Job Description
Role Objectives
The Product Development Manager will lead the end-to-end development of innovative and commercially viable power tool accessories. This role is responsible for identifying market opportunities, managing the product lifecycle from concept to launch, and ensuring products meet performance, quality, and profitability / cost targets. The role bridges engineering, marketing, sourcing, and sales to deliver products that strengthen market position and drive revenue growth.
Role Responsibilities
Product Strategy & Development
* Identify new product opportunities through market research, customer insights, and competitor analysis.
* Develop and execute product roadmaps aligned with company strategy.
* Lead the full product lifecycle: concept, design, prototyping, testing, production, and launch.
* Define product specifications including performance, materials, and compliance requirements.
* Liaise with key customers to identify new product ideas and to manage these through to launch.
Project Management
* Manage multiple product development projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines and budgets are met.
* Coordinate projects and liaise with agents, suppliers and internal teams: Procurement, Sales and Marketing
* Maintain clear documentation and stage-gate processes for all development activities.
* Working closely with large national customers to launch new or updated products for them including complying with customer quality, assurance and new product launch process requirements.
Technical & Quality Oversight
* Work closely with agents to ensure products meet technical and safety standards.
* Oversee testing and validation of products, including durability and performance benchmarks.
* Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards and regulations.
Supplier & Manufacturing Coordination
* Collaborate with agents and suppliers to develop cost-effective, high-quality products.
* Carrying out international travel to visit agents, suppliers and factories.
* Support sourcing strategies, including supplier selection and negotiation.
* Monitor supplier production and delivery time frames to ensure new products are delivered on time.
* Processing purchase orders for new products for launch and other products as required.
Customer, Commercial & Market Alignment
* Work with the sales team and customers to identify new product opportunities including own brand, source products and bring to market.
* Liaise with sales and marketing teams to define product positioning, pricing, and launch plans.
* Support go-to-market strategies, including training and product documentation.
* Analyse product performance post-launch and drive continuous improvement.
* Following new product launch, hand over ongoing product ordering to the Procurement team.
Person Specification
Experience & Qualifications
* Degree in Engineering, Product Design, or related field (or equivalent experience)
* Proven experience in product development, ideally within power tools, accessories, or industrial products
* Strong project management experience with a track record of successful product launches
Skills & Competencies
* Strong technical understanding of materials, manufacturing processes, and product design
* Excellent project management and organisational skills
* Commercial awareness with the ability to balance profitability, cost, quality, and performance.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
* Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
* Proficiency in product development tools and systems
Personal Attributes
* Innovative and proactive mindset
* Commercially focused.
* Results-driven with strong attention to detail
* Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
* Collaborative team player with leadership capability
KPI’s
· Successful delivery of new product launches (on time and within budget)
· Revenue and margin contribution individually and in total from new products in line with budgetary targets
· Product development life cycle management
· Product quality metrics (defect rates, returns, warranty claims)
· Profitability targets achieved for new product development
· Innovation pipeline strength (number of viable new concepts generated)
· Compliance with large national customer requirements for quality and assurance requirements
· Customer satisfaction and market acceptance of new products