Head of Product Development in Reading

Head of Product Development in Reading

Reading Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Superior Wellness

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product development and innovation for wellness products in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join Superior Wellness, the fastest-growing manufacturer of premium wellness products.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, international travel, performance bonuses, and career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on values like integrity and teamwork.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global product strategy and innovation.
  • Qualifications: Significant experience in product development and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Location: Flexible (UK, Europe or International) with regular international travel.

About Superior Wellness

Superior Wellness is the world's fastest-growing manufacturer and distributor of premium hot tubs, swim spas, Chill Tubs, saunas, and wellness products. We lead the market through innovation, quality, and a customer-first mindset. Operating across multiple international markets, we design, develop, and deliver wellness products that improve people's health and wellbeing. As we continue our ambitious growth journey, we are looking for an experienced product leader to shape the future of our product portfolio and drive innovation across our global brands.

The Role

This is a senior leadership position responsible for Product Development, Engineering, Innovation, and Regulatory Compliance across the Superior Wellness product portfolio. Reporting directly to the COO, you will lead our Product Development and R&D function, working closely with global manufacturing partners across China and Europe while influencing product strategy across multiple international brands. The role combines strategic product leadership with technical expertise, commercial awareness, and operational delivery. You will be responsible for shaping future products, improving existing ranges, and bringing innovative wellness solutions to market. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact within a fast-growing international business where decisions are made quickly, innovation is encouraged, and great ideas become reality.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and deliver the company's product development strategy and multi-year product roadmap.
  • Lead innovation, new product development, and continuous product improvement initiatives.
  • Own and continually improve the company's stage-gate NPD process.
  • Lead supplier and factory development activities across China, Portugal, and other international manufacturing locations.
  • Oversee tooling development, prototype approval, sample sign-off, BOM accuracy, and production readiness.
  • Manage product compliance and regulatory requirements across UK, European, North American, and international markets.
  • Use dealer feedback, customer insight, warranty data, market trends, and competitor analysis to drive future product development.
  • Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Purchasing, Quality, and Aftersales teams to ensure successful product launches.
  • Drive product cost optimisation, margin improvement, and value engineering initiatives.
  • Own the Product Development and R&D budget, including tooling investment, testing expenditure, and business case development.
  • Build and develop a high-performing product and innovation team.
  • Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and opportunities that support the long-term growth strategy of the business.

Key Success Measures

  • Successful delivery of agreed new product development projects.
  • Reduction in warranty claims and field failures.
  • Product margin improvement.
  • Cost reduction through design and engineering improvements.
  • Reduced time-to-market.
  • Increased customer satisfaction.
  • Successful delivery of the product roadmap.
  • Product range optimisation and profitability improvements.
  • BOM accuracy and launch readiness performance.

What We're Looking For

Essential

  • Significant experience in product development, engineering, innovation, or product leadership roles.
  • Experience within consumer products, wellness products, leisure products, electrical products, household products, pools, spas, or other manufacturing-led industries.
  • Proven track record of delivering products from concept through to commercial launch.
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing, product industrialisation, and supplier management.
  • Experience working with international suppliers and manufacturing partners.
  • Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance innovation, quality, cost, and operational delivery.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
  • Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and scaling business environment.

Desirable

  • Experience with connected products, automation, IoT, or smart technologies.
  • Experience working across international manufacturing and sourcing environments.
  • Knowledge of compliance and regulatory requirements across multiple global markets.
  • Experience leading product strategy across multiple brands or product categories.

Our Values

We are a values-driven business built on Discipline, Responsibility, Consistency, Trust, Integrity, and Team. These values shape how we work, how we support one another, and how we serve our customers. We look for people who take ownership, challenge the status quo, support their colleagues, and continually strive to improve. By living our values every day, we maintain the high standards of quality, service, innovation, and customer experience that our customers expect.

Why Join Us?

You'll be joining a fast-growing international business with ambitious plans and the freedom to make a genuine impact. We offer:

  • Performance-related company bonus.
  • Flexible working arrangements.
  • International travel opportunities.
  • Significant influence over product strategy and innovation.
  • Opportunity to shape products sold across multiple global markets.
  • A collaborative and entrepreneurial leadership team.
  • Long-term career development opportunities within a rapidly growing business.

Apply

If you're an experienced product leader with a passion for innovation, product excellence, and bringing market-leading products to life, we'd love to hear from you. Apply via LinkedIn or contact us directly for a confidential conversation.

Head of Product Development in Reading employer: Superior Wellness

At Superior Wellness, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Located in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, our team enjoys the benefits of hybrid working after onboarding, alongside opportunities for international travel and significant career progression within a rapidly expanding global business. Join us to lead product development in a supportive environment where your expertise in SolidWorks will drive the future of wellness products.

Superior Wellness

Contact Details:

Superior Wellness Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Product Development in Reading

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend relevant events, and connect with people on 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. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate; you're the one they need!

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be clear about what you bring to the table and how you can contribute to their product development strategy. Confidence is key, so rehearse your answers to common interview questions until you feel like a rockstar.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Superior Wellness.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Development in Reading

Product Development
Engineering
Innovation
Regulatory Compliance
Supplier Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Project Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Product Development role. Highlight your experience in product development and innovation, and show how it aligns with our values at Superior Wellness.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of successful projects you've led. We want to see how you’ve driven product development from concept to launch and the impact it had on the business.

Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value integrity and authenticity, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for wellness products and how you can contribute to our mission.

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you can easily keep track of your progress.

How to prepare for a job interview at Superior Wellness

Know Your Product Development Strategy

Before the interview, make sure you understand Superior Wellness's product development strategy and how it aligns with their mission. Be ready to discuss your own experiences in developing product roadmaps and how you've successfully brought products from concept to market.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Head of Product Development, you'll need to lead cross-functional teams. Prepare examples of how you've influenced senior stakeholders and managed teams in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and how you've fostered collaboration in fast-paced environments.

Demonstrate Commercial Awareness

Superior Wellness values a strong understanding of commercial dynamics. Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced innovation with cost and quality in past projects. Bring insights on market trends and competitor analysis that could benefit their product portfolio.

Emphasise Your International Experience

Given the global nature of the role, highlight any experience you have working with international suppliers or manufacturing partners. Discuss how you've navigated regulatory requirements across different markets and how this knowledge can help Superior Wellness expand its reach.