Project Manager

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is seeking an experienced New Product Project Manager to lead NPI and development projects from enquiry through to production handover. You will manage cross-functional teams across engineering, quality, production, purchasing, and operations to ensure on-time, within-budget delivery that meets customer and quality requirements.

Applicants should have proven project management experience in manufacturing or engineering, with strong NPI and gated process knowledge, and

Qualifications

• Proven project management experience within manufacturing or engineering.
• Experience in aerospace, defence, automotive, or precision engineering sectors.
• Strong knowledge of NPI processes and gated project management.
• Experience using Microsoft Project.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Excellent organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects, risks, change control, and project reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI and product development projects through a structured gated process.
• Create and manage project plans using Microsoft Project.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder communication.
• Identify and manage project risks, actions, costs, timelines, and quality requirements.
• Support manufacturability reviews and production readiness activities.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications and AS9100 (or equivalent) quality standards.
• Chair project meetings, provide progress reports, and drive successful production handovers.
• Support continuous improvement of project delivery processes.

Skills

Project management

NPI processes

Gated process

Cross-functional coordination

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Quality awareness

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

We are looking for an experienced New Product Project Manager to lead new product introduction (NPI) and development projects from enquiry or contract award through to production handover.

Working within a manufacturing environment, you will manage projects across engineering, quality, production, purchasing, and operations teams, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to customer and quality requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead NPI and product development projects through a structured gated process.
• Create and manage project plans using Microsoft Project.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder communication.
• Identify and manage project risks, actions, costs, timelines, and quality requirements.
• Support manufacturability reviews and production readiness activities.
• Ensure compliance with customer specifications and AS9100 (or equivalent) quality standards.
• Chair project meetings, provide progress reports, and drive successful production handovers.
• Support continuous improvement of project delivery processes.About You

About You

• Proven project management experience within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience in sectors such as aerospace, defence, automotive, precision engineering, machining, or casting.
• Strong knowledge of NPI processes and gated project management methodologies.
• Experience using Microsoft Project.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing multiple projects, risks, change control, and project reporting.

Desirable

• PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FAIR, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Knowledge of CNC machining, casting, inspection, heat treatment, or subcontract manufacturing.
• Understanding of ERP/MRP systems.

What Success Looks Like

• Projects delivered on time, within budget, and to quality requirements.
• Effective management of project plans, milestones, risks, and actions.
• Successful handover of new products into production.
• Continuous improvement in project performance and delivery.

If you're a proactive Project Manager looking to take ownership of complex manufacturing projects and drive successful product introductions, we'd love to hear from you