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- Tasks: Lead product development and innovation strategy for exciting global publishing projects.
- Company: Quarto creates inspiring books for all ages, published worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days holiday, hybrid work, health plans, and staff discounts.
- Why this job: Join a creative team driving innovation in publishing with a focus on impact and excellence.
- Qualifications: 4-5 years in product development, project management skills, and a strong supplier network required.
- Other info: Inclusive employer committed to diversity and accessibility in the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 64400 £ per year.
Are you excited by innovation and inspired by possibility? Can you balance creativity with commercial thinking to bring product ideas to reality at pace and in profit? Quarto creates inspiring books for adults and children published across the globe. As our Product Development Lead, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring we stay at the forefront of publishing innovation to drive sales and maximise both our profile and profit.
Contract: Full time, permanent position. From £46,000 per year. Working hours: Your standard working hours will be 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 09.30 am to 5.30 pm. We currently operate a discretionary hybrid model, with three days in our London office and two working from home.
About the role: As our Product Development Lead you will pioneer our innovation strategy to deliver exciting, interesting, and profitable products to our global audience. You will be instrumental in achieving our ambition of best in class for innovation and award-winning product.
What you will be involved in:
- Managing end to end Product Development / R&D across all imprints
- Defining scope and critical path for projects (including rule out milestones)
- Implementing handover documentation and process for live titles
- Driving creativity and innovation through workshops, seminars, and education
- Enhancing communication and collaboration between departments
- Leading R&D meetings and putting tracking systems in place for Quarto
- Providing training, skills development, and mentoring for the Production department
About you: You will be a master of product development with a proven track record of safe and successful product delivery. You will be highly organized and detail-oriented with experience in project management and tools to support effective tracking and reporting on projects. You will ideally have 4 – 5 years’ experience in a similar role. You will be independent and resourceful with a calm, solution-focused approach that inspires confidence and trust. You will bring a strong network of suppliers and printers, with the ability to engage with them on innovations and cutting-edge solutions.
Key competencies:
- Be creative in your thinking and problem solving
- Streamline processes and improve speed from conception to final specification and delivery of products
- Demonstrate expertise in safety testing and relevant legislative requirements in a global consumer market
- Bring knowledge and experience of global print and component suppliers
- Become a trusted advisor to stakeholders; able to influence and add value
- Establish and maintain relationships with the Production Director and SLT via transparent communication and oversight of your business area
- Establish and maintain organisational excellence
What we can offer: A supportive, open environment with development opportunities, as well as the following benefits: 25 days paid holiday per year (increasing up to 30 days per year), plus bank holidays, Cultural appreciation day (to honour a cultural holiday which is significant to you, separate from your holiday entitlement), Employee Assistance Programme, Staff discounts on selected shops, retailers, and restaurants, Health Cash Plan, Pension, Cycle to Work scheme, Summer hours, Active social and diversity committees.
How to apply: Please send a CV and cover letter to [email] by the closing date and state the vacancy name in the email subject title. Ensure you cover the following: Your motivation and what appeals to you about this particular role, what key skills, experience, and achievements you have that you think are relevant to this role, and why. Please provide examples of how you have used or demonstrated those. Where you saw the vacancy advertised.
All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for the vacancy. We employ individuals based on their abilities and welcome applicants from all backgrounds regardless of disability, ethnic origin, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, belief, age, or sexual orientation. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we aim to ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for disabled people. Therefore, we encourage you to inform us of any reasonable adjustments you may require during your interview process. Please note, you only need to disclose information that you are comfortable sharing in order for us to accommodate your request. Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we will only be able to respond to candidates selected for interview.
UK Product Development Lead employer: The Quarto Group
Contact Detail:
The Quarto Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Product Development Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the publishing industry, especially those involved in product development. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in innovation.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Quarto's existing product lines and their approach to innovation. This will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your understanding of their market position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed product development projects in the past. Highlight your ability to balance creativity with commercial thinking, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your knowledge of global print and component suppliers. Being able to discuss innovative solutions and how you've engaged with suppliers in previous roles can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Product Development Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product development and project management. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your creativity and commercial thinking, as these are key for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your motivation for applying to this specific role at Quarto. Discuss what excites you about their innovation strategy and how your skills align with their goals.
Provide Specific Examples: When discussing your key skills and experiences, use concrete examples that showcase your ability to manage end-to-end product development and drive innovation. This will help illustrate your fit for the position.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you include all requested information in your application, such as where you found the vacancy and any relevant qualifications. Adhering to the application guidelines shows attention to detail, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Quarto Group
✨Showcase Your Creativity
As a Product Development Lead, creativity is key. Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven innovation in past roles. Think about projects where your creative solutions led to successful product launches.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Skills
Highlight your experience with project management tools and methodologies. Be ready to explain how you've managed end-to-end product development, including defining scopes and critical paths for projects.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
This role requires strong communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with stakeholders and influenced decisions in previous positions. Share examples of how you’ve maintained transparency and collaboration across departments.
✨Prepare for Safety and Compliance Questions
Given the importance of safety testing and legislative requirements, brush up on relevant regulations in the publishing industry. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge and experience in ensuring compliance during product development.
