Director of Product Development

Troubadour; England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A performance bag company in the UK is seeking a Director of Product Development to lead sourcing, development, and production processes. This role focuses on creating and managing product timelines while ensuring high-quality standards. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of experience in product development and a strong grasp of sustainability and materials innovation. Join a dynamic team committed to pushing creativity and performance boundaries within a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years’ experience in product development, sourcing, or materials innovation.
• Deep technical knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing methods.
• Strong grasp of sustainability standards and certifications.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end process from design handover through sourcing and production.
• Create and manage seasonal line plans and production milestones.
• Collaborate closely with design and factories for product development.

Skills

Product development

Sourcing

Materials innovation

Supplier management

Project management

Job description

Location: London (Hybrid) or Yorkshire (Hybrid)

Reports To: Chief Product Design Officer

Employment Type: Full-Time

Join Troubadour – Where Ambition Meets Design

We’re Troubadour, creators of performance bags for work and travel. We are redefining how professionals move through the world. Every product pushes the boundaries of comfort, function, and sustainability, from everyday essentials to the world’s first fully circular bag collection.

We’re a fast-growing, founder-led B Corp driven by bold ideas, big ambition, and flawless execution. Our mission is to equip the ambitious to move the world forward.

We’re looking for a Director of Product Development to bring structure, speed, and breakthrough thinking to Troubadour’s product creation process. You’ll lead sourcing, development, and production — ensuring ideas move from concept to finished product with precision, efficiency, and innovation.

This role blends creativity with process. You’ll tighten timelines, strengthen communication, elevate quality, and help turn bold design concepts and new materials into commercially successful products.

What You’ll Do

• Own the end-to-end process — from design handover through sourcing, sampling, and production.
• Build a fast, disciplined, and transparent development system that enables both creativity and consistent delivery.
• Create and manage seasonal line plans, sample schedules, and production milestones to keep development on time and aligned across teams.
• Oversee all pre-production and production approvals, ensuring seamless quality flow through to finished goods.
• Own BOMs and cost sheets, partnering with design and operations to achieve target margins while maintaining product integrity.
• Source and develop new materials, fabrics, hardware, and trims that enhance performance, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with design and factories to transform creative ideas into technically robust, scalable products.
• Lead testing and validation programs to ensure consistency, durability, and compliance with Troubadour’s quality standards.
• Deliver breakthrough materials, constructions, or product innovations that push the boundaries of performance and circular design.

Systems & Communication

• Establish clear communication channels between design, operations, and marketing, ensuring accurate and timely product information company-wide.
• Build structured systems for sampling, costing, margin tracking, and production readiness.
• Ensure on-time, on-quality production through rigorous process control and supplier collaboration.
• Drive continuous improvement — embedding learnings from development and production into future cycles.

Who You Are

• 7–10 years’ experience in product development, sourcing, or materials innovation — ideally in premium bags, accessories, or technical performance goods.
• Deep technical knowledge of materials, construction, and manufacturing methods.
• Proven success managing supplier networks, achieving cost targets, and delivering scalable production quality.
• Strong grasp of sustainability standards, certifications, and material innovation trends.
• Exceptional communicator who translates creative vision into technical and commercial reality.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive — brings clarity, momentum, and accountability to cross-functional teams.
• Curious, collaborative, and driven to push boundaries in design, process, and performance.

Why Troubadour

We’ve grown tenfold in four years by chasing bold ideas and challenging the status quo. At Troubadour, you’ll join a passionate, dynamic team, collaborate in a culture that celebrates creativity, and play a key role in shaping the future of a brand committed to sustainability and growth.

How to Apply

Send your CV and a short note to [e-mail]. Tell us why this role excites you and how you’ve helped teams thrive through connection, clarity, and care.