Product Development Manager

As Product Development Manager, you will be responsible for driving the creation and delivery of innovative sensory play products from concept through to production. You’ll lead the product development lifecycle, managing timelines, data and compliance at every stage.

You’ll work with sourcing agents, factories, colleagues in operations, marketing and design to bring exciting new products to life, ensuring they meet both customer expectations and commercial goals. Your work will be essential in ensuring that our product range remains fresh, competitive and aligned with Inspire My Play’s values and market trends.

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic product development professional who can balance creativity with commercial impact and help take Inspire My Play to the next stage of growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Research and Develop New Product Ideas

• Research trends, customer needs, and competitor activity to identify new product opportunities.
• Develop and present ideas that are innovative, practical and commercially viable.

Prepare Technical Product Specifications

• Oversee the production of technical drawings (e.g. STP files) for factories and suppliers, whether created in-house or externally.
• Ensure all design files are accurate, clear and production ready.

Source and Manage Manufacturing Partners

• Identify and recommend suitable manufacturing partners based on quality, safety, ethical standards, cost, materials, lead times and production capabilities.
• Build strong working relationships with manufacturers to support clear communication, problem-solving and long-term collaboration.
• Coordinate factory sampling and prototyping processes, ensuring samples are assessed and feedback is actioned.
• Conduct regular reviews of supplier performance (quality, timelines, pricing) and identify opportunities for improvement or alternative sourcing when needed.
• Ensure all selected factories meet compliance requirements for target markets (e.g. EU, UK, US & Amazon requirements).

Lead and Manage Product Development Projects

• Act as primary point of contact for product and product development within the business.
• Oversee all stages of product development, from initial concept to final production.
• Manage the Product Development Project Plan to keep projects on track and on time.
• Maintain the Product Information Master-sheet, ensuring all product data is accurate and up to date.
• Handle sampling and prototyping, ensuring early feedback is gathered and applied.
• Create a clear development process with defined approval stages and ensure factories comply.

Ensure Product Safety and Compliance

• Oversee product testing, safety, and certification for all target markets.
• Ensure compliance with barcodes, warnings, environmental requirements, declarations of conformity and digital product passports (EU).
• Coordinate with testing labs and third parties for necessary certifications and documents.
• Monitor and ensure ongoing compliance with Amazon marketplace requirements with responsibility for the Account Health page on Amazon Seller Central.

Work Closely with Suppliers and Internal Teams

• Liaise with factories and sourcing agents to manage samples, resolve technical issues and plan production.
• Collaborate with the Senior Graphic Designer on packaging, marketing materials and visuals for new products.
• Work with colleagues in marketing, operations and sales to ensure products are launched smoothly and meet commercial goals.

Versatility

• Be prepared to offer support across different areas of the business, stepping outside the traditional boundaries of your job role. As a small business with a close-knit team, there may be times when everyone needs to muck in. Whether it’s assisting with a project, helping another team member or tackling an unforeseen challenge, your contribution will be highly valued.