At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to launch, managing multiple projects and stakeholders.
- Company: Join a growing and ambitious consumer products company with a hands-on culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, 33 days leave, private medical insurance, and pension.
- Other info: Hybrid/remote work available with occasional travel to Christchurch, Dorset.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing innovative consumer products.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Our client is looking for an organised, commercially minded and proactive Product Development Manager.
This is a hands-on role for someone who takes ownership, gets into the detail and makes things happen.
You will manage a varied portfolio of consumer products from initial customer brief and concept through to successful commercial launch for leading UK retailers.
You should have proven experience managing product development projects within a fast-paced consumer product environment, with experience working directly with major UK retailers.
Experience within food manufacturing, retailer own-label/private-label and branded products is ideal.
The Role of New
- Product
- Development
Manager: As Product Development Manager, you will own the full product development lifecycle, taking projects from initial customer brief and concept through sourcing, sampling, packaging, artwork, production and final launch.
You will manage multiple projects simultaneously, owning detailed Critical Paths, coordinating internal and external stakeholders, identifying risks and delays early and driving actions through to completion.
You will also manage the customer relationship throughout development, ensuring briefs and feedback are understood, expectations are managed and products are delivered to the required specification, quality, cost and launch date.
The role requires someone who is comfortable getting into the detail, solving problems and taking responsibility for keeping projects moving.
You will also support new product development by using customer insight, market trends, competitor activity and supplier innovation to identify commercially viable opportunities.
Key Responsibilities for New
- Product
- Development
Manager
- Manage product development projects from initial customer brief through to successful commercial launch.
- Build, manage and own detailed Critical Paths, ensuring key milestones and launch dates are achieved.
- Work directly with leading UK retailers, managing briefs, feedback, presentations, approvals and day-to-day communication.
- Lead and coordinate suppliers, manufacturers and internal teams including Commercial, Technical, Operations, Procurement, Packaging and Supply Chain.
- Manage customer meetings, product presentations, sampling, development reviews and approval processes.
- Manage sourcing, sampling, specifications, packaging, artwork, approvals and production activities.
- Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure all required approvals and sign-offs are completed
- Identify project risks, delays and issues early and drive solutions through to resolution.
- Conduct competitor benchmarking, market reviews and store visits to identify product opportunities.
- Support customer presentations, innovation workshops and ideation sessions. Essential Experience & Skills for New Product Development Manager:
* To be considered for this role, candidates should have
- Proven experience as a Product Development Manager, Product Manager, NPD Manager or similar role within a consumer products environment.
- Experience managing products from initial concept through to successful commercial launch.
- Experience working directly with major UK retailers, ideally within retailer own-label/private-label.
- Strong project management skills, including managing multiple complex Critical Paths against fixed deadlines.
- A hands-on approach, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to take ownership and drive projects through to completion.
- Strong understanding of sourcing, sampling, specifications, packaging, artwork, production and launch.
- Strong customer, supplier and stakeholder management skills.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to balance customer requirements, quality, cost and timing.
- Strong problem-solving, organisation and communication skills.
- Full UK driving licence.
- What
- Our
- Client
Offers: Our client wants to attract and retain great people and offer a competitive package alongside the opportunity to be part of a growing and ambitious business.
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
- Discretionary bonus scheme.
- 33 days' annual leave, including bank holidays.
- Private medical insurance.
- Company pension scheme.
- The opportunity to join a growing business where you can make a genuine impact and contribute to its continued development.
HYBRID / REMOTE WORKING ON OFFER WITH TRAVEL TO CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET TWICE A MONTH AT A MINIMUM
New Product Development Manager in Christchurch employer: The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd
Join a prestigious Aerospace company in Verwood as a Despatch Manager, where you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to high standards, this role offers the opportunity to lead a dedicated team while ensuring customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Enjoy competitive salary packages and a culture that values accountability and teamwork, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful career growth.
Contact Details:
The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land New Product Development Manager in Christchurch
✨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 The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd!
✨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 The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd 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 The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace New Product Development Manager in Christchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like New Product Development Manager, 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 New Product Development Manager position at The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd. 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 The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd
✨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.
