Programme Director - Product Development
COMPANY BACKGROUND:
SLINGCO is an award-winning supplier of high-quality tools and accessories for the installation and handling of cable, with over 40 years of industry heritage. We serve customers in over 70 countries worldwide from our head office in Lancashire, UK, and bases in Georgia, USA, and Bengaluru, India.
Our products are used in safety critical applications for a wide range of markets. With sectors including oil & gas, civil engineering, aerospace, transport, utilities, marine/offshore and the military – there’s no room for error. That’s why we do everything with the utmost care and precision.
We design and manufacture to the highest specifications and test to destruction. If our products don’t meet and exceed the most stringent national and international standards, they’re not good enough for our customers.
At Slingco, our goal is to create innovative high-quality products that our customers can depend on, whilst providing a positive experience for our customers and our employees. Every aspect of our work, culture and commitment to innovation is driven by our core values.
LOCATION: Onsite at Slingco's Head Office in Rawtenstall, Lancashire
BENEFITS
33 days’ annual leave including Bank Holidays, rising to 38 with service
Option to purchase up to 5 additional holidays
Hybrid working option for eligible roles
Enhanced employer pension contributions
Your birthday off every year
Life assurance cover worth 4x salary
Gym membership
Cycle to Work scheme
Employee loan scheme
Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Programme Director - Product Development will lead the delivery of strategically important engineering and product development programmes across the business.
The role is responsible for establishing and driving cross-functional coordination and execution across the organisation including engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, operations, sales, marketing, fulfilment, design and commercial teams to ensure programmes are delivered safely, effectively, on time, within budget and aligned to business objectives.
Working closely with senior leadership, the role will oversee multiple concurrent programmes including New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI) and engineering change, initiatives across Slingco’s international operations.
The role will ensure alignment across the full product lifecycle, coordinating activities from concept development and market requirements through design, operational readiness, customer introduction and ongoing product support.
The position will play a key role in establishing and maintaining robust programme governance, prioritisation, resource planning and delivery disciplines within a fast-paced and growing engineering organisation, ensuring alignment between strategic objectives and operational execution.
The role requires a strong combination of technical understanding, programme leadership, commercial awareness and stakeholder management capability, with the ability to drive delivery through collaboration, influence and accountability across multiple functions and geographies.
KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Leadership and Delivery
Lead multiple concurrent engineering and product development programmes from concept and market alignment through to implementation, customer introduction and operational handover
Manage programme timelines, budgets, priorities and resource planning activities
Support and drive New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities across all functions within the business
Coordinate cross-functional delivery activities across engineering, sales, marketing, fulfilment, quality, design and operations to ensure successful commercial and operational execution of programmes
Manage and develop scalable programme management processes and governance across international operations
Ensure effective transition of products and engineering changes into manufacturing and operational environments
Lead programme review and escalation process with senior leadership teams
Support strategic business transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
Stakeholder Management
Drive cross-functional coordination between engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, operations, sales, marketing, fulfilment, design and commercial teams
Provide clear programme reporting and updates to senior leadership and Board-level stakeholders
Build strong working relationships across departments to ensure alignment, accountability and pace of execution
Coordinate activities across multiple sites, suppliers and international stakeholders
Leadership and Coaching
Line management, coaching and development of junior Project Managers, ensuring effective workload allocation, performance management and professional growth
Mentor and support business wide colleagues on project management best practice
Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration and delivery excellence
Governance, Planning and Controls
Maintain and develop programme governance, reporting structures, delivery milestones and risk management processes
Identify and manage programme risks, dependencies and escalation points
Develop and optimise standardised project and programme management methodologies, tools and reporting processes
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Strong leadership and management skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the business
Excellent organisational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively
Ability to balance technical, operational and commercial priorities while driving alignment across multiple business functions
Commercially aware with strong analytical and problem-solving capability
Proactive, resilient and delivery-focused approach within fast-paced environments
Ability to build collaborative cross-functional relationships and drive continuous improvement
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:
Degree qualification in Mechanical Engineering, related engineering discipline, or qualification by experience
Demonstratable ability to lead engineering or product development programmes within a manufacturing or engineering environment
Proven experience managing cross-functional teams across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, sales, marketing, fulfilment, design and operations
Strong experience in New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI)
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent programmes and priorities
Strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets, timelines and delivery performance
Experience implementing programme governance and project management best practices
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including Board-level reporting
Strong leadership, influencing and decision-making capability
Experience operating within fast-paced, growth oriented businesses
Highly organised with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Knowledge and experience of engineering change management and stage-gate development process
Formal project or programme management qualification (APM, PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent)
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and agree phasing and programs for strategic objectives
Develop implementation strategies for delivery of strategic objectives
Be responsible for administration of projects
Setting up and delivery of best practice PMO systems and controls
Lead service delivery with existing key clients, maintaining and strengthening the client relationships, using opportunities to grow the PMO role in change management
Gain the confidence of the internal client and become the focal point for communication
Represent the company in a professional and diligent manner, meeting, negotiating and corresponding with all clients and partners forming a strong working relationship in true partnership
Ensure consistency of service delivery and to identify opportunities for developing both the quality and profitability of the service
Assist in providing best practice and continuous improvement within delivery teams