Head of Product – Lead Innovation at the Forefront of Automation Location: Manchester (with UK and occasional international travel) Full-time | Senior Leadership | Competitive Salary Benefits About the Company: Our client is a well-established leader in automation and control systems, serving industrial and commercial markets across the UK and beyond. With a heritage of over 65 years, they’ve built a reputation for delivering cutting-edge products, exceptional customer support, and unmatched technical expertise. Now, they’re looking for a strategic and hands-on Head of Product to shape the future of their product portfolio and drive sustainable growth across UK and international markets. This role will take ownership of their product vision and lead a multi-functional team to new heights. The Opportunity: As Head of Product, you’ll be at the forefront of product strategy, lifecycle management, and technical leadership. You’ll oversee teams across Technical & Production, Quality, Purchasing, and Sustainability, working cross-functionally to deliver a market-leading product portfolio that meets customer needs, compliance standards, and sustainability goals. This role is a key player in the Senior Leadership Team—shaping direction, driving innovation, and ensuring commercial success. What You’ll Be Doing: * Develop and execute the long-term product vision and roadmap aligned to business goals. * Own the full product lifecycle—from development and improvement to quality, compliance, and marketing. * Champion a customer-first, innovation-led culture that brings first-to-market solutions. * Use data and market feedback to shape commercially competitive, compliant, and sustainable products. * Lead a high-performing team across technical, quality, purchasing, and sustainability functions. * Act as a key player in the Senior Management Team, influencing overall strategy and direction. * Strengthen supplier and customer partnerships to enhance global reach, especially in Europe, the Middle East, and emerging markets. * Ensure governance excellence with robust compliance, certification, and risk management processes. What You’ll Bring: * Proven experience managing complex B2B product portfolios * Leadership of technical or engineering teams, ideally within construction, automation, or manufacturing * Strong understanding of product compliance, certification, and governance * A strategic mindset balanced with hands-on execution * Exceptional commercial awareness—able to balance innovation, cost, and margin * A collaborative leadership style that brings people together to deliver results Why Apply? * A strategic leadership role with real influence * A forward-thinking, supportive leadership team * Opportunity to lead innovation in a growing, future-focused industry * A culture that values sustainability, quality, and customer success * Competitive salary benefits travel opportunities Ready to Lead the Future of Automation? If you're a commercially astute, technically-savvy leader who thrives on innovation and collaboration, we want to hear from you. Apply now and take your next bold step as Head of Product. About 1492 Search In a nutshell – We discover great people! Created with the belief that the process is just as necessary as the opportunity, we decided there was a better recruitment method. Working solely in the manufacturing and engineering industry, we work on retained projects to provide accountability for every hire we make with you. We connect candidates and hiring managers, provide in-depth project management plans and advise through up to date market research. No two hires are the same, and that’s why each project is adapted to your needs. We aim to take the stress out of the hiring process and focus on the job at hand! We aim to reply to all applications, successful or not, within 2 working days of applying for the role. If you are not happy with the service, please feel free to give us a call or drop us an email. 1492 Ltd and its clients promote a policy of equal opportunities. Our policy is to treat job applicants and employees in the same way regardless of age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, religion, colour or disability