NPD Manager

hireful; Fobbing; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

hireful is seeking a hands-on New Product Development Manager to bridge commercial goals and engineering delivery. Based at the Basildon HQ with hybrid work from home, you will own complex product lifecycles from concept through CAD design, prototyping, testing and manufacture. Reporting to Engineering Director, you will lead a small team of design engineers, collaborate with overseas teams and suppliers, and manage budgets and timelines to drive technical innovation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline.
• Proven track record leading full lifecycle NPD projects.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks) with hands-on prototyping/testing.
• Experience managing project budgets and mentoring engineers.
• Startup-minded with strong communication.

Responsibilities

• Own complex multi-disciplinary product lifecycles from concept to manufacture.
• Lead projects through CAD design, rapid prototyping, testing, and manufacturing.
• Mentor a small team of design engineers.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, overseas teams, and suppliers.
• Balance timelines and budgets to deliver on quality.

Job description

Are you a hands-on Engineering Lead looking for a pivotal role in a tech-led scale-up business, operating in the environmental and hygiene space?

Due to internal promotion, this small but mighty, well-established (20 years+) company are looking for a New Product Development Manager to bridge commercial goals and operational activities.

Salary £70,000 plus 10% bonus for this hybrid role, dividing your time between the HQ in Basildon, Essex and working from home. There will also be occasional international travel.

Reporting directly to the Engineering Director, you will take complete ownership of complex, multi-disciplinary product lifecycles.

You’ll lead projects from initial concept through CAD design, rapid prototyping, testing, and manufacture, on time and within budget, managing project risk, resources, and timelines.

You will mentor a small, well-established and high-performing team of Design Engineers, fostering a culture of technical innovation.

This is still very much a hands on role, that makes use of your technical mastery in mechanical/electrical design, using Solidworks, and overseeing prototyping and testing.

In this highly influential role, you’ll work closely with senior leadership, overseas teams in Thailand and South Africa, and suppliers, to align engineering deliverables with broader business goals.

You should have:

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Proven track record leading product development (NPD) projects through the full lifecycle.
• Strong technical background with advanced CAD (Solidworks) proficiency and hands-on prototyping/testing expertise.
• Demonstrable experience managing project budgets and mentoring direct reports or junior engineers.
• A proactive, pragmatic "startup" mindset with exceptional communication skills.

This your chance to join a small technology business on a mission to transform the way we live, one flush at a time. With their water-saving product, this moment could be the best time to join and make a difference!