Product Development Manager

Cooper Lomaz; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG distributor in the UK seeks a dynamic Product Development Manager to manage and grow their product portfolio. You will be responsible for critical tasks such as analyzing brand performance, negotiating with suppliers, and implementing marketing strategies. The role requires strong analytical skills and experience with product launches. The company offers a hybrid working model, growth opportunities, and comprehensive employee benefits including an annual bonus and generous leave policies.

Benefits

Annual bonus eligible

Hybrid working model

Growth and learning opportunities

Collaborative work environment

5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays

Auto-enrolment Pension

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

DSE Contribution

Onsite Parking

Complimentary refreshments during working hours

Qualifications

• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills with strong attention to detail.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, to a professional standard.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Effective multitasker able to manage workload efficiently.
• Commercially astute, understanding sales and profit impact.

Responsibilities

• Maintain understanding of brand portfolio and market dynamics.
• Conduct range reviews to identify growth opportunities.
• Negotiate with suppliers for competitive pricing.
• Ensure support levels are met to drive business growth.
• Collaborate to develop and execute marketing plans.
• Research potential new principals for portfolio expansion.
• Manage discontinued product lines efficiently.
• Plan and oversee new product launch process.
• Support the Sales team with accurate product data.
• Foster effective communication across departments.
• Achieve sales and profit growth targets.
• Deliver high-quality presentations.
• Lead and develop direct reports.

Skills

Excellent numeracy and literacy skills

High proficiency in Microsoft Office

Strong problem-solving abilities

Effective multitasking skills

Commercially astute

Job description

Location: Bury St Edmunds/Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-time Mon – Fri, 37.5 – 08:30 – 17:00
Reporting Line: Head of Brand & Commercial Partnerships
Salary: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

About the Company

This is a UK dedicated, large-scale distributor of non-food FMCG products. We provide a cost-effective sales, marketing and distribution service for FMCG manufacturers from around the world of both branded and private label products for supply to multiple retailers, convenience stores, discount retailers, online retailers, pharmacies, wholesalers and foodservice operators across all key channels.

Role Overview

We are seeking a dynamic Product Development Manager to strategically manage and grow our product portfolio, driving sustainable sales, margin, and contribution in line with company objectives. This role requires a commercially astute and creative professional with strong analytical and relationship management skills. This is a strategic, hands-on role suited to a results-driven professional who can balance commercial insight with creative brand development.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the brand portfolio, market dynamics, emerging trends, and competitor activity.
• Conduct regular range reviews and benchmarking exercises with brand owners to identify growth opportunities and rationalise underperforming products.
• Negotiate with suppliers, agencies, and service providers to secure competitive terms, pricing, and where possible, marketing investment.
• Ensure principals and suppliers deliver the service levels and support required to meet customer expectations and drive business growth.
• Collaborate closely with marketing agencies to develop and execute brand marketing plans within agreed budgets, aimed at driving sales and brand awareness.
• Work with brand owners to plan and implement promotional and trade marketing initiatives, ensuring alignment with consumer marketing activities.
• Research and evaluate potential new principals to expand the company’s portfolio and support growth objectives.
• Manage discontinued and clearance product lines efficiently to create space for new product development.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the new product launch process, including packaging design (where applicable), ensuring effective communication across all internal departments and accurate forecasting for Sales, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Customer Service teams.
• Provide comprehensive support to the Sales team through accurate product data, presentations, and timely responses to information and pricing requests.
• Foster open, effective, and collaborative communication across cross-functional departments.
• Achieve sales and profit growth targets as set by your line manager.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality professional presentations for both internal and external audiences.
• Lead, engage, and develop direct reports by setting clear direction, expectations, and fostering a culture of performance and accountability.

Skills & Experience

Required:

• Excellent numeracy and literacy skills, with strong attention to detail.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, to a professional and analytical standard.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to evaluate and compare alternative commercial options.
• Effective multitasker, able to manage a wide range of products and prioritise workload efficiently.
• Commercially astute, with a clear understanding of how decisions and actions impact sales, profit, and overall business performance.

What We Offer

• Annual bonus eligible position
• Hybrid office/home working model (following successful completion of probation).
• Growth and learning opportunities
• Collaborative work environment
• 5 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
• Auto-enrolment Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• DSE Contribution
• Onsite Parking
• Complimentary refreshments provided during working hours.