NPD Team Leader

Jonathan Lee Group; Wigan; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Jonathan Lee Group is seeking an NPD Team Leader to drive new product development from concept to production. You will lead cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and procurement, ensuring milestones and quality standards are met.

Responsibilities include managing multiple projects, implementing DFM/ DFA, and mentoring engineers while reporting progress to the Technical Manager. The role requires strong collaboration and strategic delivery leadership.

Qualifications

• This role requires a degree or equivalent experience in engineering and proven experience leading development projects.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, including PLM and change workflows.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication to align teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate New Product Development projects with milestones and deliverables.
• Manage multiple engineering activities with clear project plans and risk registers.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain and procurement.
• Support ECNs, product revisions, and release processes with quality standards.
• Apply DFM/ DFA/ Design for Serviceability to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Mentor NPD Engineers and report progress to the Technical Manager.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

PLM processes

Engineering change workflows

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronic/Product Design Engineering

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

Step into a career-defining opportunity as an NPD Team Leader and play a pivotal role in bringing new products from concept to production. This NPD Team Leader position sits at the heart of the product development and engineering industry, combining real responsibility with the chance to lead cross-functional delivery across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Service, and external suppliers. Expect meaningful variety, strong leadership scope, and the satisfaction of seeing improvements land in the real world.

What You Will Do:

• Lead and coordinate New Product Development projects, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and outcomes stay on track.
• Manage multiple engineering activities simultaneously, maintaining clear project plans, risk registers, and development schedules.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and procurement partners.
• Support Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), product revisions, and release processes, maintaining control and quality standards.
• Apply Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Serviceability to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Mentor and develop NPD Engineers while reporting progress, risks, and decisions to the Technical Manager.

What You Will Bring:

• A degree or HNC/HND (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, or Product Design Engineering.
• Proven experience leading engineering or product development projects, with a confident, structured delivery approach.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, including PLM and engineering change workflows.
• Solid knowledge of manufacturing processes such as sheet metal, plastics, machining, and fabrication, plus insight into electrical systems and embedded electronics integration.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence decisions and keep teams aligned.

This NPD Team Leader role supports the company's focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and delivering safe, compliant products that meet quality and commercial objectives. From shaping product architecture decisions and coordinating prototypes through validation and field trials, the impact is tangible and aligned to long-term business success.

Location:

Head Office Wigan, with occasional UK and overseas travel as required.