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- Tasks: Lead product development for high-performance protective workwear and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a leading company in protective workwear with a focus on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of protective wear while driving sustainability and compliance.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in product development with expertise in FR and Electric Arc garments.
- Other info: Collaborate with global partners and contribute to exciting innovations in the industry.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and driven Product Development Manager to lead the product development function across a portfolio of high-performance protective workwear. With 7+ years’ experience in product development, this role blends people leadership, deep technical expertise, and hands-on product ownership. You will take full responsibility for Flame Resistant (FR) and Electric Arc ranges, with potential oversight of a highly specified, feature-led premium range.
Leading a team of Product Developers, you will ensure products are delivered to the highest standards of performance, compliance, quality, and commercial viability, while maintaining robust critical paths and on-time delivery. This is a senior role with significant influence over product strategy and execution.
Key Responsibilities- Product Development Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Product Developers, overseeing workload, priorities, and performance.
- Ensure effective delivery across product research, development, testing, certification, and bulk production.
- Support the Head of Product / Technical function in maintaining best practice development processes, documentation, and technical accuracy.
- Develop team capability through coaching, feedback, and structured knowledge sharing.
- Range Ownership & Technical Expertise
- Take direct ownership of FR and Electric Arc product ranges, acting as the technical authority throughout development and production.
- Oversee a premium, feature-rich range, ensuring products meet performance, compliance, and commercial requirements.
- Lead technical decision-making on complex materials, constructions, and performance specifications.
- Ensure all products are fit for purpose and aligned with brand positioning and customer expectations.
- Product Research & Innovation
- Drive innovation through market research, competitor analysis, and evaluation of new materials, technologies, and garment features.
- Work closely with fabric mills and suppliers to develop materials that enhance performance, durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
- Oversee fabric treatments and advanced garment technologies where required.
- Manage cost prices to achieve margin targets across all ranges.
- Identify and mitigate technical risks early to protect compliance and delivery timelines.
- Critical Path & Delivery Management
- Own and manage product critical paths across all ranges.
- Monitor progress across sampling, testing, certification, and production, proactively resolving risks and delays.
- Provide regular status updates to senior leadership, adapting priorities as required.
- Ensure strong 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 records.
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and version control across all specifications and compliance documentation.
- Support sampling, fit sessions, and pre-production approvals, particularly for complex or high-risk products.
- Standards, Compliance & Ethics
- Ensure compliance with relevant standards including EN ISO 20471, RIS 3279 TOM, EN 343, ISO 13688, and applicable FR and Electric Arc standards.
- Maintain strong relationships with testing houses and certification bodies.
- Monitor changes in regulations and standards, leading implementation across existing and future products.
- Support organisational commitments to ethical, sustainable, and compliant product development.
- Supply Chain & External Collaboration
- Support the identification, onboarding, and qualification of factories and suppliers.
- Build strong technical relationships with global manufacturing partners to ensure product consistency and quality.
- Collaborate with trim and component suppliers on new developments and innovations.
- Contribute to 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 accurate technical product information for launches and campaigns.
- Participate in product sign-off meetings, sales meetings, and internal presentations as required.
- Proven experience in a senior Product Development role within protective workwear.
- Essential expertise in FR and Electric Arc protective garments.
- Strong knowledge of EN standards, certification processes, and technical file submission.
- Experience leading and developing Product Developers or technical teams.
- In-depth understanding of textile performance, garment construction, and testing for protective wear.
- Commercial awareness, with experience managing costs, margins, and product viability.
- Experience working with global supply chains across Asia, China, and Europe.
- Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple ranges and complex critical paths.
- Confident communicator, comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and external partners.
- High attention to detail and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
- Strong interest in sustainability, compliance, and ethical product development.
Product Development Manager employer: Redwood Search
Contact Detail:
Redwood Search 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 engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products thoroughly. Understand their values, recent developments, and challenges in the protective workwear sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience in product development, especially around FR and Electric Arc ranges. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've driven innovation in past roles to make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search and eager to join our team.
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 Flame Resistant and Electric Arc products. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a deep understanding of compliance standards and garment performance, so let that shine through!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for product innovation and sustainability, and how your leadership style can drive our team forward. Make it personal and engaging!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Redwood Search
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of Flame Resistant and Electric Arc protective workwear. Familiarise yourself with the latest standards, materials, and technologies in the industry. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and mentoring teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you supported your team through them. This is crucial as the role involves managing a team of Product Developers.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss how you've identified and mitigated technical risks in past projects. Use concrete examples to illustrate your proactive approach to ensuring compliance and meeting delivery timelines. This will resonate well with their focus on critical path management.
✨Align with Their Values
Research the company's commitment to sustainability and ethical product development. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and share any relevant experiences that showcase your dedication to these principles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who fits their culture.
