The Role
Develop and manage camping, rucksack, and outdoor equipment products from concept through launch. Responsibilities include supplier collaboration, product briefs and specifications, critical-path management, testing and compliance coordination, sample approval, sales and forecasting analysis, category strategy support, cost negotiation, and international market buying support. The role also partners with Quality Control, Design, Merchandising, and Supply Chain teams while supporting junior buying staff.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Mountain Group is a rapidly growing global outdoor retail business, operating across multiple brands including Mountain Warehouse, Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) and Animal.
With over 430 stores across the UK, Ireland, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, alongside a strong and expanding online presence, we are committed to creating innovative, high-quality products that help our customers enjoy the outdoors wherever they are.
We are looking for an enthusiastic and commercially minded Product Developer to join our Hardgoods team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping and developing our camping, rucksack and outdoor equipment ranges across The Mountain Group brands.
We welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in Buying, Product Development, Product Management and Technical Product roles within the outdoor, camping, sports, travel and hardgoods industries. Whether your experience comes from a retailer or a technical outdoor brand, you will combine commercial awareness with a passion for creating great products and delivering exceptional value for customers.
Working closely with suppliers, product teams and international stakeholders, you will help bring new products from concept through to launch, ensuring they meet the highest standards of performance, quality and value.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and execution of seasonal category strategies across Camping, Rucksacks and Outdoor Equipment.
- Identify opportunities for new product development through customer insight, market trends, competitor analysis and product benchmarking.
- Work directly with suppliers to develop innovative products, improve existing ranges and deliver commercial benefits.
- Create and manage detailed product briefs, specifications and technical requirements.
- Own product development projects from concept through to production, ensuring products meet performance, quality and cost requirements.
- Analyse sales performance and customer buying patterns to identify opportunities and drive continuous product improvement.
- Review stock, sales and forecasting information, making recommendations to maximise sales, stock turn and profitability.
- Support buying for multiple international markets including the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers, negotiating costs, specifications and development timelines.
- Manage the critical path through the entire development process, ensuring products are delivered on time and to specification.
- Coordinate product testing, performance evaluation and compliance requirements.
- Work closely with Quality Control, Design, Merchandising and Supply Chain teams to ensure products meet business and customer expectations.
- Manage the product sample process from prototype review through to final approval.
- Attend product reviews and supplier meetings, providing feedback and recommendations on product performance, functionality and design.
- Regularly review competitor product ranges and identify opportunities to strengthen our market position.
- Support and develop Assistant Buyers and Buying Administrators within the team.
We would like to meet someone who is
- Has experience at Product Developer level
- Has experience within outdoor equipment, camping, sports equipment, travel products, hardgoods or a related technical product category.
- Is passionate about product and enjoys understanding how products work, how they are made and how they can be improved.
- Has experience managing critical paths and working with suppliers throughout the development process.
- Demonstrates strong commercial awareness and can balance product innovation with business requirements.
- Is confident analysing data and using insights to make product and ranging decisions.
- Has excellent relationship-building skills and can work effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Has strong organisational skills and can manage multiple development projects simultaneously.
- Is highly proficient in Excel and comfortable working with product, sales and forecasting data.
- Has a strong understanding of customer needs and can translate these into commercially successful products.
- Is curious, proactive and solution-focused, with a genuine interest in the outdoor industry.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Hybrid working, 3 days in London based office & 2 working from home
- Holiday allowance
- 50% staff discount & 25% for family and friends
- Pension scheme
About
At Mountain Group, we’re passionate about helping our customers enjoy the great outdoors. With a focus on sustainability, we design quality products that are made for adventure and built to last, whether it’s for hiking, running, skiing, or just exploring closer to home. As a team, we’re united by our passion for the outdoors, our commitment to exceptional customer service, and our belief in working together to achieve great things.We value individuality and teamwork, believe diversity drives innovation and success, and are committed to building an inclusive and supportive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. Whether you’re creating an exceptional in-store experience, driving innovation behind the scenes, or shaping the future of our brand, every role plays a part in bringing Mountain Group to life. If you’re excited about adventure, retail, and making a difference, we’d love to hear from you!
Skills Required
- Experience at Product Developer level
- Experience in outdoor equipment, camping, sports equipment, travel products, hardgoods, or a related technical product category
- Experience managing critical paths and working with suppliers throughout product development
- Commercial awareness and ability to balance product innovation with business requirements
- Confidence analyzing data and using insights for product and ranging decisions
- Excellent relationship-building skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple development projects simultaneously
- High proficiency in Excel and comfort working with product, sales, and forecasting data
- Strong understanding of customer needs and ability to translate them into commercially successful products
- Curious, proactive, and solution-focused approach with a genuine interest in the outdoor industry
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The Company
What We Do
Mountain Warehouse is an outdoor retailer offering clothing and equipment for outdoor activities. It has developed clothing and equipment for the whole family since 1997, including hiking and ski gear. It sells a curated selection of third-party brands, while most products are designed and produced in-house exclusively for Mountain Warehouse. With stores internationally and online sales, it emphasizes quality outdoor products at accessible prices.
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