Assistant Product Developer

Mamas & Papas; Crowborough; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid flexi office

Staff discounts

Company bonus schemes

Job summary

Mamas & Papas Head Office seeks a proactive Product Development support professional to drive the end-to-end development of innovatively designed products. You will manage timelines, coordinate cross-functional meetings, and ensure samples and briefs meet brand and launch requirements.

Applicants should have 1–2 years in product development or buying/merchandising support, a design/retail education, and a keen eye for detail and cost implications.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Design/Creative/Retail.
• 1–2 years in product development, design, or buying/merchandising support role.
• Strong numerical foundation with understanding of retail margins, cost breakdown and volumes.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the product development critical path to hit milestones on time.
• Coordinate development meetings and provide updates and actions for delivery.
• Manage product samples throughout development for review, photography, showroom and launch activities.
• Create detailed product and packaging briefs for Marketing & Creative teams.

Skills

Highly organised

Numerical understanding

Attention to detail

Brand awareness

Education

Degree or equivalent in Design/Creative/Retail

Job description

Role Purpose

To support the development of innovative, design-led products that reflect the Mamas & Papas brand, managing projects from concept through to production within agreed cost and timeline targets.

Role & Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain the product development critical path, ensuring key milestones are achieved on time and escalating risks where required.
• Coordinate development meetings, providing updates, reports and actions to support project delivery.
• Manage product samples throughout the development process, ensuring availability for review, photography, showroom and launch activity.
• Create detailed product and packaging briefs for Marketing & Creative teams, including POS, instructions and ticketing requirements.
• Support the identification of commercial product opportunities and the creation of product briefs aligned to target cost and consumer requirements.
• Conduct competitor benchmarking and market analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
• Work closely with Technical and Quality teams to ensure all products meet safety, compliance and quality standards.
• Manage supplier relationships, supporting the sourcing and onboarding of new suppliers where required.
• Maintain accurate product data across business systems.
• Product Development & Costing
• Coordinate end-to-end sample development, reviewing products against specifications and documenting feedback for suppliers.
• Maintain sample archives and approval records throughout the development lifecycle.
• Manage development costings, supplier quotations, MOQ information and lead times to support commercial decision-making.
• Liaise with suppliers and overseas teams to ensure timely communication and resolution of development issues.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Highly organised and methodical with acute attention to detail.
• A passion for product, keen understanding of brand identity and customer-first mindset.
• Strong numerical foundation with an understanding of retail margins, product cost breakdown, and volume considerations.
• Keen eye for detail and creative ability.
• Degree or equivalent in Design/Creative/Retail
• Min 1-2 years of experience within a product development, design, or buying/merchandising support role

Benefits

We're a business that cares. Here’s just some of our benefits on offer;

• 33 days holiday, increasing up to 40 with service.
• Buy & Sell holiday schemes
• Company Bonus Schemes
• Employer pension contribution from day 1 enrolment.
• Significant staff discounts for family & friends from our shops & online
• Ongoing offers & discounts across a variety of external organisations, from holidays, travel, restaurants, gifts & services to many more worthy discounts through our Benefits Hub
• Subsidised health & critical illness cover and insurances
• Supportive family related leave policies (including company enhanced pay for maternity, IVF & Fertility, surrogacy, paternity, adoption, shared parental leave)
• A Menopause Friendly Employer
• Employee Recognition and Appreciation Schemes
• At Mamas & Papas, we’re a business for the future. Every day, we help to welcome a new generation of children into the world, and we want them to grow up in a world that’s sustainable - one that’s full of opportunity and hope.
• Oh, and a great bunch of people to work with too.

We also operate at Head Office

• Hybrid flexi office working with 2 days working from home
• Flexi-time schemes based around core working hours whether in the office, or working from home(NB*: All benefits subject to individual schemes criteria & terms)

Mamas & Papas (Head Office)

Colne Bridge Road

Huddersfield

West Yorkshire

HD5 0RH