Head of Product

Accountancy Action - Your Specialist Finance Recruitment Partner; Enfield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Accountancy Action - Your Specialist Finance Recruitment Partner is recruiting for a Head of Product for a UK fabric wholesaler. The role leads product and purchasing strategy, identifying market opportunities and directing range development from sourcing through production.

You will work with CEO, Sales and Merchandising to shape the product journey and drive growth across existing and new categories, balancing demand with margin and stock plans.

Qualifications

• This role requires strong commercial experience in product development, buying and sourcing.
• Experience in merchandising or purchasing with a track record of commercially successful ranges.
• Ability to identify opportunities, negotiate with suppliers and manage product programmes.

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the overall product and range strategy across existing and new categories.
• Identify market gaps, trends, customer requirements and new commercial opportunities.
• Develop seasonal and ongoing range plans based on demand and market insight.
• Source and develop new fabrics, qualities, constructions, finishes, colours and designs.
• Source new suppliers in the UK and internationally and negotiate terms.
• Manage full product development from concept to sampling, costing, and production.
• Lead product development programmes with suppliers and designers as needed.
• Maintain strong supplier relationships and monitor performance across quality and cost.

Skills

Product development

Buying

Sourcing

Merchandising

Purchasing

Job description

We are working on behalf of an established and growing UK B2B textile and fabric wholesaler to recruit a commercially driven and highly proactive Head of Product. Our client has over 140 years of heritage and is a well‑established supplier to fabric retailers and manufacturers across the fashion, hobby and craft sectors. The business is now entering an exciting period of growth and transformation, with investment in its product ranges, digital capabilities, sales structure and overall customer experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced product, buying or sourcing professional to take genuine ownership of the product strategy and play a key role in shaping the future direction of the business.

About the Role

As Head of Product, you will lead the product and purchasing strategy across the business.

This is not a traditional purchasing role focused primarily on administration and purchase orders. You will be responsible for identifying what the business should be developing, sourcing and buying, and turning those opportunities into commercially successful product ranges.

You will work closely with the CEO, Sales and Merchandising teams and will have responsibility for the wider Product & Purchasing function. From identifying market trends and sourcing new suppliers through to range development, negotiation and production, you will have ownership of the complete product journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the overall product and range strategy across existing and new categories.
• Identify market gaps, trends, customer requirements and new commercial opportunities.
• Develop seasonal and ongoing range plans based on customer demand, sales performance and market insight.
• Identify, source and develop new fabrics, qualities, constructions, finishes, colours and designs.
• Source new suppliers both in the UK and internationally.
• Manage the full product development process from initial concept through to sampling, costing, selection and production.
• Lead the product and range-development programme, working with suppliers and external designers where required.
• Negotiate with suppliers on pricing, quantities, quality, lead times and commercial terms.
• Build and manage strong, commercially effective supplier relationships.
• Work closely with the CEO on significant supplier negotiations and strategic buying decisions.
• Make commercially informed buying decisions, balancing demand, margin, stock investment, availability and lead times.
• Work closely with Sales to identify customer-led product opportunities.
• Use customer and market insight to influence future product strategy.
• Lead and manage the wider Product & Purchasing function, including the Merchandiser.
• Ensure clear processes, priorities and accountability across the department.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve product, quality and commercial issues.

About You

We are looking for someone with strong commercial experience within product development, buying, sourcing, merchandising or purchasing.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with physical products.
• Experience within textiles, fabrics, fashion, interiors, homeware or wholesale would be highly advantageous.
• Strong commercial instinct and an ability to identify product opportunities.
• Proven experience sourcing and developing products with suppliers.
• Strong negotiation skills across pricing, quantities, lead times and commercial terms.
• Experience managing product or range-development programmes.
• A strong understanding of customer demand, market trends and range planning.
• The ability to use sales and stock data to support commercial decisions.
• Excellent supplier relationship and stakeholder-management skills.
• An understanding of design and trends, without necessarily being a hands‑on designer.
• A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset.
• The confidence to take ownership, make decisions and drive projects forward.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join an established business at a genuine point of transformation and growth. You will have significant influence over what the business develops, sources and sells, working closely with senior leadership and having the opportunity to make a visible commercial impact.

If you're someone who enjoys spotting opportunities, developing products, negotiating with suppliers and taking ideas from concept through to reality, this could be an excellent next step.