Product Development Manager

Madison a division of H Young (Operations) Ltd; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Madison a division of H Young (Operations) Ltd in Milton Keynes is recruiting an experienced Product Development Manager to source and develop bicycle parts and accessories for Madison Signature Brands. You will manage projects from opportunity to launch, coordinating with suppliers and internal teams to deliver new ranges.

The role focuses on new products, with some day-to-day management of existing products and suppliers.

Qualifications

• Experience in product development, sourcing or a closely related role.
• Strong commercial awareness including costs, margins and pricing.
• Ability to understand product specs, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Structured, detail-focused project management across multiple initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Identify gaps and commercial opportunities across Madison Signature Brands.
• Monitor market trends, competitors and new technologies.
• Attend trade shows and visit retailers for market research.
• Support product roadmaps and balanced range development.
• Create clear product briefs with specs, pricing and positioning.
• Manage development projects from concept to production approval.
• Identify UK and international suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Benchmark costs and negotiate terms to meet margins.
• Coordinate product testing and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain development plans and critical-path timelines.
• Work with cross-functional teams across the business.

Skills

Product development

Sourcing

Supplier management

Project management

Cycling knowledge

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Location: Distribution Centre, Bradwell Abbey

ClosingDate: Sep 18, 2026

Product Development Manager - Bicycle Parts and Accessories.

Reports to: Head of Product Development.

Location: Milton Keynes, with UK and international travel as required.

Madison is the UK’s leading distributor for premium bicycles, clothing, parts and accessories. Based in Milton Keynes, home to the biggest brands in cycling.

Vacancy Overview:

We are looking to recruit an experienced Product Development Manager to source and develop commercially successful bicycle parts and accessories for Madison Signature Brands. The role will manage product development from initial opportunity and supplier sourcing through sampling, testing, approval and launch. It

will primarily focus on new products and ranges, alongside some day-to-day management and improvement of existing products and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify gaps and commercial opportunities across Madison Signature Brands product categories.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, new technologies and emerging product categories.
• Attend trade shows, visit retailers and undertake competitor and market research.
• Support category growth plans, product roadmaps and balanced good, better and best ranges.
• Create clear product briefs covering specifications, features, target customers, pricing and positioning.
• Manage development projects from initial concept through sourcing, sampling, testing, refinement and production approval.
• Identify and evaluate suitable UK and international suppliers, factories and manufacturing partners.
• Compare supplier capabilities, quotations, minimum order quantities, tooling requirements and lead times.
• Benchmark costs and negotiate with suppliers to achieve agreed costs, margins and commercial terms.
• Manage improvements, specification changes and re-sourcing projects for existing products.
• Work closely with Product Managers, Brand Managers, Design, Marketing, Sales, Compliance, Operations and Supply Chain.
• Coordinate product testing and ensure applicable safety, quality and regulatory requirements are met.
• Maintain accurate development plans, specifications, costings, project trackers and critical-path timelines.
• Identify commercial risks such as excessive minimum order quantities, tooling costs, indemnities and long lead times.
• Ensure products are approved and delivered within agreed launch windows.
• Provide accurate product information for packaging, instructions, sales and marketing materials.
• Help improve and standardise Madison’s product development and sourcing processes.

Experience and Skills:

Applicants should have experience in product development, sourcing, product management, buying or a closely related role.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience managing physical products from initial brief through sampling and production.
• Experience working with suppliers, factories or manufacturing partners.
• Strong commercial awareness, including product costs, margins, pricing and range architecture.
• The ability to understand product specifications, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage several projects concurrently.
• A structured, accurate and detail-focused approach.
• Strong communication, negotiation and problem solving skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• A proactive and collaborative approach with a genuine interest in cycling and products.

Personal Attributes:

The ideal candidate will combine product creativity with strong commercial judgement and a structured approach to project management. You will understand how products progress from an initial idea through sourcing, sampling, testing and approval to a successful market launch.

Experience within cycling, sporting goods, outdoor products, hardware or consumer accessories would be particularly valuable, together with a genuine interest in products, manufacturing and innovation.

You will be comfortable taking ownership of projects and balancing innovation, product quality, commercial viability and delivery deadlines.

Applicants selected for interview will be asked to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.

Friday 18th of September although we may appoint sooner if we find the right candidate

To find out more about Madison and our parent company, please visit www.hyoung.co.uk

To find out more about Madison and our holding company please visit www.hyoung.co.uk