Product Manager - Private Label

People-Equity Manual; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

People-Equity Manual in Melbourne seeks an experienced Product Manager – Private Label to conceptualise, develop and deliver exclusive private label ranges across a large national store network.

You will lead sourcing, buying, design and development from international suppliers and factories, ensuring compliance with Australian standards and driving sales and margin growth through strategic category plans. Collaboration across teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Solid experience sourcing and developing products directly from factories and international suppliers.
• Strong negotiation and supplier relationship management skills.
• Track record in building robust category plans and commercial ranging.

Responsibilities

• Sourcing, buying, development and design of private label products from international suppliers and factories.
• Identify and implement new product opportunities with competitive pricing and customer value.
• Conduct market reviews to assess competitors and opportunities for design and improvements.
• Manage product lifecycle from concept to end of life, including testing and mass production.
• Coordinate with Product Category Managers to ensure private label representation in catalogs and campaigns.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate new offers into the store network.

Skills

Inventory management

Negotiation

Supplier relationships

Category planning

Product development

Job description

What’s in this for you?

A role with scope: you will be empowered to further formulate and enact the private label strategies ‘end to end’ for the opportunistic and fast growing categories across their large multi-branded national store network. This is a role where you will be in the driving seat! Learn and be inspired from the best: Work with some of the best mentors and leaders in the retail sector

The ability to take 6 weeks leave a year (4 paid) Parental Leave: If a baby is on the horizon…the offer of 26 weeks paid leave for the primary carer and 8 weeks for the secondary carer

It’s a career opportunity of a lifetime : where you can really develop and shape the division and ‘make your mark,’ collaborating with the Category Management team, capitalising on opportunities and expanding the Private Label range end to end

The offices are in the South East: It’s flexible, open and collaborative, set up to leverage the sharing and expertise that everyone brings for the days when you are in the office

It’s fun: It’s a place where unique talents are leveraged, and success is celebrated

The sky and breadth for further career possibilities are limitless for performers, due to the size, nature and ongoing growth of the business

A workplace that lives, operates and stands by its ‘people centric’ values. It’s a great place to work!

Your prospective employer: …is doing things differently. In an incredibly highly opportunistic category, this sizeable national retailer with hundreds of stores is tackling their market opponents ‘head‑on’ with exceptional breadth and quality of range and advice. Success is achieved in the Private Label division through the application of superior sourcing, product development, trading and planning practices and the ability to translate trends and develop products to the needs of their customers. A career opportunity now presents for an experienced Product Manager – Private Label to conceptualise, develop and deliver exclusive new products that will capitalise on market and ranging opportunities and in turn deliver strong sales and margin growth. Join at a significant time of escalation and investment…the Private Label offer is projected to double in size in 3 years!

What will you do?

• The sourcing, buying, development and design of private label products from international suppliers and factories
• Keeping well in tune with the market, so you can effectively identify, source and implement new product opportunities and initiatives, that are competitively priced, commercially viable and meet customer needs
• Conducting extensive market review to compare competitors’ products, to look for opportunities for new designs, and product improvements against competitors
• Managing the product from concept, to design, sample production, testing, forecast, cost, mass production, promotion, support, and finally product end of life
• Ensuring the products are delivered on time, and that each process from design, manufacture, sample approval and artwork/packaging is at the agreed level to the Private Label’s team standards
• Liaising with the Product Category Managers to ensure range reviews, retail catalogues and online sales events have the relevant private label product representation in line with the Private Label strategy
• Collaborate cross-functionally to effectively integrate the new offer into the existing range program for the entire store network
• Once implemented, continue to review, extend and maximise the offering to drive sales beyond industry benchmarks

Here’s what it will take:

• You are proven: You have solid experience developing and sourcing product directly from factories and international suppliers, as a Category Manager, Product Manager, Private Label/Product Development Manager or Buyer from within a Retailer and/or Supplier/Manufacturer Category experience: All will be considered however likely to better suit candidates who have developed hardgoods product vs soft
• You have a deep understanding and working knowledge of the Australian standards: ensuring products comply to these standards and are safe for the customers to use has always been part of your Product Development accountability
• It’s a given: you have skill sets in inventory management, negotiating, and building supplier relationships. You also have an ‘eye for commercial ranging’ and developing solution-based category plans
• You are authentic, a credible negotiator and are always in it for a win‑win
• You inspire: You have drive, determination and commitment that inspires others
• You listen and others listen to you; you collaborate well
• You have passion: Simply put, you just ‘love’ what you do, and you are awesome at it!

This opportunity will make your 2025 year and beyond

A career within this organisation means more than just a job—it’s your chance to grow, thrive, and make an impact. With competitive salaries, endless career progression, hands‑on training, and a vibrant, high‑energy workplace, this is a place where passion meets opportunity. So, assuming you are a match to the criteria…are you in?