Job Description:NPD & Innovation Manager
Product & Innovation Manager
Location: Flexible / HybridReporting to: Head of Technical, NPD & Compliance
About Us
At Pets, we’re passionate about making lives better for pets and the people who love them. From nutrition to accessories, we’re committed to developing high-quality, innovative own-brand products that deliver real value and make pet care simpler, better, and more rewarding.
We’re now looking for a Product & Innovation Manager to help shape the future of our product range.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity to bring creativity, insight, and commercial thinking together. As part of our Technical & Product Process team, you’ll translate trends and customer needs into standout products that enhance our own-brand proposition.
You’ll work collaboratively across our Product, Trading, Merchandising, and Supply teams-alongside our suppliers-to turn ideas into reality, ensuring our products are not only innovative but easy for customers to shop and love.
What you’ll be doing
Identify emerging pet care trends and turn them into exciting new product opportunitiesLead end-to-end product development, from concept through to launchPartner closely with suppliers to deliver NPD on time and to the highest standardEnsure smooth progression through stage gate processes and critical path timelinesConduct competitor benchmarking and gap analysis to keep us ahead of the marketEnsure products meet both customer expectations and commercial targetsSupport product testing, including palatability and consumer feedbackWork with internal teams to deliver a clear, compelling range propositionStay up to date with industry trends, innovation and regulatory changesSupport onboarding and development of new supplier partnershipsWhat we’re looking for
Proven experience (5+ years) in product developmentStrong understanding of end-to-end product lifecycle-from raw materials to shelfExperience working with suppliers and managing development processesKnowledge of food/product safety standards (e.g. HACCP)Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance cost and qualityA creative mindset with a passion for innovation and improving pet productsSkills that will help you succeed
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skillsHighly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projectsProactive and solutions-focused mindsetStrong attention to detail and ability to anticipate challengesConfident presenting ideas and influencing decisionsA true team player who thrives in a collaborative environmentWhy join Pets?
Be part of a business that genuinely cares about pets and their wellbeingPlay a key role in shaping innovative products loved by millions of customersWork in a collaborative, supportive environment where your ideas matterOpportunity to make a visible impact across our stores and onlineReady to apply?
If you’re passionate about product innovation and want to help create products that pets (and their owners) love, we’d love to hear from you.
Pets just see people. They aren’t biased and they don’t discriminate. We take our inspiration from pets, and we value and respect difference in all its forms. Our aim is to reflect the diversity of the communities we operate in, and every colleague can help us achieve this. We encourage our people to be themselves so even if your skills and experience don’t perfectly align, if you think you can make a unique contribution through your values and behaviours, we want to hear from you!
#LI-DNI
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