At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development from concept to creation, ensuring innovation and quality.
- Company: Join Troubadour, a fast-growing B Corp redefining performance bags.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, dynamic team culture, and opportunities for creativity and growth.
- Other info: Be part of a passionate team that values bold ideas and sustainability.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sustainable design while pushing creative boundaries.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years in product development with strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: London (Hybrid) or Yorkshire (Hybrid)
Reports To: Chief Product Design Officer
Employment Type: Full-Time
Join Troubadour – Where Ambition Meets Design
We’re Troubadour, creators of performance bags for work and travel. We are redefining how professionals move through the world. Every product pushes the boundaries of comfort, function, and sustainability, from everyday essentials to the world’s first fully circular bag collection.
We’re a fast-growing, founder-led B Corp driven by bold ideas, big ambition, and flawless execution. Our mission is to equip the ambitious to move the world forward.
We’re looking for a Director of Product Development to bring structure, speed, and breakthrough thinking to Troubadour’s product creation process. You’ll lead sourcing, development, and production – ensuring ideas move from concept to finished product with precision, efficiency, and innovation. This role blends creativity with process. You’ll tighten timelines, strengthen communication, elevate quality, and help turn bold design concepts and new materials into commercially successful products.
What You’ll Do
- Product Development Leadership
- Own the end-to-end process – from design handover through sourcing, sampling, and production.
- Build a fast, disciplined, and transparent development system that enables both creativity and consistent delivery.
- Create and manage seasonal line plans, sample schedules, and production milestones to keep development on time and aligned across teams.
- Oversee all pre-production and production approvals, ensuring seamless quality flow through to finished goods.
- Own BOMs and cost sheets, partnering with design and operations to achieve target margins while maintaining product integrity.
- Innovation & Materials
- Source and develop new materials, fabrics, hardware, and trims that enhance performance, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
- Collaborate closely with design and factories to transform creative ideas into technically robust, scalable products.
- Lead testing and validation programs to ensure consistency, durability, and compliance with Troubadour’s quality standards.
- Deliver breakthrough materials, constructions, or product innovations that push the boundaries of performance and circular design.
- Systems & Communication
- Establish clear communication channels between design, operations, and marketing, ensuring accurate and timely product information company-wide.
- Build structured systems for sampling, costing, margin tracking, and production readiness.
- Ensure on-time, on-quality production through rigorous process control and supplier collaboration.
- Drive continuous improvement – embedding learnings from development and production into future cycles.
Who You Are
- 7–10 years’ experience in product development, sourcing, or materials innovation – ideally in premium bags, accessories, or technical performance goods.
- Deep technical knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing methods.
- Proven success managing supplier networks, achieving cost targets, and delivering scalable production quality.
- Strong grasp of sustainability standards, certifications, and material innovation trends.
- Exceptional communicator who translates creative vision into technical and commercial reality.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive – brings clarity, momentum, and accountability to cross-functional teams.
- Curious, collaborative, and driven to push boundaries in design, process, and performance.
Why Troubadour
We’ve grown tenfold in four years by chasing bold ideas and challenging the status quo. At Troubadour, you’ll join a passionate, dynamic team, collaborate in a culture that celebrates creativity, and play a key role in shaping the future of a brand committed to sustainability and growth.
How to Apply
Send your CV and a short note to careers@troubadourgoods.com. Tell us why this role excites you and how you’ve helped teams thrive through connection, clarity, and care.
Director of Product Development in City of London employer: Troubadour
At Troubadour, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions creativity and sustainability in product development. Our hybrid work model in vibrant locations like London and Yorkshire fosters a collaborative environment where employees can thrive, while our commitment to professional growth ensures that every team member has the opportunity to innovate and excel. Join us to be part of a passionate team that is redefining the future of performance bags and making a meaningful impact in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Product Development in City of 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 Troubadour!
✨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 Troubadour 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 Troubadour through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Product Development in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Director of Product Development, 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 Director of Product Development position at Troubadour. 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 Troubadour
✨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.
