About the Role
We are seeking an experienced New Product Development (NPD) Project Manager to lead and drive the successful delivery of new products from concept through launch within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This individual will manage complex cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment between sales & marketing, technical development, operations, and business strategy.
The ideal candidate is not only technically skilled but also a strong communicator and team leader who thrives in ambiguity, drives accountability, and fosters a collaborative culture.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the end-to-end planning and execution of new product development projects, ensuring alignment with business goals, quality standards, and time-to-market expectations.
* Coordinate and facilitate collaboration across functions including advanced design, design engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, quality, and sales & marketing.
* Develop comprehensive project plans with defined milestones, budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.
* Proactively identify and mitigate project risks, manage trade-offs, and resolve issues to maintain project momentum.
* Ensure products meet requirements for performance, safety, cost, manufacturability, and compliance.
* Lead regular project reviews and status updates with leadership and stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
* Foster strong supplier and partner relationships to support development and scaling efforts.
* Contribute to continuous improvement efforts within the NPD process and promote best practices in project management.
Your Qualifications & Experience
* Technical or project management qualification.
* Experience leading product development projects in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
* Deep understanding of the NPD lifecycle, from ideation to production launch.
* Proficiency in project management software and tools (e.g., MS Project, Wrike).
* Knowledge of design for manufacturability (DFM), product validation, regulatory compliance, and cost engineering is an advantage.
Behavioural & Interpersonal Skills:
* Leadership and Influence: Ability to motivate cross-functional teams, influence without direct authority, and drive accountability across departments.
* Adaptability: Comfortable working in dynamic environments, pivoting quickly when priorities or assumptions shift.
* Proactive Problem Solver: Anticipates challenges, thinks critically, and develops creative, practical solutions to complex problems.
* Clear Communicator: Communicates effectively across all levelstechnical and non-technical audiences, internal stakeholders, and external partners.
* Collaboration: Builds trust, encourages input, and values the diverse perspectives of team members to drive better outcomes.
* Results-Driven: Maintains a strong focus on meeting goals and delivering business value, while balancing quality and speed.
* Detail-Oriented Yet Strategic: Manages the big picture without losing sight of executional details.
* Resilient and Calm Under Pressure: Maintains composure and positivity in high-stakes or deadline-driven situations.
Values & Behaviours
We Pass It On With Pride
* Delivering against key measurables at various stage gates throughout the Project.
* Highly motivated and driven to ensure the Project is a complete success.
We Look Ahead
* Project Lead with end to end accountability for New Model development.
* Constantly looks for opportunities to improve.
* Makes tomorrow better.
We Roll up our Sleeves
* Results orientated.
* Decision maker and problem solver.
* Excellent communicator delivering with impact. Able to persuade and communicate at all levels.
We are One Community
* Leads by example providing support to ensure targets are met.
* Team player who coaches and mentors team members to get the best results.
About the Department
Our Project Management team drives initiatives from concept to completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
Working closely with colleagues across the business, they coordinate resources, manage risks, and monitor progress to achieve successful outcomes. With a focus on organisation, communication, and problem-solving, the team plays a key role in turning plans into reality and supporting the growth and efficiency of the business.
The Bailey Family
Bailey of Bristol is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of leisure vehicles, with a proud history of craftsmanship and innovation. We are committed to producing high-quality leisure vehicles that inspire adventure, and we take pride in our skilled workforce, strong team culture, and dedication to excellence.
We have been building Bailey leisure vehicles here in South Bristol since 1948 and are now very much part of the local community. We are also the tenth largest private company in Bristol and the largest recruiter in the area.
The majority of our employees live nearby and have been with us for a long time, with the average length of service around 10 years. As a result, our workforce possesses the necessary skill and experience to successfully produce a complex range of caravans, motorhome and campervans in the same production facility.
What We Offer
As a large business we have opportunities in many areas and can offer people wide and varied careers, all of which attract an excellent benefits package. We are continually reviewing our offering to ensure we remain an employer of choice in the local area.
All positions at Bailey attract excellent benefits including...
Financial & Remuneration
* Competitive salaries (with entry-level hourly rates above the Real Living Wage)
* Enhanced Company Pension Scheme
* Life Assurance Cover from day 1 of employment
* Salary exchange Cycle to Work scheme
* Financial support through salary advance and travel loan schemes
Social & Culture
* Excellent holiday entitlement (25 days a year plus Bank Holidays) with additional entitlement for long service
* Enhanced family friendly pay; Maternity pay (24 weeks full pay followed by 15 weeks statutory pay) / Paternity pay (2 weeks full pay)
* Longer weekends as a result of an early finish every Friday (role dependent & subject to business needs)
* Monthly recognition awards
* 25% discount at our partner company PRIMA Leisure
Health & Wellbeing
* Health cashback scheme
* Corporate gym memberships
* Bi-weekly free fruit mondays
* Employee Assistance Program
* On-site Mental Health First Aiders
* HRT treatment support
Learning & Development
* Dedicated induction & onboarding
* Career progression opportunities
* Role-specific training
* Opportunity to apply for Apprenticeship Levy support courses
Find out more by clicking on the links below.