Product Specialist (Buying)

Product Specialist (Buying)

Would suit Junior Buyer, NPD Coordinator or similar

Competitive salary plus benefits

Trafford - Hybrid Working - 2-3 Days Working from Home

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an organised and proactive Product Specialist to join a growing and dynamic business.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience in product management, project management or new product development coordination who enjoys managing multiple projects and working collaboratively across different teams.

You will play a key role in managing the end-to-end product launch process, ensuring products are delivered on time and to the highest standards while acting as the central point of coordination between internal departments and customers.

The Role

As a Product Specialist, you will oversee the full product lifecycle, from initial approval through to launch and eventual discontinuation. You will work closely with commercial, supply chain, operations and product development teams to ensure projects remain on track and stakeholders are aligned throughout the process.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the critical path for product launches across assigned accounts
• Oversee the full product lifecycle from approval to launch and discontinuation
• Create internal product specifications and define detailed product requirements
• Produce costings based on briefs received from the Sales team
• Manage and track critical path plans, ensuring milestones are achieved
• Identify, escalate and resolve risks that may impact launch timelines
• Support product lifecycle management and end-of-life planning for discontinued products
• Manage product codes, price lists and discontinuation activities
• Create and manage artwork for product packaging, labels and supporting materials
• Conduct market research and product reviews to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation
• Coordinate and track product samples across multiple departments
• Manage product sign-off processes and ensure timely submission to customers
• Attend customer meetings and support product discussions and presentations
• Coordinate packaging trials and ensure products are packed to agreed specifications
• Respond to customer queries and build strong relationships with key stakeholders
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute ideas to enhance processes and systems
• Provide cover for colleagues where required and support wider Product Management projects

About You

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience within product management, project management or new product development coordination
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience working with cross-functional teams, including commercial, operations, supply chain and development teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Exceptional attention to detail, particularly when managing specifications and product data
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to risk management
• Good systems and data management skills, ideally with exposure to PLM, CRM or ERP systems
• The ability to work independently and prioritise competing demands effectively

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and proactive
• A collaborative team player
• Commercially aware and customer focused
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Passionate about continuous improvement and process enhancement

What's on Offer?

• A varied and fast-paced role with excellent exposure across the business
• The opportunity to work with a collaborative and supportive team
• Genuine opportunities for development and career progression

If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership of projects, work cross-functionally and make a real impact on product delivery and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today via NJR Recruitment or call quoting the reference NJR16836

Please note: Due to a high volume of applications, if your CV does not reflect the essential requirements, or you answer 'no' to key screening questions, we may not be able to contact you.