Product Development Lead – Manufacturing & R&D

Wagstaff Recruitment; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Technical advancement

Health & wellbeing

Job summary

Wagstaff Recruitment is seeking a Development Project Manager for a well-established manufacturer in Cardiff, South Wales. You will lead multiple R&D projects, ensure delivery on time and to budget, and produce technical files, drawings and test evidence to support certification and production.

You will work with Engineering, Production, Quality and Sales to transfer designs to full production, identify design simplifications and cost savings, and manage suppliers and testing partners.

Qualifications

• Possess a formal Project Management qualification (e.g., APM, PRINCE2, PMP)
• Proven experience managing product development or research and development projects within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Sound understanding of metal fabrication, architectural detailing, and performance testing principles.
• Strong CAD literacy and ability to interpret detailed technical drawings.
• Excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills.
• Proven people management experience and managing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple Research and development projects , ensuring delivery against agreed timelines, budgets, and objectives.
• Produce and maintain detailed technical files, drawings, and test evidence to support product certification, manufacturing, and client requirements.
• Work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality, and Sales teams to ensure smooth transfer of new designs into full production and commercial rollout.
• Identify opportunities for design simplification, material optimisation, and manufacturing efficiency to enhance product performance and reduce cost
• Collaborate with component suppliers, fabricators, and testing partners to develop and validate new assemblies or hardware solutions.
• Monitor project risks, document design changes, and ensure robust review and approval processes are followed throughout development.

Skills

PM qualification

R&D project experience

Metal fabrication knowledge

CAD literacy

Communication & planning

People management

Job description

Wagstaff Recruitment is seeking a Development Project Manager for a well-established manufacturer in Cardiff, South Wales. You will lead multiple R&D projects, ensure delivery on time and to budget, and produce technical files, drawings and test evidence to support certification and production.

You will work with Engineering, Production, Quality and Sales to transfer designs to full production, identify design simplifications and cost savings, and manage suppliers and testing partners.