Senior Manager R&D - Npd Lead (Continence Care) in Manchester

Position Overview

The Senior Manager R&D - NPD Lead is a high‑profile, senior leadership role within the Continence Care Development team, accountable for the execution of new product development projects from concept to market launch. This role is critical to the successful delivery of high quality, timely products that meet the business’s strategic deliverables over a 3-5‑year horizon, through oversight and leadership of diverse cross functional teams (operations, R&D, medical, regulatory, clinical, quality, supply chain, marketing, etc.).

This role is also charged with building and managing an effective product development team responsible for product design, process development, verification/validation and claims substantiation, all in compliance with medical device design controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Single point of accountability for delivering new product development projects towards first launch until commercial product owner/manager takes responsibility. Accountability on strategy and execution on quality, time & cost across Commercial, Technology & Innovation and Global Quality and Operations activities.
• Provide leadership and oversight for project teams and close partnership with project managers to deliver new products to the market.
• Responsible for project scope definition, timelines, escalation, problem‑solving and risk mitigation plans throughout the life of a project.
• Lead the communication regarding a project(s) at the executive leadership forums such as business unit portfolio review and corporate executive leadership team meetings in alignment with the Head of Continence Care R&D.
• Actively partner, influence, advocate and engage the wider business functions such as Regulatory Affairs, Clinical, Marketing, Quality and Operations etc. at both peer and senior level to enable the effective delivery of projects.
• Ensure appropriate visibility and escalation in a timely and coordinated fashion.
• Partner with project manager to define, detail and maintain a series of project plans with clearly identified milestones and execute accordingly to time, quality and cost.
• Ensure detailed and accurate project plans are in place for both the technical aspects of the project and the overall delivery of the project in partnership with the project manager.
• May lead and initiate interactions with 3rd party partners and vendors on technical issues and questions.
• Identify activities needed to mitigate risk during all stages of the projects and resolve by proving out concepts through to practice using methods such as prototyping and or rapid simulation techniques.
• Analyze, interpret and present data from product, process development, clinical and regulatory, quality and operations work in partnership with functional leaders, enabling appropriate stakeholder management and engagement, proposing recommendations and supporting decision making.
• Actively recruit, maintain and develop a team of personnel who can deliver on the projects for 3-5 years, ensuring a competent and clear deputy for this role is in place.
• Coach, train and advise others on design controls and new product development process as a whole.
• Maintain compliance with company Health and Safety policies and ensure that direct reports are compliant.
• Ensure that Quality standards are maintained via compliance with systems and SOPs, particularly in relation to Design Control.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience within the medical device, pharmaceutical, or other heavily regulated industries.
• Minimum 5 years of technical management and/or leadership experience.
• Proven track record of delivering New Product Development (NPD) projects from concept through to market launch.
• Experience leading and influencing cross‑functional teams.
• Confident presenting to, influencing and engaging with C‑Suite and senior executive leadership stakeholders.
• Working understanding of ISO 13485 and ISO 14971 standards, and FDA regulations for design controls.
• Broad understanding of key project functions, including regulatory, quality, manufacturing, clinical, commercial and marketing.
• Strong business and strategic mindset, with the ability to influence and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communicator and strategic thinker, with a strong bias for execution.
• Ability to build, develop and coach cross‑functional teams in line with Convatec High Performing Team principles.
• Experience with the continence care market is preferred but not essential.

Qualifications & Education

Degree in a Scientific or Engineering discipline; advanced degree preferred.

Team

6 direct reports.

Travel Requirements

Position may involve travel, up to 25% of the time, within the UK / Europe and overseas. Most trips will include overnight travel.

Working Conditions

Flexible hybrid working model, with weekly travel to our Deeside site required.

From late 2027/early 2028, this position is expected to transition to our Manchester site, with an anticipated on‑site presence of 2‑3 days per week.

Equal Opportunities

Convatec provides equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, nationality, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic predisposing characteristics or any other basis prohibited by law.