New product introduction project manager

NPI Project Manager £Competitive Birimingham --- MDE are recruiting for an experienced NPI Project Manager with a background in fast paced manufacturing with demanding customers and projects The Project Manager will lead and coordinate all plant-based functions during New Product Introduction (NPI) projects, Engineering Changes, and other business or continuous improvement activities as required by the company.

Role Summary: Lead an effective cross-functional plant team, including Tooling, Manufacturing Engineering, NPI Quality, HSE, and Logistics, to deliver new products into production according to NPI Process.

Manage project timing and critical path activities to achieve both internal and external goals on time and within budget.

Lead structured team-based engineering investigations to establish root cause and ensure robust, well-documented issue resolution.

Manage and deliver all in-plant pre-production activities to achieve customer build requirements on time and to agreed quality.

Communicate regularly with the Programme Manager and Programme Team, ensuring that all issues and risks are resolved in a timely manner, with appropriate mitigation/recovery plans in place where applicable.

Ensure coordination and timely implementation of any allocated business or continuous improvement activities.

Manage APQP deliverables, accurately update and release documentation in compliance with customer and internal business processes.

Create presentation material to communicate issues, findings, status, and planning to the wider Programme Team, Management, and end Customer.

Coordinate the creation and submission of Capex applications for new machines and equipment, aligned with project requirements and budget.

Maintain project targets for Budget, Contribution Margin, and cycle times, ensuring profitability of allocated programmes when handed over to production.

Skills/Knowledge Required: At least 5 years of relevant experience within an Engineering/Manufacturing environment.

Degree in a relevant Engineering discipline preferred but not essential (significant industry experience will also be considered).

Experience in multi-functional project management, structured problem-solving, and budget responsibility.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Strong personality with the ability to build working relationships both internally and with customers to drive and deliver results.

Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications, are essential.

MS Project and Minitab experience are highly desirable.

Ability to work independently on multiple parallel projects and prioritise according to changing business needs.

Experience in injection moulding and related plastics assembly processes would be highly desirable.

However, training can be provided with relevant transferable experience.

Full UK driving licence with a flexible approach to travel.

Please note, all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK