Head of Product

CTO at RLS | Protecting what makes you, you. About Us At RLS, we develop products that save lives. As pioneers in the cycling industry, we are on a mission to redefine what is possible in head protection. We go home every day knowing that our products make the world a safer place. Our state‑of‑the‑art facility includes advanced high speed impact testing, full prototyping suite, wet lab and automated production capabilities. Our team buzzes with creativity and innovation. We’re looking for a Head of Product to lead the team responsible for integrating RLS technology into new helmet concepts —from first design discussions through production—ensuring every product meets RLS’s high standards for safety, quality, and design integrity. Job Description We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring Head of Product to lead our product development team, focused on integrating our cutting‑edge safety technology into partner helmet projects. This role can be fully remote, with regular travel to London, as we’re committed to building a company that supports the best people—wherever they are. You’ll lead a talented group of product developers, bringing vision, structure, and momentum to our growing operation. You’ll work closely with our partners, ensuring world‑class collaboration and hospitality throughout every engagement. The ideal candidate is not only an inspiring leader and communicator, but also a confident mediator and steady problem solver—someone who stays composed and effective under pressure. You will happily knock down doors to ensure clear alignment: following up, calling, or setting up a visit. You’ll be responsible for establishing and refining the processes that ensure we deliver consistently, on time, and to the highest standard. You’ll also design the feedback loops that keep our team and our products improving with every project. A strong understanding of manufacturing processes—including thermoforming, injection moulding, and carbon composite manufacturing—is key, along with existing connections to factories and brands in the space. Finally, we’re looking for someone with a long‑term vision for what our product organisation could become under their leadership—someone who’s passionate about mentoring, growing, and empowering a high‑performing team. Key Responsibilities Report directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO). Join the weekly Heads of Department meeting alongside the COO, Head of Production, and Asian Technical Manager. Collaborate closely with leadership to align product strategy with overall business objectives. Business Development & Partnerships Join the COO in business development meetings, helping to attract and secure new projects across cycling, motorcycle, construction, snow, rock climbing, and equestrian sectors. Manage the onboarding process for new partners, and design a continually improving onboarding platform. Refine the partner pipeline, including standard processes, documentation, and communication practices. Provide exceptional hospitality and customer service to partners—ensuring every collaboration leaves them eager for the next project. Create and implement a project closeout questionnaire and improvement plan to capture lessons learned and inspire future R&D initiatives. Remotely manage, mentor, and hire a high‑performing and diverse team of product developers. Foster a culture of growth, accountability, and continuous improvement across the product function. Refine project management systems to ensure clear visibility of workloads, project timelines, and contingency (“Plan B”) options when delays occur. Lead a robust Kaizen / Continuous Improvement (CI) process to identify and act on opportunities for better performance or process improvement. Oversee new R&D projects that enhance our partner experience and internal efficiency, maintaining a balance between innovation and delivery. Manufacturing & Quality Oversight Work closely with vendors in Asia to ensure all products meet RLS’ high standards for safety, durability, appearance, and manufacturability. Build strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturing partners to streamline production and maintain consistent quality. Budgeting & Planning Create annual budgets for the product team and track performance throughout the year. Contribute to strategic resource planning and capacity forecasting. Travel Requirements Frequent travel to manufacturing locations in China and potentially other sites across Asia. If not located in London, regular travel to the RLS head office to collaborate in person with the RLS team. Requirements Degree in Engineering, Product Design, or a closely related technical field. 5+ years of experience working on helmet development or related protective equipment. Proven track record of managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects from concept to delivery. Experience managing a small team or mentoring junior engineers/product developers. Hands‑on experience working with Asian manufacturing partners and suppliers. Excellent communication and presentation skills, enabling effective collaboration with partners and colleagues across global time zones. Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, grounded in a solid technical foundation. Deep understanding of manufacturing processes such as thermoforming, injection moulding, and carbon composite fabrication. Experience building or improving product development processes and continuous improvement systems. High attention to detail, ensuring quality and consistency across every stage of development. A collaborative and proactive attitude that fosters strong team dynamics and partner relationships. Strong self‑motivation and comfort operating independently in a fast‑moving, remote environment. Experience developing and executing product strategy in collaboration with senior leadership. Ability to balance short‑term delivery with long‑term innovation and R&D priorities. Proficiency with CAD tools and design validation methods. Experience translating performance requirements into manufacturable design solutions. Experience defining and tracking key product, process, and team KPIs and metrics. Strong commercial acumen: ability to understand and influence business objectives, product ROI, budget / P&L responsibility. Demonstrated history of cross‑functional collaboration (engineering, sales/marketing, design, operations). Experience managing compliance, safety standards or regulatory certifications relevant to protective gear/consumer manufacturing. Comfort leading global, remote teams with cross‑cultural communication and travel to manufacturing sites. Significant option package in a high value potential and growing technology company. 25 days holiday in addition to national holidays. How to Apply Send your resume and a cover letter to tony@releaselayer.com Seniority Level Executive Employment Type Full‑time Job Function Product Management and Marketing Industry Medical Equipment Manufacturing #J-18808-Ljbffr