Product Development Manager

Company Overview

Gibb Safety & Survival is the go-to provider and Europe’s leading distributor of safety, personal protection equipment, and survival products for the energy sector. The end-user of the products we supply work across the offshore oil & gas, marine and renewable energy sectors where a normal day at the office could involve scaling offshore wind turbines, handling hazardous and toxic materials, or coming face to face with dangerously high temperatures. Our customers rely on Gibb Safety & Survival to supply them with the products and solutions they need to keep them safe, always. Our specialist sector knowledge and extensive product range enables us to add value to our customers and provide stronger advisory services across the sales, hire, and servicing of their protective wear.

Gibb Safety & Survival is part of the Gibb Group. Discover more at www.gibbgroupltd.com

Gibb is part of Clarksons – the world’s leading provider of integrated maritime services including broking, finance, port services and research. Clarksons is at the heart of global shipping and has an unrivaled reach, expertise, and depth of experience. Clarksons partner with clients across every sector to meet the demands of the world’s rapidly evolving maritime, offshore, trade and energy markets. Building on our unique heritage and harnessing our insights to see further, faster, we work with our clients and communities to create strategies that have a positive impact on the industry and the world around us. Dedicated to excellence, it’s our people that drive success for our clients.

To understand more about Clarksons, visit us at www.clarksons.com

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Product Development Manager. The person in this newly created position will play an important role in supporting the growth of our Mavric brand of workwear. As PDM, you will oversee product development from conceptualisation, and support product launch through development, technical marketing storytelling and communications materials. You will actively work with key teams across the business and with senior leadership to identify product and corporate opportunities to create tangible, value generating initiatives.

What you’ll be doing

• Responsible for overseeing quality control, ensuring products not only meet required standards and are fit for purpose, but also have best-in-class performance.
• Ensure compliance is achieved to UK, EU and International standards.
• Assist with auditing of factory production.
• Assist with ordering raw materials and components.
• Assist with overseeing the marketing of products.
• Develop products based on the understanding of market needs, in the various markets we serve.
• Additional / ad hoc duties as required in order to meet the needs of the business.

What we’re looking for

We invite applications from candidates who can demonstrate:

• Drive and self-motivation, with the desire and commitment to succeed, deliver excellence and make positive change;
• Relationship building, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to quickly build rapport;
• Collaboration, able to work well with others across diverse backgrounds to share information, develop skills, and deliver results;
• Resilience with the ability to persist and adapt;
• Smart problem-solving and analytical abilities, with a curious and inquisitive mind, and an openness to new ideas;
• Professional integrity and a respect for company values.

Other requirements

• Previous relevant experience, preferably within a technical workplace garment sector
• Understanding of technical garments and textiles protecting against Arc flash
• Understanding of product design from concept to prototype
• Experience of sourcing trims and fabrics would be an advantage
• Knowledge of UK, EU and International standards, compliance and regulations
• Good understanding of the design process involved in industrial workplace sector with target market and compliance knowledge and understanding
• Must be able to assist in creating tech packs
• Familiar in liaising with overseas factories
• Able to travel overseas when required
• Strong communicator, both verbal and written
• Self-starter who is able to multi-task and prioritise to meet deadlines
• Strong problem-solving skills, and able to use initiative
• Able to work well under pressure in a fast-paced environment