Product Development Manager

Product Development Manager

Location: Ely, CambridgeshireJob Type: Permanent, Full-TimeSalary: Competitive, dependent on experience

The Opportunity

Interaction Recruitment is delighted to support a market‑leading specialist manufacturer and distributor within the pet care sector in the search for an experienced Product Development Manager.

This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially minded product professional to take ownership of the full product development lifecycle, bringing innovative products to market across a diverse range of categories. Working closely with internal stakeholders and global manufacturing partners, you will play a key role in shaping future product ranges and driving innovation within a well‑established international business.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of an agreed product development roadmap, managing projects from concept through to launch.
• Develop and maintain project timelines, milestones, and delivery schedules.
• Monitor progress across multiple concurrent projects and proactively manage risks and delays.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports to senior management.
• Work collaboratively with purchasing and procurement teams to identify and engage suitable suppliers.
• Source and evaluate new manufacturing partners, including international suppliers.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships throughout the product development process.
• Manage supplier communications, expectations, and project deliverables from briefing through to final approval.
• Create detailed product specifications, technical briefs, and costing models.
• Coordinate sampling, prototyping, testing, and product refinement activities.
• Ensure products meet quality standards, commercial objectives, and brand requirements.
• Manage development across both hard goods and consumable product categories.
• Work closely with technical and compliance teams to ensure products meet relevant regulatory and certification requirements.
• Support product testing and certification processes for UK, EU, and international markets.
• Partner with marketing, sales, operations, and purchasing teams to support successful product launches.
• Contribute to packaging development, product positioning, and launch planning.
• Gather market intelligence, customer feedback, and competitor insights to support future product strategies.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging innovations to identify new product opportunities.

About You

• Proven experience managing end‑to‑end product development or new product development (NPD) projects.
• Experience working with suppliers and manufacturers, including international sourcing.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of costing, pricing, and margin management.
• Knowledge of product compliance and certification processes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• A proactive and solution‑focused approach to problem‑solving.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in product development, engineering, design, business, or a related discipline.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience with UKCA, CE, FCC, UL, ETL, or equivalent compliance standards.
• Knowledge or interest in the pet care, specialist animal care, or related consumer goods sectors.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee discount.
• Hybrid working opportunities.
• On‑site parking.
• Genuine ownership and autonomy within the role.
• Opportunity to influence product strategy and innovation.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Long‑term career development within a growing and successful business.

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