Job Title: Head New Product Development (NPD)

Department: Research & Development / Product Development

Reports To: Operation Head/Director

1. Job Purpose

To lead and drive the organization's current product development strategy, from concept generation and feasibility assessment to product design, development, testing, validation, and successful commercialization. The role is responsible for developing innovative, cost-effective, high-quality products aligned with customer requirements, business objectives, and market trends.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. New Product Development & Innovation

- Develop and execute the overall New Product Development (NPD) strategy.
- Identify new product opportunities based on market trends, customer needs, and competitor analysis.
- Lead product development projects from concept to commercial launch.
- Drive innovation, technology development, and continuous product improvement.
- Evaluate new technologies, materials, processes, and product designs.

B. Project Management

- Prepare annual NPD plans, budgets, timelines, and project milestones.
- Ensure timely completion of product development projects.
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, Production, Quality, Purchase.
- Monitor project progress and resolve technical and operational challenges.
- Ensure effective resource allocation and project cost control.

C. Product Design & Development

- Lead product design, engineering, prototyping, and validation activities.
- Ensure products meet customer specifications, performance standards, and regulatory requirements.




- Oversee product trials, testing, and design validation.
- Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Value Engineering.
- Ensure smooth transfer of newly developed products to manufacturing.

D. Customer & Market Focus

- Work closely with Sales and Marketing teams to understand customer expectations.
- Participate in customer meetings and technical discussions.
- Support development of customized products and solutions.
- Monitor competitor products and identify opportunities for differentiation.
- Ensure new products deliver value, quality, reliability, and cost competitiveness.

E. Cost Optimization & Commercialization

- Drive product cost reduction through material optimization and design improvements.
- Evaluate product feasibility, profitability, and commercial viability.
- Ensure target costing and product cost objectives are achieved.
- Support product launch activities and post-launch performance reviews.

F. Team Leadership

- Lead, mentor, and develop the NPD, Design, and Engineering teams.
- Establish clear performance objectives and accountability.
- Build a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.




- Identify training and competency development requirements.

G. Quality & Compliance

- Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and statutory requirements.
- Work closely with Quality teams to establish product validation criteria.
- Ensure proper documentation, specifications, drawings, BOMs, and engineering change controls.
- Implement lessons learned and corrective actions from product failures and customer feedback.

4. Educational Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical / Production Engineering or relevant technical discipline.
- Master's degree in Engineering or MBA in Operations / Technology Management / Business Management will be an added advantage.

5. Experience

- 10–15 years of overall experience in product development, design, R&D;, or engineering.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience in managing end-to-end new product development projects.
- Experience in product industrialization and commercialization.
- Experience in leading cross-functional teams.

6. Required Skills & Competencies

- Strategic thinking and business acumen.
- Strong technical and engineering knowledge.
- Product innovation and development expertise.
- Project and program management.
- Financial and cost management.
- Customer orientation and market understanding.
- Leadership and team-building capabilities.
- Problem-solving and decision-making.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management.
- Knowledge of quality management systems and product development methodologies.

📌 Head New Product Development (Khopoli)
🏢 Newage Fire Protection Industries
📍 Khopoli