Job Description Head New Product Development (NPD)

Location: Ludhiana, Punjab
Department: New Product Development
Experience: Relevant experience in NPD / Product Development in a manufacturing environment/ Hand Tools Industry

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the complete NPD cycle from customer RFQ/drawing review to SOP and production handover.
- Review customer drawings, specifications, standards and manufacturing feasibility.
- Plan and monitor NPD projects, timelines, milestones and development budgets.
- Lead prototype development, trials, testing, validation and customer sample submissions.
- Coordinate with Design, Production, Quality, Tool Room, Purchase, PPC, SCM and suppliers for timely development.
- Drive APQP/PPAP activities and ensure timely customer approvals.
- Review and control BOM, Process Flow, PFMEA, Control Plan, Work Instructions and inspection standards.
- Lead product costing covering RM, conversion, labour, process, tooling, plating/heat treatment, freight and other relevant costs.
- Establish Should-Be Cost / Zero-Based Costing (ZBC) and analyse target vs. should-be vs. actual cost.
- Drive VAVE / Value Engineering through design optimisation, material alternatives, weight reduction, process improvement and part consolidation.
- Lead BOP development including component identification, technical evaluation, costing, sampling, quality validation and timely availability.
- Lead Vendor NPD / Supplier Development from supplier identification and feasibility through sample approval, capability validation, PPAP and SOP.
- Coordinate with Purchase and suppliers for tooling,



fixtures, gauges, samples and process development.
- Evaluate supplier quotations and establish competitive target/should-be costs.
- Drive Design-to-Cost, DFM and supplier cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality or functionality.
- Monitor development issues, conduct root-cause analysis and ensure timely closure.
- Ensure smooth NPD-to-production transfer, process stabilisation and successful SOP.
- Maintain NPD, BOP, Vendor NPD, ZBC and VAVE trackers and present project status, risks, costs and savings to management.
- Develop and mentor the NPD team and standardise product-development processes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

- On-time NPD project completion
- Customer sample / PPAP approval within target timelines
- Product Cost vs. Target Cost
- ZBC / Should-Be Cost vs. Actual Cost
- VAVE and cost savings achieved
- Timely BOP development and availability
- Vendor NPD / Supplier Development completion
- Supplier PPAP and capability approval
- Development cost and lead-time reduction
- Reduction in NPD rejection and rework
- Successful SOP and production handover
- Cost reduction through design, process and supplier development

Preferred Profile

- Strong experience in NPD, product costing, APQP/PPAP, VAVE, BOP and supplier development.
- Hands-on experience in a manufacturing / engineering environment.
- Robust cross-functional coordination and project-management skills.
- Ability to drive cost optimisation, product development and timely productionisation.

Apply at - [email protected]

📌 Npd Manager (Ludhiana)
🏢 Eastman Cast & Forge
📍 Ludhiana