At a Glance
- Tasks: Own product categories from concept to launch, balancing creativity with commercial savvy.
- Company: Dynamic retail company in Greater Manchester offering hybrid working.
- Benefits: Competitive salary around £45,000 and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by developing products that customers love.
- Qualifications: Experience in product development and strong commercial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 42500 - 47500 £ per year.
We're on the lookout for a Product Developer who will take ownership of multiple product categories, managing the full lifecycle from concept and sourcing through to launch, trading and ongoing performance! This role combines product development, category management and supply chain management. Meaning that we require someone who can balance creativity with strong commercial decision-making. The successful candidate will work closely with suppliers and internal teams to deliver commercially successful products and maximise account performance.
What we're really looking for in someone:
- Experience within Product Development or Own Label Buying
- Experience managing products from concept through to launch.
- Strong commercial awareness with experience managing pricing, margins and supplier negotiations.
- Experience working directly with suppliers and manufacturers.
- Ability to analyse sales and performance data to support decision making.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Confident communicator with strong presentation and influencing skills.
- Experience within hardlines; i.e homewares, gifting, toys, lifestyle or general consumer goods.
- Exposure to international sourcing and supplier management.
Personal Attributes:
- Commercially minded with a strong understanding of product and trading.
- Passionate about creating and developing products that customers love.
- Curious, proactive and opportunity-focused.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Ambitious and motivated by personal and business growth.
- Hands-on approach with a willingness to take ownership and drive results.
- Collaborative and relationship-focused, with the humility to learn, listen and work effectively with others.
- Resilient and adaptable, able to manage changing priorities and deadlines.
The Role & Key Responsibilities:
- Own and develop product categories, ensuring ranges are commercially balanced and aligned to business objectives.
- Lead the end-to-end product development process from concept through to launch.
- Build and manage product ranges with clear pricing architecture and margin targets.
- Manage the full product lifecycle including sampling, approvals, costing and production handover.
- Conduct market research, competitor analysis and trend reviews to identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Ensure products meet quality, commercial and customer expectations.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with domestic and international suppliers.
- Work closely with suppliers to create and develop own-label products.
- Manage supplier negotiations covering cost prices, lead times, MOQs and commercial terms.
- Monitor supplier performance to ensure quality, service and delivery standards are maintained.
- Identify new supplier opportunities and manufacturing capabilities to support future growth.
- Travel to suppliers and trade exhibitions where required.
- Monitor category sales, stock and performance on a daily and weekly basis.
- Analyse sales and market data to inform product and trading decisions.
- Identify risks and opportunities within the category and implement actions to maximise performance.
- Manage pricing and margin performance in line with business objectives.
- Support forecasting and range planning activities alongside Merchandising and Planning teams.
Kodér in Edenfield employer: Zachary Daniels
Join a dynamic and innovative team in Greater Manchester as a Product Developer, where you'll enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Our collaborative culture fosters creativity and personal growth, offering you the chance to take ownership of product categories while working closely with suppliers and internal teams. With competitive compensation and opportunities for professional development, we are committed to helping you thrive in a fast-paced retail environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kodér in Edenfield
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Zachary Daniels, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Zachary Daniels!
We think you need these skills to ace Kodér in Edenfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Zachary Daniels, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Zachary Daniels and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Zachary Daniels that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
