PZ Cussons
Product Development Specialist

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POSITION SNAPSHOT
Role: Product Development Technologist - Research and Development
Location: Manchester or London
Contract: Permanent
WHY US AND WHY THIS ROLE
Seize the opportunity to be part of a unique business with an exciting vision for the future - where we dare to be bold, discover what’s possible, and do incredible. Dare. Discover. Do.
At PZ Cussons, we offer five big reasons that people join and stay: Futureproof Our Brands, Create Your Own Impact, Accelerate Your Craft, Flexibility to Perform, And Collaborate with Intent.
As a Product Development Technologist, you'll help bring consumer-loved products to life across our Personal Care & Beauty portfolio. Working alongside packaging, fragrance, marketing and manufacturing teams, you'll play a key role in turning ideas into high-performing products that people choose and trust every day. This role blends innovation and renovation, giving you the opportunity to shape new launches while enhancing existing favourites. You'll work across the full development journey, helping deliver products on time, on cost and to the highest quality standards.
This is a role with real influence. You'll work across disciplines, contribute to exciting innovation programmes and help create products that strengthen our brands and delight consumers.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING
- Help develop and launch innovative new products and product improvements across our Personal Care & Beauty portfolio.
- Collaborate with colleagues across R&D, Marketing, Packaging, Consumer Insights and Supply Chain to deliver consumer-focused solutions that meet brand ambitions.
- Support projects from concept through scale-up and commercialisation, helping ensure successful launches that meet quality, cost and timeline expectations.
- Partner with internal manufacturing sites and external manufacturing partners to bring product ideas to market efficiently and effectively.
- Use your technical expertise and problem-solving skills to help create products that perform brilliantly for consumers and customers alike.
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, balancing innovation with smart renovation to strengthen our portfolio and category performance.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt 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.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
- Experience supporting product development, formulation or innovation projects within FMCG, personal care, beauty or a related category.
- A passion for creating products that meet consumer needs and bring brand strategies to life.
- Strong collaboration skills and the confidence to work with a wide range of stakeholders across technical and commercial teams.
- Great organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A practical, hands-on approach and a desire to learn, develop and build technical expertise.
- An understanding of product development processes, from concept through to commercialisation.
WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN
MyBenefits brings together your total rewards in one place, giving you the flexibility to choose what matters most. Key benefits we offer include:


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- Competitive annual bonus, pension, life assurance and Share Incentive Plan
- Private medical cover plus health & wellbeing support
- Flexible holiday options, including buy and accrual
- 1pm Friday finish for better work-life balance
- Hybrid/electric car scheme, cycle to work & free mortgage advice
- Discounted and complimentary PZ products
- Onsite gym (where available)
OUR PURPOSE, CULTURE AND VALUES
At PZ Cussons, our purpose is For Everyone, For Life, For Good. Guided by our BEST values, Bold, Energetic, Striving and Together, we nurture a culture where people feel empowered to grow, perform and make a meaningful difference every day.
We retain the pioneering spirit of our founders by building portfolios of locally-loved brands across our key markets in the UK, ANZ, Nigeria and Indonesia, backed by the manufacturing scale and capability of a global business.
Spanning Personal, Home and Baby Care, our products are trusted by millions of consumers worldwide, including Carex, Childs Farm, Cussons Baby, Imperial Leather, Morning Fresh, Original Source, Sanctuary Spa and St. Tropez.
INCLUSION AND FAIRNESS
We’re committed to building diverse teams that reflect our consumers and communities, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and able to thrive. If you need any adjustments during the process, just let us know.
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Dare to be bold, Discover what’s possible, and Do the incredible.
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