Senior Product Developer

Reports to:

Head of Product

Works closely with:

Design, Project Management, Compliance, and Sales

Level:

Senior Individual Contributor with Category Ownership

About A2V

A2V is a creative product powerhouse developing trend-led consumer goods across Arts, Crafts, Stationery, Party, Pets, Home Décor and more. With a focus on private label and licensed products, we partner with leading global retailers to deliver bold, commercially intelligent, and compliant ranges. Our values centre on creativity, accountability, and collaborative excellence - bringing the right people together to deliver great work, at scale.

Role Purpose

The Senior Product Developer / Category Manager owns the end-to-end development, performance, and evolution of assigned product categories — from trend identification and concept creation through to commercial delivery and lifecycle management.

They bridge customer need, product integrity, and commercial performance, translating category strategy set by the Head of Product into executable, technically robust, and commercially viable product ranges.

This role operates with high autonomy, acts as a category authority, and mentors Product Developers, raising the overall quality and pace of product execution.

Core Accountabilities

• Own assigned product categories end-to-end, aligned to the overarching category strategy set by the Head of Product
• Contribute meaningfully to category roadmaps, seasonal planning (e.g. SS / AW), and trend direction input
• Identify whitespace opportunities, range gaps, and SKU rationalisation opportunities
• Support Head of Product with category performance insight (what to grow, stop, evolve)

You are accountable for making the category commercially stronger, clearer, and more future-fit.

Product Devlopment Execution

• Lead product development from concept through to handover, ensuring:
• Clear and complete product specs
• Accurate costings and margin delivery
• Technically feasible, safe, and compliant solutions
• Confidently develop across 
  multiple material types and craft disciplines
  , not limited to a single comfort category
• Anticipate technical, manufacturing, or commercial risks early and problem-solve proactively
• Own supplier communication on development, sampling, and technical clarification where appropriate

Commercial & Customer Focus

• Develop products that are right for the customer, right for the market, and right for the margin
• Understand target RRPs, cost price architecture, and margin models
• Use retail benchmarking and competitor insight to validate positioning
• Clearly articulate commercial rationale behind product decisions when presenting internally or externally

Trend & Market Insight

• Actively track European and global craft trends, consumer behaviours, retail movements, and competitor activity
• Validate trends using evidence — not instinct alone (retail audits, online platforms, trade shows, customer insight)
• Translate trends into commercially relevant product ideas, not just aesthetic concepts
• Feed structured trend insight into category and seasonal planning

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Brief and collaborate with Design in a way that ensures:
• Clear direction
• Efficient workflow
• Reduced iteration and rework
• Work closely with Commercial, Operations, and Compliance to ensure smooth product journeys
• Act as a calm, solutions-focused point of escalation within the category

Governance, Process & Standards

• Uphold and improve product development processes, documentation, and standards
• Ensure accurate use of product systems, trackers, and databases
• Champion compliance, quality, and technical accuracy within the category
• Contribute to continuous improvement of product development ways of working

Coaching & Mentorship

• Support and mentor Product Developers to deepen technical skill, commercial thinking, and confidence
• Share knowledge across categories and act as a role model for senior-level product thinking
• Raise the bar on what "good" looks like in product execution

What Success Looks Like

• Categories are clear, commercially strong, and well-balanced
• Products arrive on time, on cost, compliant, and fit for purpose
• Fewer late-stage surprises due to strong upfront thinking
• Designers and stakeholders receive clear briefs and direction
• Product Developers grow faster under your guidance
• The Head of Product trusts you to run your categories with minimal oversight

Key Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in product development within craft, stationery, gifting, or adjacent categories
• Proven ability to develop across multiple materials and techniques
• Strong technical product knowledge and specification discipline
• Commercially literate — comfortable working with margin, RRP, and cost targets
• Confident communicator with internal and external stakeholders
• Organised, structured, and proactive problem solver

Senior-Level Behaviours Expected

• Thinks beyond the single product to range, lifecycle, and category health
• Moves towards problems rather than waiting for direction
• Balances creativity with commercial and technical realism
• Makes considered decisions and can clearly explain the "why"
• Operates as a trusted partner to the Head of Product

Why A2V?

• Multi-Category Creativity: From glitter glue to dog toys to DIY wreath kits — every day is different
• Team-Driven Culture: We work hard, have fun, and support each other fiercely
• Strategic Growth: A2V is scaling — this role is critical in shaping our next chapter
• Autonomy with Support: You'll have clear goals, great people around you, and the space to lead