Product Development Assistant

Product Development Assistant | Lancashire | £28,000 - £32,000

This pivotal role sits within an established umbrella business that brings together three highly successful brands, whose products are proudly stocked by some of the UK's biggest retailers including ALDI, NEXT, Dunelm, and more.

As part of this dynamic group, the Product Development Assistant will play a key role in supporting the Design & Product Development Manager, helping to bring new ideas to life across a diverse mix of product categories.

This is an excellent gateway role into new product development, offering hands-on experience in design, sourcing, and supply chain management within a fast-paced, creative environment within retail.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years' experience in buying, product development or sourcing, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communicate design briefs and product development requests to sourcing colleagues in the Far East.

• Arrange time-critical samples and manage all related product administration through in-house systems.

• Input relevant data into customer portals to ensure key accounts remain updated and aligned with critical path requirements.

• Request and manage costings for approved designs from internal and external suppliers, maintaining accurate costing records.

• Liaise with the Design Manager to update on sample progress, ensuring all product details and final costs meet design and target expectations.

• Build and maintain strong relationships across the wider supply chain to drive collaboration and product development opportunities.

• Conduct competitor research and produce regular comp shop reports to inform sales and design strategies.

• Create and update design BOMs within relevant portals.

• Confirm final approved sample details with the supply chain to raise purchase orders with the accounts team.

• Compile and present reports for key customer accounts to support ongoing product development initiatives.

• Develop a clear understanding of all technical and audit requirements to ensure samples meet customer standards and brand expectations.

Experience & Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Design and Product Development Administrator (or similar role).

• Strong competency in Microsoft Office.

• Ability to manage multiple tasks, plan workload efficiently, and maintain accurate master data.

• Proactive and highly organised, with solid administrative experience in a related sector.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, interpret, and communicate data across multiple projects with precision and attention to detail.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, ideally across homewares and lifestyle product categories.

• A passion for creativity, product design, and detail.

BBBH38497