New Product Development Manager

So Code Limited; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering materials innovation company seeks a New Product Development (NPD) Manager to spearhead the development of sustainable materials from concept to market. This role involves collaboration across R&D, engineering, and commercial teams, ensuring effective product launches while managing projects in a dynamic environment. The company values creativity and a hands-on approach, offering hybrid working and opportunities for growth.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Opportunity for growth

Qualifications

• Experience in new product development within manufacturing or chemical/materials sectors.
• Background in pilot-line or start-up environments.
• Hands-on with sustainable materials, composites, or textiles.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development from concept to scaled manufacturing.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define specifications.
• Manage pilot and full-production transitions.

Skills

Project Management

Communication

Sustainable Materials

Materials Science

Education

Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, or Chemistry

Job description

Posted 03 July 2025 Salary £60000 - £70000 per annum, Benefits: + Bonus and More Location Cambridgeshire Job type Permanent Discipline Manufacturing Engineering Reference AF-31

Job Title: New Product Development (NPD) Manager
Location:Cambridgeshire, UK (Hybrid working available)
Company: Confidential (Sustainable Materials Manufacturer)

About the Company:
Our client is a pioneering materials innovation company focused on sustainable, high-performancematerials. With deep roots in aviation and automotive, their patented manufacturing process transforms materials and other waste streams into durable, beautifulrecycled textileswith dramatically lower environmental impact. They are now expanding into consumer, fashion, and luxury markets, working with some of the world’s most iconic brands to help build a more sustainable future.

Role Overview:
We are seeking a dynamic and hands-on New Product Development (NPD) Manager to lead and deliver the end-to-end development of innovative, sustainable materials from concept through to production. This individual will be instrumental in bridging R&D, process engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams, ensuring that new products are industrialised effectively and launched successfully.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in pilot-line or start-up manufacturing environments, who has previously had full lifecycle responsibility for taking new material-based or industrial products from lab to production scale.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional product development projects from concept, through piloting, to scaled manufacturing.
• Collaborate with R&D, materials science, production, and commercial teams to define specifications and deliverables.
• Design and manage pilot and small-batch manufacturing trials.
• Oversee the transition from pilot to full production, including scale-up and process validation.
• Ensure product readiness for customer testing and feedback loops.
• Manage timelines, budgets, and project risk.
• Establish and refine stage-gate processes for NPD.
• Support commercial and marketing teams with technical documentation and product insights.

Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience in new product development within manufacturing or chemical/materials science sectors.
• Background in start-up, pilot-line or first-product environments is highly desirable.
• Experience working across R&D, production, and commercial functions.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic and fast-changing environment.
• Hands-on approach with a strong bias towards action and accountability.
• Experience with sustainable materials, composites, or textiles is advantageous.
• Excellent project management and communication skills.
• Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline (Materials Science, Engineering, Chemistry, etc.).

Why Join?

• Join a mission-driven team redefining sustainable materials innovation.
• Play a critical role in bringing breakthrough technologies to market.
• Be part of a collaborative, high-energy environment where creativity and ownership are valued.
• Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunity for growth in a scaling company.

To Apply:
Please submit your CV to [e-mail] and a short covering note outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.