Head of New Product Development

Head of New Product Development Manchester, UK | Senior Engineering Leadership | Progressive Cavity Pumps Mackinnon Bruce International is delighted to be partnering with a leading global engineering business in the appointment of a Head of NPD & Concurrent Engineering. This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an experienced Progressive Cavity (PC) Pump / Positive Displacement Pump professional to take ownership of New Product Development, Product Engineering and Concurrent Engineering across a global product portfolio. The role will play a key part in driving product innovation, engineering excellence, reliability, cost optimisation and speed-to-market across UK, European and international markets. The Opportunity As Head of NPD & Concurrent Engineering, you will lead the development and engineering of Progressive Cavity Pump solutions from initial concept through to commercialisation and production. Working closely with Sales, Application Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement and Service, you will establish a truly concurrent approach to product development, ensuring customer requirements, manufacturability, quality, cost and reliability are considered from the outset. This is a particularly attractive opportunity for a technically strong, hands-on engineering leader who wants to have a direct impact on product strategy, technology development and global NPD. Key Responsibilities Lead the complete design and product engineering of Progressive Cavity Pumps, including rotors, stators, elastomers, shafts, seals, bearings, drive trains and associated components.Own the New Product Development lifecycle, from concept, design and prototyping through testing, validation and production launch.Develop application-specific pump solutions across sectors including wastewater, oil & gas, chemicals, food, mining, biogas, paper & pulp and general industrial markets.Drive optimisation of rotor/stator geometry, hydraulic performance, efficiency, pressure capability, wear resistance and service life.Lead Concurrent Engineering initiatives across Sales, Application Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement and Service.Drive Design for Manufacture, Design for Assembly, Design-to-Cost, value engineering, standardisation and modularisation.Lead the technical investigation and resolution of field failures, warranty issues and complex customer applications.Drive product benchmarking, technology development and continuous product improvement.Ensure products meet relevant CE, ATEX, ISO and applicable UK/European customer and industry standards.Develop, mentor and lead a high-performing European/global product engineering and NPD team.Establish and deliver the organisation's PC Pump technology and NPD roadmap. What We're Looking For We are particularly interested in speaking with engineering leaders who have a strong technical background in Progressive Cavity Pumps or Positive Displacement Pumps. You will ideally bring: B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering.Approximately 18–25 years' relevant industry experience, ideally within Progressive Cavity Pumps, Positive Displacement Pumps or related rotating equipment.Strong hands-on expertise in PC Pump design, rotor/stator technology, elastomers, hydraulics, sealing systems, bearings and drive systems.A proven track record in NPD, customised engineering and product industrialisation.Experience leading engineering, product development or technical teams.Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product cost drivers and engineering optimisation.Experience working with UK, German or wider European customers/markets would be advantageous.Knowledge of CE, ATEX, ISO, CFD/FEA and 3D CAD would be beneficial. The Person We are looking for a hands-on technology and engineering leader who combines deep technical expertise with the ability to lead teams and influence across a wider organisation. You will be comfortable moving between strategic product development and detailed engineering challenges, with a strong focus on turning customer and market requirements into reliable, competitive and manufacturable products. You should be commercially aware, collaborative and confident working across international engineering and business functions. Key Objectives Success in the role will be measured through: Delivery of NPD projects against agreed timelines and objectives.Improved pump efficiency, pressure capability, reliability and service life.Reduction in field failures and warranty issues.Reduced design and engineering lead times.Delivery of engineering cost-reduction and value-engineering initiatives.Faster resolution of critical customer and application requirements.Increased product standardisation and modularisation.Delivery of the agreed technology and NPD roadmap.Continued compliance with applicable technical and regulatory requirements. Why Consider This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to join a globally focused engineering organisation at a senior level and play a significant role in shaping the future of its Progressive Cavity Pump technology. You will have the opportunity to influence product strategy, engineering capability, NPD, technology development and global product performance, while building and leading a strong engineering function. Interested? Mackinnon Bruce International is managing this appointment exclusively on behalf of our client. If you have the relevant Progressive Cavity Pump or Positive Displacement Pump engineering background and are interested in discussing this opportunity confidentially, please get in touch with the Mackinnon Bruce International team. Location: Manchester, UK Sector: Industrial Engineering / Pumps / Rotating Equipment Function: Engineering / NPD / Product Development Level: Head of Engineering / Senior Engineering Manager / AGM