New Product Development Manager

WHD; England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An engineering firm is seeking an NPD Manager in Slough to lead product development from concept to production. The ideal candidate will convert complex requirements into innovative designs while collaborating with various teams. This role requires strong leadership and problem-solving skills, alongside a relevant degree or equivalent experience. This position is fully onsite, five days a week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading New Product Development from concept to launch.
• Strong ability to influence cross-functional teams to align with product goals.
• Demonstrable experience in continuous improvement of tools and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPD projects from concept through to production release.
• Collaborate with Product Management to validate customer needs.
• Convert complex requirements into scalable product specifications.

Skills

New Product Development

Cross-functional team leadership

Design and systems thinking

Problem-solving skills

Mentoring and coaching

Education

Relevant degree or suitable experience

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a NPD Manager for our engineering client in Slough. This role is fully onsite.

Purpose of the role

Lead the development of our products from concept through to production. This includes translating market and technical requirements into product specifications, coordinating with Product Management, and managing cross-functional New Product Introduction (NPI) activities across the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPD projects from concept, specification, and prototyping through to detailed design and production release.
• Collaborate with Product Management to validate customer needs, market demands, and regulatory standards.
• Consolidate requirements from diverse markets including food & beverage, pharmaceutical, industrial, and municipal sectors, into structured, actionable product specifications.
• Convert complex requirements into innovative UV system designs that balance performance, compliance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Coordinate development and NPI efforts across Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Commercial teams to ensure aligned execution and smooth product delivery.
• Contribute to strategic planning and roadmap development for our products and services.
• Manage technical documentation and ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
• Champion continuous improvement in technical processes and tools.
• Mentor and coach team members to support their professional growth.

Candidate requirements

• Must have a relevant qualification, preferably a good degree, or suitable experience.
• Experience leading New Product Development (NPD) from concept to launch.
• Strong design and systems thinking, with the ability to convert complex, multi-market requirements into scalable, compliant, and cost-effective solutions.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams (Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Commercial) to align with product goals and drive execution.
• Skilled in mentoring and developing technical talent.
• Demonstrable experience to continuous improvement in tools, processes, and team performance.
• An inquisitive hands-on approach with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Be a self-starter with a results-driven can-do attitude with the ability to adapt to change.
• Willing and able to be in our Slough offices 5 days a week