Job Description
Product Development Manager
Location: Head Office, PULSAR®, Unit 2 Indurent Park Broomhill, Worcester, WR5 2QR
Contract: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: Monday–Friday, 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid: 1 day per week working from home
Benefits:
* 25 days holiday (plus an additional 5 days after 10 years’ service)
* Company pension scheme
* Free onsite parking
Reporting to: Head of Product, Ethics, Compliance & Sustainability (PECS)
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Product Development Manager (7+ years in Product Development) to lead Pulsar’s product development function across our high-performance protective workwear ranges.
This role combines people leadership, technical expertise, and hands-on product ownership, with specific responsibility for our Flame Resistant (FR) and Electric Arc ranges, and potential oversight of the Evolution range, which represents PULSAR®’s most highly specified and feature-led products.
You will manage and support a team of Product Developers, ensuring products are developed to the highest standards of performance, compliance, quality, and commercial viability, while maintaining robust critical paths and on-time delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
Product Development Leadership
* Lead, mentor, and manage a team of Product Developers, overseeing day-to-day workload, priorities, and performance.
* Ensure Product Developers are effectively delivering their responsibilities across product research, development, testing, certification, and bulk production.
* Supporting Head of PECS in best practice standards for product development processes, documentation, and technical accuracy.
* Support the professional development of the Product Development team through coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing.
Range Ownership & Technical Expertise
* Take direct ownership of PULSAR®’s FR and Electric Arc product ranges, acting as the technical authority throughout development and production.
* Oversee the Evolution range, ensuring highly specified, feature-rich products meet performance, compliance, and commercial requirements.
* Ensure all products are fit for purpose, meet relevant industry standards, and align with brand positioning and customer expectations.
* Lead technical decision-making for complex products, materials, constructions, and performance requirements.
Product Research & Innovation
* Drive innovation across assigned ranges through market research, competitor analysis, and exploration of new materials, technologies, and garment features.
* Work closely with fabric mills and suppliers to source and develop materials that improve performance, durability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
* Oversee fabric treatments and advanced garment technologies where required.
* Ensure cost prices are reviewed and managed to achieve margin targets across all ranges.
* Identify and mitigate technical risks early in the development process, ensuring compliance and on-time delivery.
Critical Path & Delivery Management
* Manage the product critical paths across all ranges, ensuring Product Developers maintain agreed timelines.
* Monitor progress across sampling, testing, certification, and production, proactively addressing risks, delays, and bottlenecks.
* Provide accurate weekly updates to the Head PECS on development status, risks, and mitigation plans. Implement changing prioritises as required by the Head of PECS.
* Ensure cross-functional alignment with Operations, Sales, and Marketing to support successful product launches.
Product Documentation & Specification
* Oversee the creation and accuracy of all product documentation, including BOMs, technical files, test reports, and certification documentation.
* Ensure consistency and accuracy of specifications, labelling, and compliance documentation across all ranges.
* Support and review sampling, fit sessions, and pre-production approvals where required, particularly for complex or high-risk products.
* Ensure robust version control and data accuracy across product documentation.
Standards, Compliance & Ethics
* Ensure all products comply with relevant standards including EN ISO 20471, RIS 3279 TOM, EN 343, ISO 13688, and applicable FR and Electric Arc standards.
* Maintain strong working relationships with testing houses and certification bodies.
* Monitor changes in standards and regulations, assessing impact and leading implementation across existing and future products.
* Work closely with the Head of PECS to ensure products align with PULSAR®’s ethical, sustainability, and compliance commitments.
Supply Chain & External Collaboration
* Support the identification, onboarding, and qualification of new factory partners and suppliers.
* Maintain strong technical relationships with global factories to ensure manufacturing accuracy and product consistency.
* Work with external trim and component suppliers on new developments and innovations.
* Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Act as a key technical interface between Product Development and Sales, Marketing, and Operations.
* Support Marketing with technical product information, ensuring accuracy and alignment with launch plans.
* Participate in sales meetings, product sign-off sessions, and internal presentations as required.
Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in a senior Product Development role within protective workwear.
* Demonstrable expertise in FR and Electric Arc protective garments (essential).
* Strong understanding of relevant EN standards, certification processes, and technical file submission.
* Experience managing and developing Product Developers or similar technical teams.
* In-depth knowledge of textile performance, fabric and trim testing, and garment construction for protective wear.
* Commercially aware, with experience managing costs, margins, and product viability.
* Experience working with global supply chains, including Asia, China, and Europe.
* Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple ranges and complex critical paths.
* Confident communicator, able to work effectively with senior stakeholders, suppliers, and external partners.
* High attention to detail and a proactive approach to risk management and continuous improvement.
* Strong interest in sustainability, compliance, and ethical product development.