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- Tasks: Lead cross-functional teams to drive New Product Introduction projects from concept to manufacturing.
- Company: Waters Corporation is a global leader in specialty measurement, innovating for over 60 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days leave, pension contributions, life assurance, and private medical coverage.
- Why this job: Join a purpose-driven team focused on innovation and making a real impact in health and safety.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in engineering or management; PMP certification preferred with extensive NPI experience.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Overview
Are you a seasoned project leader with a proven track record in New Product Introduction (NPI)? Do you thrive at the intersection of R&D and Operations, ensuring seamless collaboration across functions? We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Senior Manager to drive the execution of NPI projects, ensuring a smooth transition from concept to manufacturing.
In this role, you will be at the heart of innovation, engineering, and operational excellence, leading cross-functional teams to bring new products to life with precision and efficiency.
Responsibilities
- Cross-Functional Leadership – Spearhead collaboration between R&D, Operations, and Business teams, ensuring alignment in engineering, planning, procurement, and production to optimize product introduction.
- NPI Execution & Strategy – Lead a team of professionals, overseeing product realization plans, sourcing strategies, costing models, BOM structures, and engineering change processes.
- Process Enhancement – Partner with R&D and Quality teams to refine NPI frameworks, improving planning, stage-gate management, and execution efficiency.
- Project Management Excellence – Develop integrated project timelines, track milestones, manage dependencies, and ensure critical-path activities are addressed proactively.
- Decision-Making & Stakeholder Engagement – Facilitate discussions, drive scenario planning, and ensure teams operate with clarity, alignment, and urgency.
Qualifications
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, management, or equivalent experience. A higher-level degree and PMP certification are preferred.
Experience & Expertise
- Extensive cross-functional experience in NPI, collaborating across R&D, Operations, and Business to drive successful product introductions.
- Proven track record in delivering complex, multi-geography projects within a matrix organization.
- Expertise in product lifecycle management, risk assessment, and project governance.
- Strong working knowledge of MS Project, Jira, and other planning tools.
- Experience with Agile & Lean methodologies, ideally in a regulated manufacturing environment.
Key Competencies
- Highly adept at negotiation, stakeholder management, and decision-making in complex environments.
- Operates with clarity, confidence, and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Able to influence senior leadership and foster a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Strong technical acumen with an ability to connect strategy to execution.
What We Offer
In addition to a competitive salary, we provide:
- Flexible working arrangements
- 25 days of annual leave
- Attractive employer pension contribution
- Life assurance & income protection
- Private medical coverage
At Waters, we empower leaders to drive innovation, build strong cross-functional relationships, and deliver exceptional results. If you\’re ready to take your NPI expertise to the next level, we\’d love to hear from you!
Company Description
Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), the world\’s leading specialty measurement company, has pioneered chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis innovations serving the life, materials, and food sciences for over 60 years. With approximately 8,000 employees worldwide, Waters operates directly in 35 countries, including 15 manufacturing facilities, with products available in more than 100 countries. Our team focuses on creating business advantages for laboratory-dependent organizations to enable significant advancement in healthcare delivery, environmental management, food safety, and water quality.
Working at Waters enables our employees to unlock the potential of their careers. Our global team is driven by purpose. We strive to be better, learn and improve every day in everything we do. We’re the problem solvers and innovators that aren’t afraid to take risks to transform the world of human health and well-being. We’re all in it together delivering benefit as one to provide the insights needed today in order to solve the challenges of tomorrow.
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It is our responsibility to actively implement programs and practices to drive inclusive behavior and increase diversity across the organization. We are united by diversity and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or protected Veteran status.
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Senior Operations & NPI Project Lead employer: Waters Corporation
Contact Detail:
Waters Corporation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations & NPI Project Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Waters Corporation's products and innovations in chromatography and mass spectrometry. Understanding their core technologies will help you demonstrate your enthusiasm and knowledge during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in cross-functional leadership, especially in NPI projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully collaborated with R&D and Operations teams to drive product introductions.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your familiarity with Agile and Lean methodologies. Given the emphasis on process enhancement, showcasing your ability to implement these practices in a regulated environment will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your decision-making skills by preparing scenarios where you've had to influence senior leadership or manage stakeholder expectations. This will illustrate your capability to operate effectively in complex environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations & NPI Project Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) and project management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver complex projects.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for innovation and operational excellence. Mention how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience with Agile and Lean methodologies.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your skills in negotiation, stakeholder management, and decision-making. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully navigated complex environments and influenced senior leadership in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Acumen: Mention your proficiency with tools like MS Project and Jira, as well as your understanding of product lifecycle management. This will demonstrate your readiness to handle the technical aspects of the role effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waters Corporation
✨Showcase Your NPI Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience with New Product Introduction projects. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led cross-functional teams and how you navigated challenges during the product lifecycle.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Leadership
Emphasise your ability to collaborate across different departments such as R&D, Operations, and Business. Share instances where you facilitated alignment and communication between these teams to achieve project goals.
✨Highlight Project Management Skills
Discuss your proficiency in project management tools like MS Project and Jira. Be ready to explain how you've developed integrated project timelines and managed dependencies in complex projects.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your decision-making skills in complex environments. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios related to stakeholder engagement and risk assessment in NPI projects.
