Job Summary: - The Head of Product Development will lead the design, development, and refinement of innovative products of the company such as acoustic pods and smart lockers, managing a multidisciplinary team to deliver products that meet the highest standards of quality, functionality, and sustainability. This role requires a holistic approach to product development, considering not only the core function and user experience of the product but also all aspects such as packaging, recyclability, ease of installation, and end-of-life solutions. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in product lifecycle management, from concept through production, ensuring that each product aligns with market trends, environmental considerations, and customer needs.
Key Responsibilities: Strategic Product Development Leadership:
Define and implement product development strategies aligned with company goals, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, quality, and user experience. Going beyond core functionality, considering packaging, material sustainability, recyclability, and ease of assembly and maintenance.
Develop and manage the product development roadmap, prioritizing projects based on market demands, technical feasibility, sustainability requirements, and business impact.
Comprehensive Product Lifecycle Management:
Lead all stages of product lifecycle management, from ideation to development, testing, production, and end-of-life considerations.
Ensure product reliability, safety, and adherence to regulatory standards of different countries.
Lead the planning and development of embedded systems within products, such as custom infotainment features, Bluetooth connectivity, and user control interfaces. Ensure hardware and software components are selected and integrated to meet performance and user experience standards.
Ensure each product is optimized for ease of installation, efficient packaging, and recycling or disposal at end-of-life.
Incorporate eco-friendly materials and processes to enhance the sustainability of each product.
Work with the customer support team to gather user feedback, iterating on products to improve functionality and user satisfaction.
Team Leadership and Mentorship:
Lead and inspire a team of product designers and foster collaboration and high performance.
Set clear goals and performance expectations for the team, providing regular feedback and professional development opportunities.
Market Research and Competitive Analysis:
Conduct market research and analyse trends in office furniture.
Identify opportunities for new products or enhancements to existing offerings based on market needs and customer feedback.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with manufacturing, sales, and marketing to ensure product designs are feasible, cost-effective, and aligned with brand and customer expectations.
Collaborate with the finance team to manage budgets, cost forecasts, and resource allocation.
Prototyping and Testing:
Oversee prototyping, testing, and validation phases to ensure product quality and functionality meet design specifications and customer expectations.
Lead troubleshooting efforts, identifying and addressing any technical or design issues that arise during testing.
Documentation and Reporting:
Maintain comprehensive documentation for all stages of product development, including technical specifications, testing reports, and project timelines.
Ensure product development adheres to the company SOP and policy.
Provide regular updates to executive leadership on product development progress, challenges, and milestones.
Qualifications: Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Product Development, Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
Experience: 8-10 years in product development, with a minimum of 3-5 years in a leadership role, ideally in metal fabrication or embedded systems.
Technical Skills: Comprehensive expertise in design, 3D modelling, and embedded system integration. Background in infotainment systems or smart automation devices, with familiarity in IoT technologies and smart device connectivity. Skilled in developing mobile app interfaces for embedded systems, with experience in metal fabrication products, hardware integration, and electrical component applications.
Project Management: Strong project management skills, with experience managing large, cross-functional projects within set timelines and budgets. Candidates must submit examples of previous successful projects.
Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse technical and market data to inform decision-making.
Communication and Collaboration: Excellent communication skills to present ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Personal Attributes: Strategic thinker with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
Strong leadership skills, capable of building and guiding a high-performance team.
Highly organized, with attention to detail and strong problem-solving abilities.
Ability to manage multiple projects effectively, balancing creative vision with technical constraints.