Brand Product Development & Production Manager (Maternity Cover - 12 month FTC)

Jellycat; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jellycat invites an experienced Brand Product Development & Production Manager to join us on a 12-month maternity cover. You will lead the development and delivery of Jellycat’s branded products, packaging and in-store materials, ensuring exceptional quality from concept through to global launch.

This role blends creative product development with strong production and supplier management, leading a cross-functional team to bring our whimsical, premium toys to life across markets.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in product development, production and lifecycle management.
• Background in premium consumer products or branded goods.
• Excellent understanding of manufacturing processes and bringing products from idea to market.
• Experience working with and managing global supplier networks.
• A strong eye for product quality, materials, craftsmanship and finishing details.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of branded products, packaging and in-store materials from concept to launch.
• Translate concepts into commercially viable, high-quality products while upholding brand standards.
• Manage sampling, prototyping and refinement for top-quality finishes.
• Build strong relationships with global suppliers and manufacturers.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure value, quality and long-term partnerships.
• Oversee production planning, POs, delivery schedules and critical path.
• Drive QA, compliance and safety across all products and materials.
• Lead cross-functional teams across development, production, quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with Design, Marketing, Logistics and Finance to ensure seamless delivery.

Skills

Product development

Production management

Supply chain

Project leadership

Job description

For a quarter of a century, the Jellycat family have brought joy, wonder and playful fun to people of all ages, in every part of the world. Utterly original and in a class of their own, they are currently among the most loved and collected toys of their kind. How has this gentle tribe endeared themselves to so many? Perhaps it is their whimsical expressions. Or the deliciously soft fabrics. Or the beautiful way in which they sit in your hand. Whatever it is, there is something magical and unmistakeable about each one of them.

We are looking for an experienced Brand Product Development & Production Manager to join us on a 12-month maternity cover. You will lead the development and delivery of Jellycat’s branded products, packaging and in-store materials, ensuring exceptional quality from concept through to global launch. This role combines creative product development expertise with strong production and supplier management capabilities, leading a cross-functional team to bring our brand experiences to life.

You'll be

• Leading the end-to-end development of branded products, packaging and in-store materials from concept to launch.
• Translating creative concepts into commercially viable, high-quality products while maintaining brand standards.
• Managing sampling, prototyping and product refinement to achieve exceptional quality and finish.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with global suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Negotiating with suppliers to deliver value, quality and long-term partnership success.
• Overseeing production planning, purchase orders, delivery schedules and critical path management.
• Driving quality assurance, compliance and safety standards across all products and materials.
• Leading and coordinating teams across product development, production, quality and compliance.
• Collaborating closely with Design, Marketing, Logistics and Finance teams to ensure seamless delivery

You'll have

• Significant experience in product development, production, supply chain and product lifecycle management.
• A background within premium consumer products, branded goods or a similar industry.
• Excellent understanding of manufacturing processes and bringing products from idea to market.
• Experience working with and managing global supplier networks.
• A strong eye for product quality, materials, craftsmanship and finishing details.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience leading or coordinating cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• A collaborative approach and excellent communication skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to tackle challenges effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.