Senior Product Manager

Portwest; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Portwest, a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE, invites applications for a Senior Product Manager role in Manchester, UK. This permanent position reports to the Head of Product and drives strategic product leadership across key ranges.

You will own a regional portfolio, set KPIs, mentor a small team, and work cross-functionally to grow profitability and market share in a fast-moving market.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in product management, apparel, PPE or related industry.
• Proven track record owning a product category or regional range.
• Strong leadership and junior team development experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication.
• Experience with product development from design to market launch.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Responsibilities

• Own product category or regional portfolio from concept to delivery.
• Define and execute product strategy to meet growth and margin KPIs.
• Drive development of innovative, profitable products that strengthen brand positioning and market share.
• Lead and develop a small team of Junior/Associate Product Managers.
• Monitor category performance and report to senior leadership.
• Align category strategy with Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain.
• Lead market and competitor analysis for opportunities and trends.
• Negotiate with suppliers to maximise profitability and lead times.
• Act as category ambassador internally and externally.
• Travel internationally to suppliers, factories, shows as required.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Travel readiness

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Microsoft Office

PLM systems

Job description

PORTWEST , a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear and PPE is currently seeking applications for the position of Senior Product Manager in Manchester, UK on a permanent basis reporting to Head of Product. Founded in 1904, Portwest has become one of the fastest growing workwear companies in the world currently employing over 6,000 staff worldwide. With 1400 styles across more than 20 ranges, we design, manufacture and distribute market leading workwear, safety wear and PPE in fully owned production facilities.

We’re on a mission to become the world’s most requested PPE and Safety Wear Brand.

JOB SUMMARY:

As a Senior Product Manager, you take full ownership of a key product range or regional portfolio with significant business impact. In this role, you will implement the business strategy in your range have full accountability on product development, and growth of your range, driving profitability and market share. Working independently, you will create and deliver product strategies that align with company objectives, while leading and mentoring a small team to achieve ambitious growth targets.

This role requires a strong balance of technical knowledge, creativity, commercial acumen, and leadership. You will be accountable for setting KPIs, delivering financial results, and ensuring your range remains competitive and innovative in a fast-moving market.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Take full ownership of a product category or regional portfolio, managing the lifecycle from concept through to delivery.
• Define and execute the product strategy, Meeting KPIs for growth, margin, and customer value.
• Drive the development of innovative, commercially successful products that strengthen brand positioning and expand market share.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a small team of Junior and Associate Product Managers, fostering growth and collaboration.
• Monitor category performance against KPIs, providing regular updates to senior leadership and taking corrective action when required.
• Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain to align category strategy with business objectives and customer needs.
• Lead competitor and market analysis, identifying new opportunities and future trends to inform product development.
• Negotiate effectively with suppliers and partners to maximise profitability, ensure quality, and secure competitive lead times.
• Act as a category ambassador across the business, representing your portfolio internally and externally.
• Travel internationally to suppliers, factories, trade shows, and key markets as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• 10+ years of relevant industry experience in product management, apparel, PPE, or a related industry.
• Proven track record of independently owning a product category or regional range with significant commercial impact.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and developing junior team members.
• Exceptional commercial awareness, with the ability to set and deliver against growth-focused KPIs.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, from design to production and market launch.
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft Office; experience with PLM systems is an advantage.
• Highly strategic thinker with a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to driving business growth.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

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COMPANY** AWARDS**

• Great Place To Work 2024
• Private Irish Business of the year – Export Industry Awards 2025
• Gold Ecovadis Sustainability Rating 2026

Applicants must have a right to live and work in the relevant jurisdiction.

Portwest is anequalopportunityemployer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status or membership of a minority group.