Head of Product Management

GMP Recruitment are proud to be partnered with one of the UK’s leading and fastest-growing manufacturers for the aerospace industry, located in Northamptonshire. We are supporting our client by recruiting a Head of Product Management to join their team on a full-time permanent basis. This position would be ideal for anyone with a strong track record of Engineering achievement associated with the technical development of safe and reliable technical products to cost, schedule and quality. This is a full time, permanent position that can offer a competitive basic salary up to £82K, plus excellent company benefits including 25 days holiday + bank holidays, life assurance, healthcare scheme, pension, employee assistance programme, retail discounts and 37.5 hours per week with a 1pm finish on a Friday.

Main duties:

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for the end-to-end development of seating product lines, from concept through to certification, production, and eventual retirement or upgrade.
• Define and maintain a long-term product roadmap aligned with market trends, regulatory developments, and customer needs across various seating classes and configurations.
• Lead a cross-functional engineering team, including mechanical and electrical disciplines, to deliver innovative, safe, and certifiable product solutions on time and within budget.
• Collaborate with senior engineering, validation, and certification stakeholders to ensure product designs meet all necessary regulatory, airframe integration, and internal performance requirements.
• Drive innovation in materials, design modularity, passenger experience, and technology integration, balancing considerations such as cost, weight, durability, and manufacturability.
• Act as a key interface with customers and airline operators to gather insights, understand operational requirements, and translate those into market-leading product offerings.
• Analyse competitor offerings and benchmark product performance, cost, and innovation to inform continuous improvement and maintain a competitive edge.
• Work closely with internal departments including design, certification, manufacturing, programme management, and supply chain to coordinate and deliver successful product launches and updates.
• Ensure compliance with relevant airworthiness authorities (e.g., EASA, FAA) and aircraft OEM standards during all phases of development, including dynamic testing and safety requirements.
• Oversee the integration of new technologies such as in-seat power, inflight entertainment, digital connectivity, and sensor-based systems, aligning with customer expectations and industry trends.
• Optimise product portfolios by reviewing usage data, customer feedback, and in-service performance to inform decisions on upgrades, cost reductions, or platform retirements.
• Maintain commercial oversight of the product line, including pricing strategies, cost management, margin performance, and return on investment.
• Make strategic decisions on product lifecycle management including feature updates, platform investment, and product sunsetting based on market demand and operational viability.

Required skills and experience:

• Strong Mechanical Engineering related degree.
• Strong track record of Engineering achievement associated with the technical development of safe and reliable technical products to cost, schedule and quality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to challenge and influence at a senior management level.
• Strong negotiating and decision-making skills.
• Strong planning and organisational skills — with the ability to manage multiple, complex projects and the associated resources.
• A flexible mindset — with the ability to respond positively and creatively to changing priorities.
• Ability to operate under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Focus on results — driving actions to reach challenging goals, proactively overcoming all obstacles.
• Resilient, with a positive approach to achieving results.
• Willingness to engage in occasional UK and worldwide travel; or to support extended working hours when necessary.

If you want to be part of an agile, innovative business at the forefront of disrupting the aerospace market, then this is the role for you. If the above position sounds perfect for you, or you require more information, please click apply or contact GMP Recruitment directly.