Product Development and Compliance Manager

VPZ are the market-leading vape and e-cig retailer in the UK. With over 150 stores across the country, and continuing to expand across the UK, we're now looking for someone special to join us in VPZ Head office in Newbridge.

The Product Development and Compliance Manager is responsible for overseeing the development of new products and ensuring that all products comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, and company policies. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, ensuring that products meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards, and managing the product development lifecycle from concept to market.

Job Responsibilities: 

 Product Development:

• Lead and manage the product development process, from concept through to commercialization.
• Collaborate with marketing, engineering, design, and manufacturing teams to define product specifications and requirements.
• Develop and manage timelines and budgets for product development.

Compliance Management:

• Monitor and enforce compliance with local, national, and international regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all products are compliant with safety, environmental, and quality standards before release.
• Review and interpret regulatory changes to ensure the company's products remain in compliance with evolving laws.

 Risk Management:

• Conduct risk assessments related to product development and compliance.
• Identify potential risks in product development processes and ensure mitigation strategies are implemented.
• Develop and implement quality assurance protocols to minimize product defects and regulatory breaches.

 Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with manufacturing and quality assurance teams to ensure that product development aligns with compliance standards.
• Provide compliance guidance and training to product development teams.
• Work with legal and marketing teams to ensure that products are marketed and sold in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure compliance with required standards..

 Continuous Improvement:

• Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and new product development methodologies.
• Recommend improvements to product development and compliance processes to enhance efficiency and reduce time to market.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the product development and compliance teams.

 

Experience/Qualifications: 

·         Proven experience in product development, product management and regulatory compliance, preferably within the vaping, consumer                    electronics, or FMCG sector.

·         Strong knowledge of vaping hardware (mods, tanks, coils, accessories) and the wider vaping industry.

·         Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects.

·         Familiarity with UK vaping regulations and product compliance requirements is a plus

·         Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.

·         Highly proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and take ownership of product categories.

·         Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills and an ability to make data-driven decisions.