Associate Director - New Product Introduction

BISSELL, Inc.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer products company in Singapore is seeking an Associate Director - New Product Introduction to oversee the manufacturing processes and ensure timely new product launches. The ideal candidate will have 20 years of experience in NPI and Manufacturing Engineering and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. Responsibilities include leading the NPI team, implementing best practices, and ensuring product quality. Join us to drive innovation and excellence in manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 20 years' experience in NPI and Manufacturing Engineering.
• 10 years' experience in People Management.
• Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure strategy and development in NPI and manufacturing processes.
• Design and optimize manufacturing systems and processes.
• Manage and lead the NPI team to ensure best practices.

Skills

Analytical skills

Written and verbal communication

Team-building

Proactive problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Overview

The Associate Director - New Product Introduction is responsible for delivering all aspects of New Product Introduction throughout the design, planning and control of manufacturing processes and systems. It involves using engineering principles to optimize production, ensure high-quality products, and support production efficiency.

This position will ensure that our teams continue to develop and implement best practices that emphasize manufacturing defect prevention, provide for continuous improvements, and continue to meet product quality standards. Responsible for ensuring our manufacturing processes are high-capability, standardized across all suppliers and locations, and executed to deliver quality products without delays in new product introductions or product transfers. This position will also be responsible for providing leadership to the NPI team.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Development:
  • Creation and implementation of best practice manufacturing vision, strategy, policies, processes and procedures to aid manufacturing and quality performance.
  • Contribute to new business initiatives and projects and review and communicate the impact on New Product Introduction and Manufacturing capabilities.
• General and Task Management:
  • Lead NPI development strategy, designing clear requirements, standards and practices.
  • Ensure early and proactive engagement of the NPI team, integrated into all new products and transfers, and completed in a timely fashion.
  • Design and optimization of manufacturing processes, systems, and equipment.
  • Design for Manufacturing and Assembly: participate and drive product at early design stage to optimize product design from a manufacturing perspective, including mistake-proofing principles.
  • Test optimization and standardization: effective and efficient testing, repeatable tests, testers and fixtures. Includes test coverage optimization and approval as well as standardized test processes and equipment across all suppliers and locations (e.g., leakage testing, spray tests).
  • Production oversight: monitor, review and evaluate the results of the production process to ensure quality and compliance.
  • Quality Control: ensure products meet specified quality standards. Conduct P‑FMEA. Create Manufacturing Quality Plans.
  • Automation and Technology: integrate and optimize automated systems, robotics, and other advanced technologies in manufacturing.
  • Cost Reduction: minimize production costs through process optimization and resource management.
  • Sustainability: consider environmental impact and sustainability aspects in manufacturing processes.
  • Work with Engineering to define design‑supporting process capabilities required to meet product and process requirements.
  • Manage all new product launches to ensure designs and manufacturing processes are capable of delivering the required quality standards and consumer satisfaction.
  • Educate team members across the organization regarding the NPI function and their role in ensuring standards are met.
  • Promote and drive the use of proper tools such as Design for Manufacturing, Design for Assembly, Design for Testing, P‑FMEA, etc.
  • Instill importance of manufacturing assessment from a product safety perspective.
  • Monitor and report to management product NPI risks and any issues and impacts.
  • Manage NPI Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Stay current and up-to-date on changes or developments that may affect manufacturing and potential product field issues.
  • Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices and future trends for manufacturing and testing.
• People Management:
  • Manage, coach and develop a high‑performing NPI team that meets agreed objectives and delivers best‑practice results, adds value, and drives continuous improvement.
  • Develop long‑term resource plans that align with strategic business objectives.
  • Provide leadership, direction, management and development to the NPI team.
  • Set departmental objectives/KPIs and review and assess ongoing performance of direct reports.
  • Report on achievement of targets and identify any necessary actions.
  • Manage and lead the team, ensuring adequate staffing levels, managing holiday schedules, recruitment, training, development, appraisal, attendance, disciplinary issues and daily supervision to maximize efficient productivity.
  • Motivate and coach the team to operational excellence.
  • Monitor and manage task completion, ensuring good performance and records on appropriate systems.
  • Consistently promote high standards through personal example and roll them out through the team, so each member understands the standards and behaviors expected.
  • Communicate KPIs from the strategic annual plan regularly so each employee is aware.
• Relationship Management:
  • Work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal performance.
  • Facilitate delivery and compliance with the company strategy.
  • Communicate with stakeholders the impact of potential effects on engineering design and development and recommend solutions.
  • Participate in cross‑functional leadership teams in the development of new strategies or process changes for meeting production, NPI and consumer requirements.
• Self‑Management:
  • Anticipate and overcome obstacles.
  • Takes ownership for the team’s work and development.
  • Is self‑aware, resilient, and open to change.
  • A self‑starter, motivated, focused, target‑driven with a positive can‑do attitude.
• Performs all other related duties as necessary.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• Degree minimum: Bachelor
• Specific concentration: Engineering
• Experience level:
  • 20 years’ experience in NPI and Manufacturing Engineering
  • 10 years’ experience in People’s Management

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION: Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

• Consumer products experience or equivalent
• Six Sigma certification (preferred)
• Working knowledge of mechanical engineering
• Basic knowledge of injection molding and electronics

SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Good written and verbal communications.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrated team‑building skills in an environment of managing through influence and persuasion rather than direct control.
• Proactive rather than reactive to problems.
• Willing to extensively travel to existing and potential suppliers.

This position requires the ability to manage the flow of data, perform analysis, generate summary reports and communicate by voice or data while being connected in the office, at home or while traveling by laptop or mobile device regularly without regard to time zone or day of the week.