Key Responsibilities:
New Product Development & Innovation
- Lead the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) process, from concept ideation and feasibility assessment through product launch and commercialization.
- Identify new product opportunities based on market trends, consumer needs, customer feedback, and emerging industry developments.
- Develop product concepts, specifications, cost targets, and commercialization plans aligned with business objectives.
- Evaluate new ideas and product concepts based on commercial viability, technical feasibility, production capability, and profitability.
Project Management & Commercialization
- Manage multiple NPD projects simultaneously, ensuring projects are delivered within agreed timelines, budgets, quality standards, and commercial objectives.
- Establish clear project milestones, timelines, deliverables, and responsibilities across all relevant functions.
- Coordinate product trials, prototypes, testing, validation, and pre-launch activities to ensure successful commercialization.
- Identify potential project risks and develop practical solutions to overcome technical, operational, or commercial challenges.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with R&D, Production, Quality, Procurement, Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, and Finance teams throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Translate customer and market requirements into clear product specifications and development briefs.
- Coordinate with suppliers and external partners to source new materials, components, technologies, or solutions required for product development.
- Ensure effective communication between technical and commercial teams to facilitate smooth product launches.
Product Costing & Commercial Evaluation
- Work with Finance, Procurement, and relevant stakeholders to develop accurate product costing and establish commercially viable pricing.
- Evaluate product margins, manufacturing costs, material costs, and potential return on investment.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization and value engineering without compromising product quality or customer requirements.
- Support commercial teams with product information, value propositions, and technical details during customer presentations and business development activities.
Product Testing & Quality
- Coordinate product testing, validation, and performance evaluations to ensure products meet required specifications and quality standards.
- Work closely with Quality and Production teams to identify and resolve product issues during trials and commercialization.
- Ensure new products comply with relevant industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications where applicable.
Market & Competitor Intelligence
- Monitor market trends, competitor products, technological developments, and customer preferences to identify opportunities for innovation.
- Gather feedback from customers, sales teams, and other stakeholders to continuously improve product offerings.
- Conduct competitor benchmarking and market assessments to strengthen product positioning and differentiation.
Launch & Post-Launch Management
- Develop and execute product launch plans in collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and other relevant functions.
- Ensure all product documentation, specifications, costing, samples, packaging, and commercial materials are ready prior to launch.
- Monitor new product performance after launch and identify opportunities for improvement, optimization, or further product development.
- Conduct post-launch reviews to assess commercial performance against initial objectives and identify lessons learned.
Process Improvement
- Establish and continuously improve NPD processes, workflows, documentation, and project management practices.
- Develop appropriate KPIs to measure NPD effectiveness, including development lead time, project success rate, launch performance, and commercial contribution.
- Drive a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Requirements
Job Requirements:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Product Development, Business, Science, Manufacturing, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 5–8 years of experience in New Product Development, Product Management, R&D, Project Management, or a related commercial/technical function.
- Proven experience managing the end-to-end product development and commercialization process.
- Experience within a manufacturing, industrial, consumer products, or B2B environment will be advantageous.
- Candidates with experience managing multiple NPD projects and working across technical and commercial functions are highly preferred.
Technical & Commercial Skills
- Strong understanding of product development processes, product testing, commercialization, and manufacturing requirements.
- Good commercial understanding with the ability to evaluate product costing, margins, pricing, and business viability.
- Strong project management capabilities with the ability to manage timelines, budgets, resources, and multiple stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured approach to evaluating product opportunities.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with ERP, PLM, or project management systems is an advantage.
Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical and commercial teams.
- Excellent project coordination and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
- Proactive, commercially minded, and highly results-oriented.
- Creative thinker with a strong interest in innovation and identifying new business opportunities.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple projects with competing priorities.
- Strong ownership and accountability, with the ability to drive projects from concept through to successful commercialization.
