Manager / Senior Manager – New Product Development (NPD)

Purpose of the Role

To lead New Product Development activities for Gear, Chain, or Bearing products by managing design, development, RFQ evaluation, product validation, and cross-functional coordination. The role will support the Head of R&D in driving new product initiatives, technology development, cost optimization, and customer-focused engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead end-to-end New Product Development activities from concept to production launch.
2. Manage product design and development for Gear, Chain, or Bearing-related components and assemblies.
3. Review customer RFQs, analyze technical requirements, and prepare feasibility assessments.
4. Coordinate with customers, suppliers, manufacturing, quality, and procurement teams during product development.
5. Drive product localization, value engineering, and cost reduction initiatives.
6. Develop and validate product designs through simulations, testing, and prototype evaluation.
7. Support metallurgy-related activities, including material selection, heat treatment processes, case hardening, and induction hardening.
8. Ensure compliance with customer specifications, industry standards, and quality requirements.
9. Lead design reviews, DFMEA, APQP, and engineering change management activities.
10. Provide technical guidance to design engineers and development team members.
11. Monitor project timelines, development milestones, and product launch schedules.
12. Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for product-related issues.
13. Collaborate with the HOD in developing new technologies, processes, and product improvement initiatives.
14. Prepare technical presentations, development reports, and customer review documents.
15. Support continuous improvement initiatives to improve product performance, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong experience in Gear, Chain, or Bearing industry
• Expertise in New Product Development (NPD)
• Product Design & Development
• RFQ Analysis and Feasibility Studies
• Metallurgy Knowledge
• Heat Treatment Processes
• Case Hardening
• Induction Hardening
• Surface Hardening
• Materials Engineering for Ferrous Components
• APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA
• Root Cause Analysis
• Value Engineering & Cost Optimization
• GD&T and Engineering Drawings Interpretation
• Supplier Development & Technical Coordination
• Project Management and Cross-functional Leadership
• Customer Interaction and Technical Discussions

Educational Qualification

• B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's degree is an added advantage.

Experience

• 12 to 18+ years of experience
• Minimum 5 years in a Team Lead / Managerial role
• Proven experience in Gear, Chain, Bearing, Automotive Components, Power Transmission Products, or Precision Engineering Industry.

Leadership Expectations

• Ability to lead and mentor a team of Design and Development Engineers.
• Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
• Capability to independently drive NPD projects while working closely with the Head of R&D.
• Exposure to customer-facing technical discussions and project reviews.

Preferred Industry Background

• Industrial Chain Manufacturing
• Automotive Chain Manufacturing
• Transmission Systems
• Gear Manufacturing
• Bearing Manufacturing
• Precision Machining Components

Automotive Component Industry