Product Development Assistant (TGN5476) - Excellent Salary DOE

Location: Manchester

Type: Permanent

Industry: FMCG

Job Ref: TGN5476

We are looking for a Product Development Assistant (PDA) to join a successful manufacturer; you will play a vital role in driving the success of buying operations by supporting the Category team and collaborating across departments. Your proactive communication with suppliers and close coordination with Merchandisers ensures the timely delivery of goods aligned with purchase order requirements. Through your attention to detail and commitment to operational excellence, you directly contribute to product availability, sales performance, and customer satisfaction - making a meaningful impact on the company's growth and profitability.

• Supporting the Product Developer with administrative range planning.
• Consolidating and centrally recording all supplier quotes.
• Maintaining and updating the pricing master sheet by category, supporting commercial accuracy.
• Coordinating sample orders with factories, ensuring timely and responsible communication.
• Uploading new products to Business Central with 100% accurate information, supporting commitment to quality and operational excellence.
• Supporting the PD by updating quotes for key customers, enabling informed decisions and timely progressions.
• Assisting the PD with progressing new lines through their critical path as efficiently as possible to meet launch dates.
• Managing the full sample process (development, pre-production, production), ensuring the sample log is consistently updated and accurate.
• Reviewing Supplier Information Sheet (SIS) from factories to ensure completeness and integrity onboarding.
• Using SIS sheets to set up items in Business Central as directed by the PD, ensuring seamless product onboarding.
• Obtaining cutting guidelines and instruction manuals for products identified for development.
• Maintaining accurate item cards in Business Central, updating data as needed to reflect product evolution.
• Onboarding new factories into the system, ensuring responsible supplier management.
• Assisting the Buying and Merchandising teams with product issue escalations, demonstrating a solution-orientated approach.
• Supporting the planning and execution of trade shows, including design, sampling, admin duties, and setup, contribution to brand value and customer engagement.
• Carrying out any additional duties as reasonably required, showing flexibility and a commitment to team success.
• Supporting the PD's with day to day ad hoc and administrative duties.
• Liaising with sourcing gents and factories as and when required by the PD's.

• Strong organisational skills with proven administrative ability and a high level of attention to detail reflecting value of integrity.
• The ability to prioritise workload, adapt to change, and address challenges with a solution orientated mindset.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, fostering trust and collaboration across teams.
• Effective computer skills, particularly in Excel, support data driven decision making.
• Confidence working in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing priorities to deliver value for both the company and customers.
• A collaborative approach to working across functional and interdepartmental teams, ensuring shared responsibility and customer satisfaction.