Job Description
Senior Operations & NPI Project Lead
Full-time | Permanent | On-site – Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK
A global leader in high-precision scientific instrumentation is hiring for a newly created position based at their fast-growing UK development and manufacturing site. This is a strategic role focused on leading New Product Introduction (NPI) activities across engineering, operations, and supply chain. You'll play a key part in bridging R&D and Ops to ensure complex products move from concept to commercial production smoothly and at scale.
Why this role?
The business is scaling rapidly, with multiple overlapping development projects and increasing pressure on delivery timelines. They’ve created this role to bring structure, coordination, and clear accountability across teams. There’s also scope to build a team longer-term.
What you’ll do:
• Lead cross-functional alignment across R&D, operations, procurement, planning, and manufacturing
• Own product realisation strategy—costing, sourcing, BOMs, engineering changes
• Improve and refine NPI frameworks and stage-gate processes
• Develop project timelines and manage milestones and risk
• Facilitate scenario planning and decision-making with senior stakeholders
What you’ll bring:
• 5–6+ years leading NPI or complex cross-functional projects in a regulated engineering/manufacturing setting
• Strong grasp of product lifecycle management and operational planning
• Skilled in MS Project, Jira, and familiar with Agile and Lean methodologies
• Confident communicator, able to influence at senior level and drive alignment across diverse functions
What’s on offer:
• Competitive salary and bonus
• Long-term development opportunity
• Private medical, life assurance, income protection
• Strong employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Flexible working arrangements (with on-site focus initially)
If you're ready for a high-impact leadership role at a growing site where you’ll be close to both strategy and execution, this is worth exploring.
👉 Interested? Message me directly or apply to start a confidential conversation.