R&D Project Manager (Product Development)

HEGEN PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Hegen is seeking an R&D Project Manager to drive new product development and product improvements from concept through to manufacturing readiness and commercial launch. You will lead cross-functional teams, establish milestones, manage timelines and budgets, and work with suppliers and external partners to ensure timely delivery.

The role requires strong project governance, risk management and collaboration across R&D, Quality, Supply Chain and Business teams to translate innovation into

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant project management experience in consumer goods or related fields.
• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional projects from concept to launch.
• Hands-on experience in NPD, product improvement, engineering or manufacturing projects.
• Experience with project costing, budgeting, expenditure tracking and forecasting.
• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills.
• PMP certification or equivalent is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Translate priorities into structured development plans with milestones.
• Lead end-to-end new product development from concept to commercial launch.
• Establish timelines, resources, dependencies, milestones and risks.
• Drive governance to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with quality and requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional launch readiness and handover to manufacturing and commercial teams.
• Manage intellectual property and confidentiality as part of governance.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

NPD

Procurement coordination

Risk management

Job description

As a key member of Hegen’s Research & Development (R&D) team, the R&D Project Manager will drive the successful development and launch of new products and product improvements. Collaborating closely with internal teams, suppliers, manufacturers and third-party vendors, you will oversee projects from planning and development through to manufacturing readiness, commercial launch and post-launch improvements.

You will bring structure, discipline and momentum to complex product development projects by establishing clear milestones, managing timelines, costs, budgets and forecasts, mitigating risks, and aligning stakeholders towards shared outcomes. Your project management expertise, commercial awareness and ability to translate innovation concepts into executable plans will enable Hegen to deliver high-quality, commercially viable products that make a meaningful difference to parents and families.

Responsibilities

R&D Project Leadership

• Translate innovation priorities and product concepts into structured development plans, clear milestones and actionable deliverables.

• Lead end-to-end new product development (NPD), product improvement and design change projects from concept through to commercial launch.

• Establish and manage project timelines, resource requirements, dependencies, milestones and risk mitigation plans.

• Drive project governance and accountability to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and in line with agreed quality and business requirements.

• Align stakeholders across R&D, Business, Quality and Supply Chain, alongside external suppliers, manufacturers and third-party vendors, throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Proactively identify, assess and resolve project risks, issues and dependencies, escalating critical matters with recommended actions where required.

• Facilitate project reviews, status meetings and retrospectives to maintain alignment, accountability and project momentum.

• Maintain accurate project documentation, progress reports, decision logs, approvals and development records.

Project Costing, Procurement & Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain project cost estimates, budgets and expenditure forecasts, tracking actual and committed costs against approved budgets.

• Identify cost variances, assess their impact and recommend corrective actions to maintain financial control throughout the project lifecycle.

• Coordinate project-related procurement with relevant teams, including quotation reviews, cost comparisons, purchasing requirements and supplier lead times.

• Work with suppliers, manufacturers and third-party vendors to establish clear expectations for project scope, deliverables, costs, quality and delivery schedules.

• Partner with relevant teams to evaluate cost and delivery trade-offs, support negotiations and resolve issues affecting project outcomes.

• Monitor external partners’ progress against agreed commitments and drive timely follow-through on outstanding deliverables.

Product Launch & Commercialisation

• Coordinate cross-functional launch readiness, ensuring key development and launch deliverables are completed within agreed timelines.

• Drive the handover from R&D to manufacturing partners and commercial teams, ensuring required documentation, approvals and operational arrangements are in place.

• Partner with Business, Quality, Supply Chain and manufacturing partners to resolve product and production issues that could affect launch readiness.

• Track readiness against agreed product specifications, quality requirements, production timelines and commercial objectives.

• Contribute to post-launch reviews and translate lessons learned into actionable product and process improvements.

Innovation Governance & Process Excellence

• Partner with the Head of Innovation to establish, implement and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and governance frameworks for NPD, design changes and product improvements.

• Strengthen R&D project management processes, tools, reporting and controls to improve visibility, accountability and execution.

• Drive continuous improvement in product development processes and ways of working across the R&D function.

• Identify opportunities to improve project efficiency, reduce development risks and shorten time-to-market while maintaining quality standards.

Intellectual Property & Confidentiality

• Coordinate the patenting process from invention disclosure through to grant and ongoing maintenance, working with internal stakeholders and external intellectual property advisers.

• Maintain accurate records of Hegen’s intellectual property, proprietary information and confidential know-how.

• Coordinate non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and related confidentiality documentation with relevant stakeholders throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Support the protection and responsible management of Hegen’s intellectual property and confidential information.

Strategic R&D & Innovation Support

• Partner closely with the Head of Innovation to deliver R&D and innovation priorities and strategic initiatives.

• Support the evaluation and prioritisation of product development opportunities based on strategic, technical, commercial and operational considerations.

• Provide project updates, resource assessments and risk insights to support planning and decision-making across the innovation portfolio.

• Take on broader R&D and innovation leadership responsibilities as capability and experience grow.

Requirements

• At least five years of relevant project management experience, preferably within consumer goods, consumer electronics, manufacturing or physical product development.

• Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional projects from concept and development through to commercial launch.

• Hands-on experience in NPD, product improvement, engineering or manufacturing-related projects.

• Demonstrated experience in project costing, budgeting, expenditure tracking and forecasting, alongside procurement coordination and supplier management.

• Strong working knowledge of project management methodologies, frameworks, tools and software.

• Good understanding of product development and manufacturing processes, with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.

• Experience with plastics manufacturing, tooling and new product introduction (NPI) would be advantageous.

• Strong stakeholder management, negotiation, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to drive alignment and accountability without direct authority.

• Demonstrated ability to manage external partners, manufacturers and suppliers, align expectations and drive delivery against agreed timelines, costs and requirements.

• Strong commercial and operational awareness, with the ability to balance product quality, cost, manufacturability, timelines and business objectives.

• Highly organised and meticulous, with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to project execution.

• Adaptable and solutions-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity, complexity and changing priorities.

• Strong ownership and accountability, with the ability to anticipate risks, make sound decisions and drive projects through to successful completion.

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or an equivalent project management qualification would be advantageous.

Who We Are

At Hegen, we redefine the parenting experience with award-winning innovations tailored for mothers and their little ones. As a trusted brand in mother and baby products, our mission is to empower mothers in their breastfeeding journey and ease the transition into parenthood through meaningful products and services. Recognised as one of Singapore's top 10 fastest growing companies, Hegen takes pride in creating practical solutions that combine thoughtful designs with functionality and sustainability for time-strapped parents.

Equal Opportunity & Data Protection Statement

Hegen is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. By submitting your application, you consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal data for recruitment and employment-related purposes in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

Join Us

At Hegen, we are passionate about fostering a purpose-driven, inclusive and collaborative work environment where every team member can thrive. We are committed to supporting personal growth and offering opportunities for career development at every stage of your journey.