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 5,300 staff worldwide, with customer service staff in over 130+ countries and 11 Global warehouses in 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 and above the neck PPE ranges. Your responsibilities include managing customer quote requests from start to finish. You will help grow Portwest custom business through timely quote management, negotiating favourable cost and lead times with suppliers and developing high quality, commercial product that meets custom specifications. The main KPI of this role is on time in full delivery of PPE custom specials.
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, ensure that they are allocated to the appropriate project.
- Create technical specifications for custom projects
- Manage sample requests, ensure that they are allocated to the appropriate project.
- 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 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.
- Have a 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
- Have 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.
Skills Required
- Minimum 3 years of experience working in the PPE or Health and Safety industry
- Experience managing multiple projects through successful completion
- Awareness of relevant standards for gloves, footwear, eyewear, hearing, respiratory, and head protection
- Strong commercial acumen
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Experience managing expectations of multiple stakeholders
- Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
- Working knowledge of Adobe packages
- Degree-level education or equivalent experience in a related industry
- Right to live and work in the relevant jurisdiction
What We Do
Formed in 1904, Portwest is firmly established as a leader in the design and manufacture of high quality Workwear, Footwear and PPE. Excellent quality, very competitive pricing and large stock holding ensures we offer a market leading service to all our customers. With distribution throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and the USA, supported by factories in the Far East our unique collection of safety apparel and PPE protects people all over the world in many diverse industries and situations. Service highlights Our stock levels are at an all-time high and our innovative operations ensure all orders are picked, packed and ready for dispatch accurately and on-time. With over 1500 individual product lines, Portwest are truly a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all safety apparel and PPE requirements. Contact Us For contact details on your nearest Portwest office please visit: https://www.portwest.com/contacts Portwest Headquarters: Portwest House IDA Industrial Park Westport Co Mayo F28 FY88 Ireland Tel: +353 98 26411 Email: [email protected]

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