Project Leader- New Product Development

Sterling Kohler; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in product development is seeking a Project Leader for its New Product Development team in Cheltenham. This hybrid role focuses on delivering innovative products to the UK showers market, requiring at least 2 years of NPD project management experience and strong project management skills. You will lead cross-functional teams and ensure projects meet time, cost, and quality requirements while fostering a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Cycle to work scheme

EV leasing

Staff discounts

Company bonuses

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience managing NPD projects within a technical/engineering discipline.
• Understanding of cost build-up & managing project budgets.
• Experience with product development disciplines is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for end-to-end delivery of NPD projects.
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Manage project revenue & capital budgets.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Education

Apprenticeship or higher education (e.g., HND, degree, masters)

Tools

MS Project

MS Office suite

Job description

Project Leader - New Product Development

Hybrid Role with 3 days onsite in Cheltenham

Salary up to £52k (subject to skills & experience), plus a fantastic benefits package including cycle to work, EV leasing, staff discounts and company bonuses.

Designing award‑winning products for our market‑leading brands – Mira Showers, Rada Controls and Recoup – is our lifeblood. We focus on investment, investing in the best technology and resources available and investing in each and every individual. Put simply, it’s who we are. Whether you arrive at our factories in Cheltenham or Hull, have a visit from a Service Engineer or pick up the phone to our Customer Service team, you’ll instantly see that, no matter our department or location, we all share the same values at Kohler Mira.

From day one you are part of the Kohler Mira community – a collaborative, forward‑focused team with a shared pride in our work and commitment to delight our customers and inspire our people. To set the trajectory of Mira’s future success, we are looking for a Project Leader who can collaborate and innovate to facilitate speed to market. More details below!

Position Summary

We’re looking for more than just a strong project manager – we need a Project Leader to join our industry‑leading New Product Development (NPD) team. You’ll lead a cross‑functional team to deliver exciting new products to the UK showers market. From project kick‑off through to closure, you’ll take ownership of delivery – whether that’s managing several smaller projects or steering complex, large‑scale initiatives. Success means meeting time, cost, and quality targets, working collaboratively with your team to define and achieve these goals.

Responsibilities

• Be accountable for the end‑to‑end delivery of NPD Projects (from concept through to production). As part of the NPD team, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Along with the support of the programme team, be accountable for translating project requirements into tangible deliverables.
• Successfully own, lead and deliver entire projects in terms of quality, time, and cost.
• Manage cross‑functional teams to ensure their alignment & commitment to delivering to agreed timelines & objectives.
• Ensure the team is fully engaged, motivated & meeting their required milestones & deliverables as outlined in the Mira business process.
• Facilitate regular cross‑functional meetings, workshops & ad hoc reviews, to ensure regular alignment & manage any project conflict.
• Ensure all issues & risks are identified, tracked, owned & mitigated, escalating where required.
• Introduce changes, driving local improvement and best practice.
• Lead by example in using fact‑based decision making, achieving timely consensus within the team, and avoiding over‑analysis.
• Manage project revenue & capital budgets.
• Prepare all documentation for phase‑gate reviews.

Behaviours

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to be assertive but sensitive.
• Build strong, influential working relationships, inspiring trust amongst colleagues.
• Be a positive & resilient leader, especially during challenging times, to stay focused on resolution.
• Are happy to challenge project teams to achieve innovative solutions & take moderate risk.
• Are comfortable with change, identifying & implementing improvements within the team or whilst considering the impact on the wider business.
• Embrace ambiguity when Kohler organisational structures or processes are different, unclear, or conflicting.
• Address issues and concerns in a professional manner, creating an environment of openness and honesty.

Skills / Requirements

As the ideal candidate you will have the following education & experience:

• Apprenticeship or higher education (e.g., HND, degree, masters).
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing NPD projects within a technical/engineering discipline.
• A good understanding of cost build‑up & managing project budgets.
• MS Project & MS Office suite.

Nice to have but not necessary:

• Experience within a product development related discipline (engineering, product design, or manufacturing).
• Prince 2 or equivalent.
• Good understanding of master data & product BOM structure.

Benefits

We can offer you a lot in return! We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With a genuine commitment to creating better tomorrows, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us

In the UK, Kohler Mira Ltd. is made up of three market‑leading brands: Mira Showers, Rada Controls, and Recoup. Where our brands differ in market position, they are equal in their commitment to design, innovation, and providing a single level of quality regardless of price. Kohler Mira is committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse associates, consumers, partners, and global communities. As an equal opportunities employer, it is Kohler Mira’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified people in all job classifications without prejudice. If, as an individual with a disability, you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail].

#LI-Hybrid #LI-RJ1