Product Design Manager

CPI; Sedgefield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading product development organization in Sedgefield is seeking an experienced Product Design Manager. The successful candidate will lead a team of up to 8 specialists, overseeing complex projects and driving innovation. Ideal applicants will have a degree in a related field, substantial experience in product design, and strong leadership abilities. Benefits include flexible working, generous leave, and development opportunities.

Benefits

Up to 36 days holiday including bank holidays

Generous pension scheme

Life assurance and accident insurance schemes

Flexible working

Learning and Development Opportunities

Free parking

Qualifications

• Significant industrial experience at a senior level.
• Experience managing teams delivering complex technical projects.
• Demonstrated experience in performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team.
• Manage project delivery and resource planning.
• Act as technical lead on complex projects.
• Translate market strategy into actionable plans.
• Build external stakeholder networks.
• Support bid development and customer engagement.
• Ensure compliance with SHE, GMP, and quality standards.

Skills

Technical expertise in product design

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Education

HNC / Foundation Degree in Scientific / Engineering discipline

Job description

Why this role is important for CPI’s

Work

At CPI, we enable the translation of bright ideas into revolutionary products and processes. Our Product Design team plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and device innovation.

We are pleased to announce that we now have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Product Design Manager to join our established and growing product design team to provide high-level technical leadership and manage a team of up to 8 specialists, supporting them in the delivery of complex, high-impact projects. The successful individual will act as a technical authority, shaping strategy, driving innovation, and ensuring delivery excellence across collaborative and commercial R&D programmes.

The Role

Key tasks in the role will include (but are not limited to the below). Please download the full job description on the CPI Careers page :

• Leading and developing a high-performing team, setting clear objectives and providing coaching and feedback
• Managing project delivery, resource planning, and feeding into CAPEX and OPEX budgeting
• Acting as technical lead on complex product design projects, offering expert guidance and innovative solutions
• Translating market strategy into actionable plans and OKRs
• Building and maintaining external stakeholder networks to identify new opportunities
• Supporting with bid development and customer engagement with technical insight
• Ensuring compliance with SHE, GMP, and quality standards
• Maintaining accurate documentation of technical data and decisions

The person we are seeking

The successful candidate should be educated to a minimum of HNC / Foundation Degree (or equivalent) in a Scientific / Engineering discipline plus significant industrial experience at a senior level.

• Have significant technical expertise in product design and device technology
• Possess experience in managing teams within an operational environment delivering complex technical projects
• Hold strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Have demonstratable experience in performance management and strategic planning

It would also be advantageous if the successful candidate had a supervisory or management qualification and;

• Chartered status with a relevant professional institution
• Have engagement with professional networks or bodies

If you are someone who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and is passionate about leading innovation in product design, then this could be the role for you!

What does CPI offer you?

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes :

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking