Research & Development Manager in Northumberland

Lawson Fuses Limited (LFL) is seeking an Engineering Manager for the R&D department for its headquarters located in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. This is a key role for the business, and the role holder will be part of LFL's global leadership team and will manage all aspects of the stage gate process for new products from project initiation, concept design through to final design, testing and launch. The additional aspects of the role will include technical support, research and development.

Main purpose of the role is to strategically align Lawson Fuses in the Low Voltage fuse gear electrical marketplace by creating product roadmaps and accelerating new product development through innovation and adopting cutting-edge materials. This is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate, as you will influence and help shape the profile, reputation, and growth of Lawson Fuses. This role also gives an opportunity to develop and train a robust product development team.

Job Context: Incorporated in 1938, LFL is an established British and global brand that operates in the fuse gear market with a focus on design, development and manufacture of 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 and accepted throughout the world. With manufacturing facilities based in the UK and India, LFL’s global clientele is spread across several countries including (not limited to) the UK, Middle East, Africa, India, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea and Hong Kong. With ISO 17025 ASTA certified R&D lab and ASTA certified manufacturing plants, LFL is keen on safety, quality and speed of product delivery. From 2018, LFL is part of Lucy Group which is a diversified international group headquartered in Oxford, UK and operates in multiple sectors including Power Distribution, Smart Lighting, Fuse Gear and Real Estate. Lawson Fuses under the banner of Lucy Group is focusing on accelerated growth of its product line and subsequently the share of the market. The role of PDM will be directly influencing the vision of the business.

This job vacancy has arisen due to potential retirement of the incumbent manager.

Job Dimensions: This is a full-time role based in our Newcastle upon Tyne plant. This role reports to the General Manager of the business and will work closely with sales and operations teams to implement product roadmap strategies. There are four dimensions to this role: (1) develop and implement product roadmaps; (2) designing product for manufacture and optimised cost; (3) product/lab qualification and certification; and (4) technical support.

This role requires an outstanding technical leader, communicator and exceptional team player with good project management skills who can lead and inspire the wider team. We are looking for someone from an electrical/mechanical/material science background with a successful track record of product development and launch.

Key activities of this role will include the following:

• Strategic product roadmap for the business – Development and Implementation
• Tactical technical execution plan for the business – Development and Implementation
• Drive product development and other technical activities in line with monthly targets
• Product verification testing in line with compliance required
• Technical support for existing product lines
• R&D lab qualification and certification in line with compliance required
• Collaboration with sales and operations team across sites to address any compliance and/or quality issues.

Key Accountabilities: These will include:

• Research: Identifying and researching on technical market trends and gaps in close collaboration with sales and marketing teams.
• Researching on new materials and compositions required for improving products to meet cost, compliance, sustainability and customer needs.
• Design: Designing the concept to meet technical, legal and commercial requirements.
• Adopting design for manufacture, value engineering and design-to-cost concepts.
• Creating intellectual property as part of fuse gear design and enabling product differentiation.
• Product bills of material development, drawings office control and design change control.
• Development & Testing: Product development via proven product life cycle methodologies (agile will be beneficial) and stage gate processes.
• Working to technical standards and preparation for product qualification (BS88, BS1361, EN&IEC 60269, ENA, UL etc.).
• Type testing including internal tests (temperature rise, power dissipation etc.) and external type tests in qualified labs for verification/validation of the product.
• Project Management: Robust management of projects including budgets, timelines, stakeholders, risk management and associated support activities.
• Activities to manage include product development, lab upgrade and procurement of new equipment/infrastructure, new product supply chain support etc.
• Technical and Administrative Support: Running an accredited test laboratory to ISO/IEC 17025.
• Assisting sales team with tenders and product justification.
• Capital expenditure – planning and justifying the expense.
• Dealing with sub-contractors/service providers.
• Actively participate in trade Association and technical Activities (e.g., BEAMA & BSI).
• Actively participate in BSI, EN and International (IEC) standardisation activities.
• Hosting of Audits for department/lab and factory.
• Technical Support to operations and quality team.
• Collaboration with universities on material analysis.

Communication: Preparation of management documents, departmental targets, and board reports. Work closely with sales on product launch activities including technical marketing, whitepapers, masterclasses etc.

People: Recruit, mentor, train and grow a robust product development team. Current team comprises of 1 x Assistant Manager R&D, 1 x mechanical engineer, 1 x electrical engineer, 1 x materials engineer and 2 lab technicians spread across two sites. The medium-term plan anticipates growth in the team for accelerated product development. Both UK and India team are further supported by test technicians.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills:

• 15+ years’ experience within technical roles. Preferably 3 to 5 years’ experience as a R&D Manager, Engineering Manager, Lead Engineer and/or supervisory or lead position.
• Experience in working in a manufacturing environment, especially electrical circuit protection would be a major advantage.
• Experience in working in low voltage and medium voltage components.
• Education: Ideal candidate will have an engineering qualification preferably a master’s degree in relevant discipline.
• Technical background – Electrical, mechanical and/or material experience. Material experience includes sand (silica/quartz), ceramics, copper, silver, brass, insulation materials, moulded plastics etc.
• Experience of learning and understanding new technical concepts.
• Experience of working to technical IEC/BS standards (option - UL).
• Good understanding of general compliance – CE / UKCA marking requirements.
• Running an accredited test laboratory and experience in laboratory techniques.
• Excellent interpersonal and business communication skills.
• High level of initiative with the ability to self-motivate.
• Works well independently and in team settings.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel around the UK & globally.
• Exceptional organisational and time management skills.
• Experience in collaborating with global cross-cultural teams.
• Strong computer skills with high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office and other related business systems. Exposure to modelling tools will be helpful (e.g., Solidworks, Ansys etc.).

Behavioural Competencies:

• Vision to look towards the long-term future including coaching and support of the team.
• Able to work under pressure & to challenging deadlines.
• Willingness to learn and develop.
• Ability to confidently motivate and provide direction to a cross-functional team.
• Creative thinker and doer.
• Proactive can-do attitude.
• Maintain a high level of self-motivation and independence.