Product Improvement & Innovation Manager - Small Pet Products
Location:
Hybrid (London Bridge, 2 days per week)
Salary:
£38,000 - £45,000 + benefits
Type:
Full-time | Mid-level
Are you passionate about creating products that truly improve the lives of pets and their owners?
We are exclusively recruiting, on a confidential basis, for a high-growth, global leader in the small pet care industry. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, scale-up business
at a pivotal stage of its journey, driving meaningful change in the product range and shaping the future of the brand.
As the Product Improvement & Innovation Manager, you will take ownership of refining and enhancing existing product ranges, making them better for pets, more appealing to customers, and more profitable for the business. Alongside this, you'll explore carefully selected innovation opportunities, ensuring new product development adds real value without unnecessary complexity.
The Role
You'll be the driving force behind optimising existing products, from improving quality and functionality to reducing costs and refreshing product lines to keep them engaging and relevant.
This role requires someone who is creative, commercially minded, and deeply passionate about animal welfare, with the ability to balance customer needs, operational efficiency, and brand integrity.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead improvements to existing products, including quality, design, packaging, and usability.
- Analyse customer feedback, reviews, and return data to identify areas for improvement.
- Work closely with suppliers to optimise materials, reduce costs, and improve production efficiency.
- Refresh product ranges with updated colours, patterns, and limited editions to maintain customer excitement.
- Ensure all products meet safety, welfare, and compliance standards.
- Support the selective development of new products that align with brand values and operational capabilities.
- Collaborate with marketing teams on product positioning and launches.
- Manage development timelines, budgets, and supplier relationships.
- 3-6 years of experience in product development or improvement, ideally in the pet care or consumer goods sectors.
- Strong understanding of small pets' needs, behaviours, and welfare.
- Proven track record of enhancing product ranges and driving improvements in cost, quality, or design.
- Excellent project management, analytical, and communication skills.
- Confident working cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and suppliers.
- A genuine passion for animal welfare and making a positive impact in the pet industry.
- Salary: £38,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience).
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Pension contributions to support your future.
- Hybrid working- 2 days per week in a modern London office near The Shard.
- A collaborative, passionate team environment with a shared mission.
- The chance to own a high-impact role and help shape the growth of a thriving global brand.
This role is being managed exclusively and confidentially by The Animal People Recruitment Company, the UK's leading specialist in Pet and Animal Health recruitment.
We bring a deep understanding of the industry, and our focus is on matching exceptional talent with exciting opportunities that make a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners.
Apply Now
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and have the skills, creativity, and passion to drive innovation in the small pet product sector, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today to be considered for this exclusive opportunity.
