business strategy
- Successful global product launches
- High-performing Product team
- Improved customer satisfaction
- Enhanced competitive positioning
- Cross-functional alignment across all product initiatives
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
- The opportunity to be part of a growing, ambitious global brand • The chance to grow and develop within the business
- 23 days holiday + birthday + volunteer leave
- Flexible hybrid working (4-5 days in the office)
- Company pension scheme
- A vibrant, supportive team culture
Product Director in London employer: OX Tools
At OX Tools, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive team culture, where innovation and accountability thrive. As a Product Director, you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing product team while enjoying benefits such as flexible hybrid working, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to your professional growth within a growing global brand. Join us in our mission to empower tradespeople with industry-leading tools and be part of a company that values passion, design, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Director 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 OX Tools!
✨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 OX Tools 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 OX Tools through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Director, 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 Product Director position at OX Tools. 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 OX Tools
✨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.
