Product Development Manager
Location: Ely, Cambridgeshire
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
The Opportunity
Interaction Recruitment is delighted to be supporting 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
Product Development & Roadmap Management
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.
Supplier Sourcing & Relationship 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.
Product Development
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.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
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.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
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.
Apply Now
If you have a passion for product development and are looking for an opportunity to make a real impact within an innovative and growing organisation, we'd love to hear from you.
Please submit your CV together with details of your current notice period and salary expectations here or submit them to or call (phone number removed) for a confidential chat.
INDPB