Product Development Manager

AKT (pronounced “act”) is The Personal Performance Company that may change your life. Founded by West End stars Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, AKT is by and for those who are “Born to Perform” — on the stage, at work, or in life.

In 2020, The Deodorant Balm made its stunning debut to rave reviews and awards from Vogue, GQ, Esquire, and Harper’s BAZAAR. Plastic-free, aluminium-free, and gender-free, The Deodorant Balm instantly resonated with those looking for a natural deodorant that genuinely worked. Five fragrances and over 200,000 happy armpits later, The Deodorant Balm is already becoming a household name.

To this day, every new AKT product is put through its paces by London’s hard-working theatre community to ensure it lives up to the high standards of its founders. As a rule, AKT’s products don’t break character — ever. It’s this effectiveness that has propelled AKT from the backstage to bathroom cabinets, bedside tables, duffel bags, and carry-on luggage worldwide. And the good news is — the performance is just getting started.

About The Role:

You are an experienced and highly organised Product Development Manager, eager to lead the end-to-end development of new products and product changes — from concept through to launch. You’ll work cross-functionally with internal teams and external partners to bring our product vision to life, managing timelines, sourcing packaging, coordinating suppliers, and ensuring compliance at every step.

You will have a passion for beauty, a sharp eye for detail, and the ability to juggle multiple moving parts with grace and confidence. The role will be based in the UK (and work UK hours) but will liaise occasionally with stakeholders from the USA and other territories, so some flexibility is required.

Requirements

Project Management & Coordination :

• Own critical path analysis (CPA) and timelines for all product development projects, ensuring on-time delivery across all touchpoints.
• Create and maintain project trackers, ensuring visibility for all stakeholders.
• Lead regular NPD meetings, flagging risks or blockers and ensuring smooth cross-functional collaboration.

Product & Packaging Development

• Source and liaise with suppliers for new and existing packaging solutions, ensuring alignment with brand aesthetic, sustainability standards, and cost targets.
• Obtain quotes, lead-times, and samples, and negotiate with suppliers to deliver best value.
• Brief packaging suppliers to develop new components and colour match to approved references.
• Manage in-office samples of packaging and formulations, pre-production and production samples. Creating a digital record of samples stored
• Collaborate with manufacturers to confirm product feasibility, production timelines, and minimum order quantities

Copy, Compliance & Artwork

• Compile and circulate product copy documents to internal stakeholders, regulatory teams, and copywriters for feedback and approval.
• Manage and own the internal Google Drive (Product Information Files), as well as label cost analysis, quotes and packaging artwork.
• Ensure all product and packaging copy meets cosmetic regulation standards (UK/EU/US as applicable).
• Brief creative teams and external designers on packaging artwork, ensuring brand consistency and legal compliance.
• Manage the artwork approval process, gathering feedback from stakeholders and coordinating final sign-off.
• Competitor Analysis to underpin strategic decision making on NPD
• Coordinate with fragrance houses and manufacturers during formula development for new and existing packaging to ensure timely completion.

Purchase Orders & Launch Preparation

• Support creation and submission of initial purchase orders for product launches, working closely with operations and finance teams.
• Ensure suppliers and manufacturers are briefed and aligned on timelines for initial production runs.

Benefits

What’s on Offer:

• This is a great opportunity to make a real impact and join the business in its next stage of growth having just launched in the US
• Flexible Working Policy: work from home and at our Oxford Circus office space – FORA Liberty House
• Required Monthly “team days” in London
• Employee discounts on our products
• Funny, kind and inclusive work environment. We are banter, but we get sh*t done
• 28 days holiday plus all bank holidays

Everybody is welcome

AKT London is for everyone. We believe that an inclusive work environment and a diverse, empowered team are key to achieving our mission. Our products are gender free and built for every BODY to help give them the confidence to step onto their stage – whatever that may be – and PERFORM. Our work environment is no different.

AKT London is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We commit to a focused and sustained action to dismantle racist systems, policies, practices, and ideologies within ourselves and our networks. We have zero tolerance for intolerance. With our Founders belonging to a minority community we commit to difference and diversity from the beginning and we know what a rich and creative work environment can cultivate.

If you're creative, conceptual and ambitious with a passion for premium/luxury brands (and of course sustainability), and you're ready to make a significant impact in a fast-growing start-up, we'd love to hear from you. Join us in redefining personal care while looking after our planet!