Project Manager (NPD)

good hair day; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hair styling brand in Cambridge is seeking an experienced Project Manager to oversee the lifecycle of electrical products from concept to market launch. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of project management experience and strong communication skills, working in a cross-functional role that requires collaboration with various teams. This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing for both office and remote work.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in NPD project management within fast-paced, complex environments.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects from concept to market launch.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and manage product projects from concept to market.
• Lead cross-functional teams for successful product launches.
• Define and track milestones, schedules, and budgets.

Skills

Project management expertise

Strong communication skills

Supplier relationship management

Education

PRINCE II certification

Agile methodology knowledge

Job description

WHO ARE WE?

Iconic British brand ghd is a global leader in high end professional hair styling tools and the UK's number one recommended styling brand. Loved by stylists and consumers, loved by press, and loved by the people that work for the brand!

Merging science and innovation, with luxury beauty and style; ghd combines cutting edge technologies and beautiful designs to create the most technically advanced hair tools in the world. ghd tools deliver "safer for hair" heat styling that have become an essential part of the daily lives of professional hair stylists and consumers globally.

Renowned for game changing innovation and superior performance, at ghd we are on a mission to transform lives with the power of a good hair day!

ABOUT THIS ROLE

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager (NPD) to join our project management team. In this role, you will lead the full end-to-end lifecycle of ghd electrical products, Limited Editions, and wetline ranges, from concept through to market launch.

You will work within ghd's governance framework to ensure delivery on time, within scope, and to the highest standards of cost and quality. With accountability for multiple projects running concurrently, this is a truly cross-functional and international role, requiring close collaboration with third-party suppliers and internal teams.

We're looking for a strong communicator with proven project management expertise, ideally with a background in engineering or electrical / product development.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract, based in our Cambridge office with a hybrid working pattern (3 days office / 2 days WFH).

JOB ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, document, and manage ghd product projects, including packaging, across the full lifecycle from concept to market.
• Define and track milestones, schedules (including supplier partner schedules), and budgets in line with ghd's project management framework, escalating when limits are exceeded.
• Lead cross-functional teams including R&D, manufacturing partners, industrialisation, quality, design, and supply chain to deliver successful product launches.
• Ensure all stakeholders, internal and external, are clear on responsibilities and deadlines.
• Collaborate with product managers, claims, commercial, and finance teams to align product concepts with business cases.
• Present project updates and technical content at board level, influencing decisions and securing approvals.
• Identify, manage, and document interdependencies and risks, escalating issues promptly.
• Coordinate and lead project status meetings, highlighting bottlenecks and risks.
• Record and circulate minutes, risk registers, and timelines, ensuring actions are implemented.
• Lead stage-gate meetings for your projects, prepare content, presenting, and documenting outcomes.

REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ years' experience in NPD project management within fast-paced, complex environments.
• Proven track record of managing multiple projects from concept to market launch.
• Strong supplier relationship management experience.
• Experience in engineering or product development within consumer electronics (or similar industry) is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, able to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and self-motivate.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to balance business priorities and technical requirements.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and adaptable under pressure.
• PRINCE II certification and/or Agile methodology knowledge is a plus.

VALUES

We at ghd are proudly committed to our Company Values and aim to attract and retain employees who live our Values.

• Collaborative - We work together to create the extraordinary.
• Creative - We foster creativity & excellence to create value for our brands and business.
• Courageous - We are agile, entrepreneurial & we own our future.
• Connected - We stay connected and ensure we are always consumer first.

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