Madison
Product Development Manager
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Product Development Manager - Bicycle Parts and Accessories
Reports to: Head of Product Development
Location: Milton Keynes, with UK and international travel as required.
Madison is the UK’s leading distributor for premium bicycles, clothing, parts and accessories. Based in Milton Keynes, home to the biggest brands in cycling.
Vacancy Overview:
We are looking to recruit an experienced Product Development Manager to source and develop commercially successful bicycle parts and accessories for Madison Signature Brands. The role will manage product development from initial opportunity and supplier sourcing through sampling, testing, approval and launch. It will primarily focus on new products and ranges, alongside some day-to-day management and improvement of existing products and suppliers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Identify gaps and commercial opportunities across Madison Signature Brands product categories.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, new technologies and emerging product categories.
- Attend trade shows, visit retailers and undertake competitor and market research.
- Support category growth plans, product roadmaps and balanced good, better and best ranges.
- Create clear product briefs covering specifications, features, target customers, pricing and positioning.
- Manage development projects from initial concept through sourcing, sampling, testing, refinement and production approval.
- Identify and evaluate suitable UK and international suppliers, factories and manufacturing partners.
- Compare supplier capabilities, quotations, minimum order quantities, tooling requirements and lead times.
- Benchmark costs and negotiate with suppliers to achieve agreed costs, margins and commercial terms.
- Manage improvements, specification changes and re-sourcing projects for existing products.
- Work closely with Product Managers, Brand Managers, Design, Marketing, Sales, Compliance, Operations and Supply Chain.
- Coordinate product testing and ensure applicable safety, quality and regulatory requirements are met.
- Maintain accurate development plans, specifications, costings, project trackers and critical-path timelines.
- Identify commercial risks such as excessive minimum order quantities, tooling costs, indemnities and long lead times.
- Ensure products are approved and delivered within agreed launch windows.
- Provide accurate product information for packaging, instructions, sales and marketing materials.
- Help improve and standardise Madison’s product development and sourcing processes.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Experience and Skills:
Applicants should have experience in product development, sourcing, product management, buying or a closely related role.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Experience managing physical products from initial brief through sampling and production.
- Experience working with suppliers, factories or manufacturing partners.
- Strong commercial awareness, including product costs, margins, pricing and range architecture.
- The ability to understand product specifications, materials and manufacturing processes.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage several projects concurrently.
- A structured, accurate and detail-focused approach.
- Strong communication, negotiation and problem solving skills.
- Confidence using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- A proactive and collaborative approach with a genuine interest in cycling and products.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Personal Attributes:
The ideal candidate will combine product creativity with strong commercial judgement and a structured approach to project management. You will understand how products progress from an initial idea through sourcing, sampling, testing and approval to a successful market launch.
Experience within cycling, sporting goods, outdoor products, hardware or consumer accessories would be particularly valuable, together with a genuine interest in products, manufacturing and innovation.
You will be comfortable taking ownership of projects and balancing innovation, product quality, commercial viability and delivery deadlines.
To Apply:
Please email your CV and a brief covering email, including your salary expectations, to deb.newman@madison.co.uk
To find out more about Madison and our parent company, please visit www.hyoung.co.uk
Applicants selected for interview will be asked to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.
Closing date:
Friday 18th of September although we may appoint sooner if we find the right candidate.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills