Head of Product Development

JR United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic luxury brand as the Head of Product Development, overseeing the creation of high-quality leather goods. With a focus on strategic leadership, sustainability, and innovation, this role involves collaboration across multiple functions to deliver exceptional products. The position offers a hybrid working model along with attractive benefits including generous annual leave and a birthday holiday.

Benefits

29 days annual leave, plus 3 additional fixed bank holidays

Never work on your birthday! Additional day holiday on your birthday

Staff allocation of Strathberry products & staff discount

Summertime early finish Friday

Long service award

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in luxury leather goods or accessories development.
• Strong background in product engineering, prototyping, and leather construction.
• Demonstrated success in leading product development teams and bringing collections to market.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement product development strategy aligned with brand direction.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across design, merchandising, and production.
• Drive innovation in materials and construction methods.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Product Engineering

Sourcing

Supplier Negotiation

Fluency in English

Team Leadership

Job description

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Proudly Scottish at heart, but with a keen international outlook, Strathberry creates unique luxury pieces, handcrafted in Spain using only the very finest quality leathers and finishes. Known for its instantly recognisable bar closure and minimalist design aesthetic, Strathberry’s elegant lines and exceptional attention to detail have led to a global following.

The brand is stocked in over 100 retailers worldwide, with flagship stores in London and Edinburgh. With investment in place to accelerate the next phase of expansion, there has never been a better time to join this dynamic business.

THE ROLE

The Head of Product Development is responsible for leading the creation and development of Strathberry’s full product range. Working closely with Design and Merchandising, this role ensures product concepts are translated into feasible, cost-effective, and high-quality prototypes aligned with the brand's design DNA and market expectations.

Please note: This is a full-time, permanent position based in London or Edinburgh. We are currently operating a hybrid working approach with a minimum of 3 fixed days required each week working from our London or Edinburgh City Centre locations.

To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter by Sunday 8th June latest, outlining your relevant skills and experience and interest in this position. Please note that CVs submitted without a covering letter will not be considered. Candidates are encouraged not to delay their submission, as applications may close earlier than 8th June if sufficient interest is received.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Define and implement product development strategy aligned with brand direction and commercial goals.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across design, merchandising, technical development, and production.
• Drive innovation in materials, construction methods, and product categories.
• Lead and mentor the Product Development team to execute innovative and commercially viable products.
• Collaborate with Design and Merchandising to translate creative concepts into feasible products.
• Oversee material selection, sampling, and prototyping to guarantee aesthetic alignment and quality.
• Develop and manage seasonal product timelines from design handover to final prototype approval.
• Maintain and control the PD sampling budget, ensuring cost efficiency and timely sample readiness.
• Foster a culture of accountability, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Design, Merchandising, Sales, and Marketing to align product attributes with customer feedback and brand strategy.
• Ensure cohesive development processes that reflect commercial viability and uphold brand standards.
• Manage, coach, and grow the PD team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Conduct regular team performance reviews and identify training needs to elevate technical and creative skills.

Sustainability & Innovation

• Research and integrate sustainable materials and practices in the early stages of development.
• Proactively explore innovative techniques and materials aligned with brand values.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 29 days annual leave, plus 3 additional fixed bank holidays
• Never work on your birthday! Additional day holiday on your birthday
• Staff allocation of Strathberry products & staff discount
• Summertime early finish Friday
• Long service award
• Employee Assistance Programme

ABOUT YOU

To be a star candidate for this position, you must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in luxury leather goods or accessories development
• Strong background in product engineering, prototyping, and leather construction.
• Demonstrated success in leading product development teams and bringing collections to market.
• Strong understanding of costing, sourcing, and supplier negotiation
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Fluent in English; additional languages (e.g., Spanish, Italian) are a plus.
• Availability for regular travel to our suppliers.

INTERESTED?

To apply please submit your CV along with a covering letter by Sunday 8th June latest, outlining your relevant skills and experience and interest in this position. Please note that CVs submitted without a covering letter will not be considered. Candidates are encouraged not to delay their submission, as applications may close earlier than 8th June if sufficient interest is received.