Company description
Monkfield Reptile is a globally recognised leader in the reptile industry, supplying trade partners worldwide with premium reptile products as well as live food, frozen food and livestock. We are home to two of the most trusted brands in the reptile sector: Arcadia Reptile, renowned for industry-leading UVB lighting technology, and HabiStat, trusted for reptile heating, habitat and care products. Both brands are committed to innovation and to improving the lives of reptiles kept as pets, with products sold across the UK, USA and other major international markets.
About the Role
We are looking for a talented and commercially minded Product Development Manager to bring new products to market. Working from an agreed product roadmap, you will be responsible for the complete product development journey from initial supplier sourcing and concept development through to successful product launch across the full reptile products category including housing, lighting, heating, humidity and water, substrates, decoration, prepared food, health and hygiene, and feeding and handling equipment.
You will work in close partnership with our purchasing team, who manage our established supplier relationships, to engage the right manufacturing partners and ensure a seamless handover into the business. This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to help shape the future of two well-loved brands in a specialist and fast-growing industry.
Key Responsibilities
Roadmap Execution
- Take ownership of the agreed product roadmap, managing each project from brief through to launch with clear timelines and milestones
- Maintain a clear view of all active NPD workstreams across both brands, ensuring projects progress at pace and any risks or delays are flagged and addressed promptly
- Provide regular roadmap updates and project status reports to the senior management team
Supplier Sourcing
- Work with the Purchasing Team to source appropriate suppliers for new products across different categories
- Identify, evaluate and engage new manufacturing partners as required, including overseas suppliers, to support the development of new products
- Build effective working relationships with suppliers throughout the development process, managing communication and expectations from brief to final approval Product Development
- Develop comprehensive product specifications, technical briefs and costings, ensuring all products meet brand standards, quality requirements and margin targets
- Manage the sampling and prototyping process, coordinating feedback and revisions between internal teams and suppliers through to final sign-off
- Work across a diverse product range spanning both hard goods (lighting, heating, thermostats, housing) and consumables (substrates, supplements, prepared food, hygiene products)
Compliance & Certification
- Work closely with compliance and technical team to ensure product testing, certification and regulatory compliance for the various markets is completed
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Work closely with marketing, sales and operations teams to plan and execute product launches effectively, including packaging, point of sale and trade communications
- Liaise with the purchasing team throughout the sourcing and development process to ensure alignment on supplier relationships, lead times and stock requirements
- Gather customer and market insight to contribute to future roadmap planning and ongoing brand development
- Monitor competitor activity, market trends and emerging innovations within the reptile and broader pet industry to help inform product strategy and identify opportunities
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience managing end-to-end product development or NPD projects, from sourcing through to launch ideally across a broad product range including both hardgoods and consumables
- Experience working alongside or within a purchasing or procurement function, with a clear understanding of how supplier relationships are managed
- Confident working directly with manufacturers and suppliers, including overseas sourcing
- Strong project management skills with the ability to progress multiple products simultaneously at different stages of development
- Solid commercial awareness with a good understanding of product costing, pricing and margin management
- Experience with international product compliance and certification is ideal; knowledge of both UK and EU standards (UKCA, CE) and US standards (FCC, UL, ETL or equivalent) is highly desirable
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across internal teams and with external partners
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage a busy workload
- A genuine interest in reptiles or the wider pet industry is a strong advantage
- Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience in product development, engineering, design or business
- Full UK driving licence
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience
- A friendly, specialist team environment
- Real ownership across two established and respected brands
- The opportunity to work across a diverse and broad product category
- A unique and rewarding sector to work in
If you feel you have the right attitude and skills for the job, please send your CV with a covering letter and one of our team will be in touch!
Job Types: Permanent, Full-time
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Application question(s):
- What is your current notice period required by your employer?
- Please share your salary requirements or expectations for this position
Education:
Experience:
- Product Development : 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
