Product Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne

We are seeking a seasoned Product Manager with experience in LV and MV fusegear to lead development, standardization, and life cycle management (Introduction, growth, maturity and decline) of low-voltage and medium-voltage fusegear products. The role involves working closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality and commercial teams to deliver reliable, compliant and cost competitive protection solutions for industrial, utility and infrastructure applications. This is a new role within the business and presents a fantastic opportunity to influence and shape the profile, reputation and growth of Lawson Fuses globally.

Lawson Fuses Limited (LFL), established in 1938, designs, develops and manufactures low voltage High Rupture Capacity (HRC) fuse-links and associated fuse holders. LFL's products are ASTA certified and comply with IEC/BS/ENA standards. Manufacturing facilities are based in the UK and India, with a global client base across multiple regions. LFL holds ISO 17025 ASTA certified R&D labs and ASTA certified manufacturing plants, focusing on safety, quality and speed of product delivery. From 2018, LFL became part of the Lucy Group, a diversified international group. Lawson Fuses, under the Lucy Group, focuses on accelerated growth of its product line. The Product Manager role will directly influence the vision of the business.

Responsibilities

• Product Strategy and Portfolio Management: Own and manage the fusegear product portfolio including fuses (gG, aM, aR, etc.), fuse bases, carriers and other ancillary products; define the product roadmap aligned with market demand and manage lifecycle including rationalisation.
• Product Development and Engineering Interface: Conduct market research via customer visits to understand current and future needs; work with R&D on fuse element design, arc extinction, striker mechanisms and insulation systems; define product specifications including voltage, current ratings, breaking capacity, temperature rise and coordination requirements; support type testing, routing testing and validation activities; manage engineering changes and variant rationalisation.
• Standards, Testing and Compliance: Ensure compliance with standards (IEC 60269, IEC 60947, ENA12-6, BS88, UL, etc.) and support 3rd party labs for type test and approvals; maintain technical documentation, datasheets, catalogues and certification records.
• Marketing and Communications: Gather data, analyse market positioning, track competitors and market trends; collaborate with marketing on target market needs, channel strategies and product communications; develop product and segment specific technical collateral.
• Commercial and Market Support: Support pricing strategy, cost structures and margin improvement initiatives; participate in industry exhibitions and provide technical support and training to sales teams, distributors and customers; assist in product launches, tenders and customer presentations; engage with OEMs, panel builders, utilities, EPCs and renewable energy customers.
• Manufacture, Quality and Supply Chain: Collaborate with R&D, Quality and Manufacturing on design for manufacture, cost optimisation, delivery readiness and serviceability; support alternative material development and vendor qualification; work with quality to analyse failures, warranty claims and field issues to maintain product health.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• Required skills and competencies: Strong technical expertise in LV & MV fusegear and/or other electrical protection systems; deep knowledge of fuse characteristics, selectivity, coordination and application engineering; experience in product lifecycle management within a manufacturing setup; understanding of electrical standards, testing protocols and certification processes (ISO, IEC, ENA, BS, UL); strong cross-functional coordination and communication skills.
• Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical or materials engineering; 5-12 years' experience in fusegear, switchgear or other electrical protection products; hands-on experience with LV, MV development, testing and application engineering.
• Behavioural Competencies: Team player, results-focused, able to manage multiple projects, good people management and customer handling skills; strategic thinking, able to work under pressure, initiative and strong analytical skills; customer-focused, proactive, assertive, tenacious and willing to challenge when required; strong work orientation and ownership to deliver on time; ability to form effective relationships across the matrix; concise and precise communication.