Job description
Head of New Product Development (NPD)
Groove Pillows
Company Overview
We are a pioneering e-commerce brand focused on designing, developing, and launching innovative and clinically proven pillows that alleviate musculoskeletal pain during sleep. With a commitment to improving sleep quality and overall well-being, we combine cutting-edge technology, medical expertise, and ergonomic design principles to create products that make a tangible difference to the lives of our customers.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and visionary Head of New Product Development (NPD) to lead our dynamic remote working and global team in creating ground-breaking solutions that address musculoskeletal pain and improve well-being. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in product development, empathise with our vision and have experience with ergonomic design, with the ability to lead a cross-functional team to bring new products from concept to market. Significant experience of the ‘concept to finished goods in warehouse’ manufacturing process - particularly within regions such as China and the Far East, across multiple territories is desirable.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Develop and execute the overall NPD strategy aligned with the company's vision, mission and business goals in order to grow revenue in line with targets and budgets.
- Hire and lead a team of product managers, designers, engineers, and researchers to drive innovation and create world-class products.
- Collaborate closely with medical professionals, researchers, and external partners to ensure the clinical efficacy of our products.
Product Innovation:
- Identify market trends, pain points, and emerging technologies to inform the development of innovative pillow and other solutions.
- Leverage consumer insights and user feedback to drive continuous product improvement and innovation.
- Champion a culture of creativity and exploration within the NPD department to foster breakthrough ideas.
Product Development:
- Oversee the end-to-end product development process, from ideation and prototyping to testing, manufacturing, and launch.
- Ensure that products meet rigorous quality standards, regulatory requirements, and clinical efficacy benchmarks.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing, to drive seamless product development cycles.
Cross-Functional, Commercial Collaboration:
- Work closely with marketing teams to align product development with brand positioning and messaging.
- Collectively own the commercial viability and cost/profit optimisation for all products and services working closely with relevant internal teams and external partners/suppliers.
- Collaborate with supply chain and manufacturing teams to ensure smooth production and timely delivery of products.
- Partner with customer support and sales teams to provide technical expertise and support during product launches and customer engagement.
Project Management:
- Establish clear project timelines, milestones, and goals for each NPD initiative.
- Monitor project progress, identify potential bottlenecks, and implement solutions to ensure projects stay on track.
Leadership and Team Development:
- Foster a collaborative and innovative environment within the NPD department, promoting open communication and knowledge sharing.
- Provide mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members.
- Nurture a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
Other Requirements
Essential:
- Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Engineering, Business, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Proven track record of successfully leading new product development initiatives, preferably in the healthcare, medical devices, or consumer goods sectors.
- Excellent project management skills with a focus on delivering products on time and within budget.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Passion for innovation, problem-solving, and making a positive impact on people's lives through product development.
Desirable:
- Good understanding of pain relief solutions, ergonomic design principles, and clinical validation processes.
- Demonstrated experience in managing remote cross-functional teams and driving collaboration across different departments.
- Excellent project management skills with a focus on delivering products on time and within budget.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strategic thinker with a forward-looking mindset, capable of identifying and capitalising on industry trends.
- Passion for innovation, problem-solving, and making a positive impact on people's lives through product development.
- Knowledge of regulatory requirements and quality standards related to medical and consumer products is a plus.
Join us as the Head of New Product Development (NPD) at Groove Pillows, a pioneering e-commerce brand dedicated to developing innovative pillows that alleviate musculoskeletal pain during sleep. In this initially part-time role, you'll work with our global remote-working team to craft innovative solutions for musculoskeletal pain relief. With the potential to grow into a full-time position, you'll develop and execute the NPD roadmap, hire and lead a team, foster cross-functional collaboration, oversee product development and nurture a culture of innovation within the department and organisation as a whole. Your expertise will shape our mission to enhance well-being and transform lives through visionary product development. If you're a dynamic leader with a passion for innovation, seize this opportunity to drive meaningful change.
- Competitive pay with lots of growth potential
- Freelance role initially with view to progressing into a PAYE role
- Fully remote (or Hybrid if located in Lisbon)
- Flexible working hours
Job Types: Freelance, Temp to perm, Part-time
Part-time hours: 8 per week
Salary: £30.00-£50.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexitime
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Flexitime
Education:
- Bachelor's (required)
Experience:
- Product management: 5 years (required)
Work Location: Remote
Reference ID: Groove Pillows Head of Product