At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and manage licensed products from concept to launch, ensuring commercial success.
- Company: Dynamic licensing business with a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, genuine career progression, and an empowering work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with globally recognised brands and grow your career.
- Why this job: Join a team where your ideas matter and make a real impact on exciting products.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development or management within a licensing environment.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about developing licensed products and looking for a business where you can genuinely make an impact? We're open to speaking with ambitious product professionals at different stages of their career - whether you're an emerging Junior Product Developer, an experienced Product Developer, or an established Product Manager. What matters most is your commercial mindset, experience within licensed consumer products, and your desire to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
This is an opportunity to join a business with an exceptional culture, inspiring leadership team and an impressive track record of growth. You'll become part of a collaborative team where ideas are valued, ownership is encouraged and success is recognised.
Depending on your experience, you'll take ownership of multiple licensed product categories, managing the product lifecycle from concept and licensing approvals through to launch, trading and ongoing performance. Blending product development, category management and supplier management, this role requires someone who enjoys balancing creativity with commercial thinking while working closely with licensors, suppliers and internal teams to bring exciting products to market.
What We're Looking For:
- Experience within Product Development, Product Management or Own Label Buying, within a licensing environment.
- Experience working with licensed brands and managing the product approval process with licensors.
- Experience managing products from concept through to launch (appropriate to your level).
- Commercial awareness with exposure to pricing, margins and supplier negotiations.
- Experience working with UK and international suppliers and manufacturers.
- Ability to interpret sales and performance data to support commercial decisions.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent organisation with the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Experience within consumer products such as homewares, gifting, toys, lifestyle, stationery or general merchandise.
- Exposure to international sourcing would be advantageous.
You'll Be Someone Who...
- Is commercially minded with a passion for creating products customers genuinely love.
- Enjoys working with well-known brands and bringing licensed products to life.
- Thrives in a fast-moving, ambitious environment.
- Is proactive, curious and eager to learn.
- Takes ownership and enjoys making things happen.
- Builds strong, collaborative relationships with licensors, suppliers and internal teams.
- Is adaptable, resilient and comfortable managing changing priorities.
The Role
- Depending on your experience and level, you'll have the opportunity to develop and manage licensed product categories aligned to commercial objectives.
- Lead the end-to-end product development process from concept through to launch.
- Manage the licensing approval process, ensuring artwork, packaging and products meet brand guidelines.
- Build commercially successful ranges with clear pricing and margin strategies.
- Manage sampling, approvals, costing and production handover.
- Conduct market, competitor and trend analysis to identify new opportunities.
- Ensure products meet quality, commercial, customer and licensor expectations.
- Build and develop strong relationships with licensors, UK and international suppliers.
- Negotiate costs, lead times, MOQs and commercial terms.
- Identify new sourcing opportunities and manufacturing capabilities.
- Monitor sales, stock and category performance, identifying opportunities for growth.
- Analyse trading performance and implement actions to maximise results.
- Support forecasting and range planning alongside Merchandising and Planning teams.
- Attend supplier meetings, licensor meetings and trade shows where required.
What's On Offer
- Salary: £35,000 - £50,000, depending on experience and level.
- Genuine career progression as the business continues to grow.
- An ambitious, entrepreneurial culture where people are trusted and empowered.
- Exceptional leadership team with a proven track record of success.
- The opportunity to make a real commercial impact within a growing licensing business working with globally recognised brands.
Product Specialist in Manchester employer: Zachary Daniels Recruitment
Join a globally recognised business in Manchester as a Strategic Product Director, where you will be part of a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises collaboration and excellence. With competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, the company is committed to employee growth and development, offering unique opportunities to lead high-performing teams and shape impactful product strategies. This role not only promises a rewarding career but also the chance to make a significant difference in a market-leading organisation.
Contact Details:
Zachary Daniels Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Specialist in Manchester
✨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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment!
✨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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment 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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Specialist in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Specialist, 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 Product Specialist position at Zachary Daniels Recruitment. 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 Zachary Daniels Recruitment
✨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.
