Head of Product

Salary: £50,000 per annum
Location: Edmonton, North London – On-site
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00am-5:30pm Friday: 9:00am-4:30pm (Summer) / 9:00am-3:30pm (Winter)
Job Type: Full-time

About the Role

Our client is an established UK B2B fabric wholesaler with a long-standing reputation within the textile industry. The business is currently entering an exciting period of growth, investing in its product ranges, digital capabilities, sales structure and overall operations.

We are looking for a commercially driven and highly proactive Head of Product to lead the product and purchasing direction of the business.

This is a hands-on role combining product strategy, sourcing, range development, buying and supplier management. You will take ownership of the product programme across existing and new categories, identifying new opportunities and ensuring the right products are sourced at the right price and at the right time.

You will work closely with senior management on key supplier relationships, major buying decisions and commercial opportunities, while leading the wider Product & Purchasing function.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Range Planning

• Own and drive the overall product and range strategy across the business.

• Build seasonal and ongoing range plans based on sales performance, customer demand, market trends and identified gaps.

• Continually assess the existing product portfolio and identify opportunities to strengthen, extend, replace or rationalise ranges.

• Work closely with Sales and senior management to understand customer requirements and translate these into product opportunities.

• Maintain a forward-looking product development pipeline rather than relying solely on supplier-led opportunities.

Sourcing & New Product Development

• Proactively identify new fabrics, qualities, constructions, finishes, designs and commercial opportunities.

• Source products through existing supplier networks and identify new suppliers where required.

• Identify relevant market and fabric trends and translate these into commercially viable products.

• Manage the complete new-product journey from initial idea and sourcing through to sampling, costing, selection and production.

• Challenge suppliers on price, minimum quantities, lead times, construction and other commercial considerations.

Design & Range Development

• Own and manage the company’s design and product-development programme.

• Develop clear briefs for new print, colour and design ranges.

• Manage external designers, suppliers and other creative resources where required.

• Drive seasonal development calendars and ensure new ranges progress from concept through to production on time.

• Ensure design decisions remain commercially focused and relevant to target customers.

You do not need to be a textile designer yourself. You will, however, need to be capable of leading the design process and turning commercial ideas into finished ranges.

Supplier Management

• Act as the principal day-to-day commercial liaison for the core supplier base.

• Develop strong, productive and commercially effective supplier relationships.

• Prepare supplier negotiations and recommendations for review with senior management.

• Work alongside senior management on significant negotiations, strategic supplier decisions and major buying commitments.

• Review supplier performance across pricing, quality, reliability, lead times and product development.

• Manage supplier-side claims and commercial issues, including quality problems, shortages, incorrect production and required credits.

Buying & Commercial Decision-Making

• Review and approve significant buying recommendations prepared by the Merchandiser.

• Determine buying priorities across ranges, suppliers and production programmes.

• Make commercially informed decisions balancing availability, stock investment, demand, margin and lead time.

• Determine priorities when shipment or container capacity requires decisions over which products should move first.

• Escalate significant commitments and strategic negotiations to senior management with clear recommendations.

Customer-Led Buying

• Work with the Sales/On-Demand team to identify and source products for significant customer opportunities.

• Assess whether on-demand opportunities have potential to become wider stock ranges.

• Build stronger links between customer demand, sourcing and the company’s future product strategy.

Department Leadership

• Lead the Product & Purchasing function and establish clear priorities, processes and accountability.

• Manage the Merchandiser and ensure the operational purchasing function supports the wider product strategy.

• Maintain visibility across replenishment, production, inbound shipments and key stock risks without becoming the administrator of these processes.

• Ensure purchasing decisions are made using accurate and timely data.

• Create a culture of ownership where issues are identified and acted upon rather than simply reported.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong commercial experience within product development, buying, sourcing, merchandising or purchasing.

• Experience working with physical products; experience within textiles, fabrics, fashion, interiors or a related wholesale environment would be highly advantageous.

• Strong product instinct with the ability to recognise commercial opportunities.

• Proven experience sourcing and developing products with suppliers.

• Confidence negotiating pricing, quantities, lead times and commercial terms.

• Ability to understand sales and stock data and use it to support buying decisions.

• Experience managing product or range-development programmes.

• An understanding of design and trends without necessarily being a hands-on designer.

• Strong supplier-management and relationship-building skills.

• Commercially sharp, decisive and comfortable taking ownership.

• Highly proactive, with the ability to identify what needs to happen next rather than waiting to be instructed.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will mean the business has a clear, commercially driven product pipeline, new opportunities are identified early, ranges are developed with purpose and suppliers are managed effectively.

You will ensure senior management receives well-developed recommendations and commercial insight, rather than having to drive every stage of the process.

Ultimately, you will be responsible for ensuring the right product is being developed, sourced and bought at the right time, at the right price, for the right customer.