Portwest
Product Manager
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Custom Product Manager
PORTWEST, a leading global manufacturer of safety wear, workwear, and PPE, is currently seeking applications for the position of Custom Product Manager in Manchester.
Portwest is one of the fastest-growing workwear companies in the world, currently employing over 6,000 staff worldwide, with customer service staff in over 130+ countries and 11 Global warehouses in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain, UAE, USA, and Australia. We design, manufacture, and distribute market-leading workwear, safety wear, and PPE in fully owned production facilities.
We’re on a mission to become the world’s most requested PPE and Safety Wear Brand.
Job Summary
As a Custom PPE Product Manager, your role is to manage custom projects from start to finish across the Hand Protection, Footwear, above the neck PPE, and respiratory ranges. Your responsibilities include managing customer quote requests from start to finish. You will help grow Portwest custom business through timely quote management, negotiating favorable cost and lead times with suppliers, and developing high-quality, commercial products that meet custom specifications. The main KPI of this role is on-time in full delivery of PPE custom specials.
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Key Responsibilities
- Action custom quote requests in a timely and efficient manner, looking to maintain profitability but also win business.
- Represent the company when dealing with Sales Managers and customers as required.
- Create drawings for initial customer sign off.
- Manage Custom PPE range.
- Manage sample requests, ensuring that they are allocated to the appropriate project.
- Create technical specifications for custom projects.
- Communicate effectively and manage stakeholder expectations effectively.
- Negotiate prices with suppliers, ensuring a balance between value and quality.
- Coordinate with overseas partners and test houses to verify product accuracy and compliance with certification criteria.
- Manage the full certification process.
- Exercise attention to detail to maintain consistent high-quality product standards.
Requirements
- Minimum 3 years’ experience working in the PPE, Health & Safety Industry.
- Experienced project manager, used to managing multiple projects and seeing them through to successful completion.
- Good awareness of relevant standards (Gloves, Footwear, Eyewear, Hearing, Respiratory, Head Protection).
- Strong commercial acumen to identify projects that have the potential to be successful.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
- High degree of experience in managing the expectations of multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel & PowerPoint.
- Working knowledge of Adobe packages.
- Educated to degree level or have equivalent experience from relatable industries.
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Company Awards
- Great Place To Work 2024
- Private Irish Business of the year – Export Industry Awards 2025
- Gold Ecovadis Sustainability Rating 2026
Applicants must have a right to live and work in the relevant jurisdiction. Portwest is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, civil status, veteran status, family status, disability status, or membership of a minority group.
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