NPD Project Manager

Haystack Selection is recruiting an NPD Project Manager for an established manufacturing business.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of new product development projects from initial concept through testing, validation and production release. You'll bring together the people, plans and processes needed to keep several projects moving, with clear responsibilities and decisions at every stage.

If you enjoy bringing structure to complex projects, working closely with engineering and production teams, and seeing new products reach manufacture, this could be a great next move.

The role

Working closely with Design, Technical, Production and Quality, you'll manage projects through a structured stage-gate process. You'll also lead a small team of technicians carrying out prototype builds, trials and internal testing.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing multiple development projects, setting clear plans, milestones, priorities and responsibilities.

• Agreeing project scope, deliverables and acceptance criteria with key stakeholders.

• Monitoring timescales, resources and budgets, identifying risks and resolving issues early.

• Leading project meetings and stage-gate reviews, ensuring actions are followed through and approvals recorded.

• Coordinating prototype builds, internal trials and external testing.

• Ensuring test results, corrective actions and changes are properly documented.

• Confirming products are ready for release, with complete documentation and a clear handover to Production.

• Planning technician workloads and supporting the team's performance and development.

• Improving the development process and providing clear progress updates to senior management.

What we're looking for

You'll have experience managing product development or new product introduction projects within manufacturing, alongside a practical understanding of how products move from concept into production.

You'll also bring:

• Experience managing several projects at different stages.

• Knowledge of stage-gate or comparable structured development processes.

• Strong planning, documentation and follow-up skills.

• Confidence coordinating technical teams, suppliers and external testing partners.

• An understanding of prototypes, testing, validation and production readiness.

• People management experience.

• The confidence to challenge incomplete work, follow up on commitments and keep projects moving.

Experience with APQP, quality systems, regulated manufacturing, external certification or product approvals would be useful. A relevant engineering, manufacturing or project management qualification and experience using or developing Microsoft Power BI would also be advantageous.

We welcome applications from a range of manufacturing sectors where structured product development and introduction are central to the role.