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Director New Product Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Zeus

Sr Manager New Product Development

Gaston, SC · On-site

Job Summary The Senior Manager, New Product Development is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional new product development programs from concept through commercialization. This role drives ...

healthybaby

Product Development Director

New York, NY · On-site

New York Metro Area (Hybrid) Reports To: President Role Overview The Product Development Director will lead HealthyBaby's innovation pipeline, translating the Founder's direction, consumer insights ...

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How much do director new product development jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for director new product development in the United States is $163,684.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $131,500.00 and $185,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of New Product Development and how can they be addressed?

A Director of New Product Development often navigates challenges such as balancing innovation with feasibility, aligning cross-functional teams, and managing tight timelines. Successfully addressing these issues typically involves fostering open communication among departments, implementing agile project management methodologies, and establishing clear product development milestones. Staying attuned to market feedback and being adaptable to change are also key strategies for overcoming obstacles and ensuring successful product launches.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of New Product Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of New Product Development, you need a strong background in product lifecycle management, market analysis, and strategic planning, often supported by a degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools (like Jira or Asana), design thinking methodologies, and certifications such as PMP or Agile are typically valuable. Exceptional leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial to successfully drive innovation, align teams, and deliver products that meet market needs and business goals.

What does a Director of New Product Development do?

A Director of New Product Development oversees the entire process of creating and launching new products within a company. This role involves leading cross-functional teams, conducting market research, managing budgets, and ensuring products meet customer needs and business goals. The director coordinates activities from idea generation through design, testing, and final launch, while also aligning the product strategy with the company’s overall objectives. This position requires strong leadership, project management skills, and the ability to drive innovation.

What is the difference between Director New Product Development vs Product Manager?

AspectDirector New Product DevelopmentProduct Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire product development strategies, manages teams, and aligns product innovation with company goals.Focuses on product lifecycle, defines features, and works closely with development teams to deliver products.
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master’s in Business, Engineering, or related fields; extensive experience in product development.Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related fields; experience in product management.
Work EnvironmentStrategic, leadership-focused, often in cross-functional teams within corporate settings.Collaborative, detail-oriented, working closely with engineering, marketing, and sales teams.

The main difference between a Director New Product Development and a Product Manager lies in scope and leadership. The Director leads the overall product development strategy and manages teams, while the Product Manager focuses on specific product features and lifecycle management. Both roles require relevant experience, but the director's role is more strategic and managerial.

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Director New Product Development jobs near you
Sr Manager New Product Development

Sr Manager New Product Development

Zeus Company, Inc.

Gaston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description


Job Summary
The Senior Manager, New Product Development is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional new product development programs from concept through commercialization. This role drives execution excellence across R&D, commercial, quality, and operations teams to ensure timely, compliant, and successful product launches. The position plays a critical role in aligning innovation with business strategy while reinforcing a high-performance, results-driven culture.
Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Execution
  • Lead end-to-end new product development (NPD) programs from ideation through design, validation, understanding customer regulatory approval needs and product launch
  • Establish and manage integrated program plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations
  • Drive accountability across cross-functional teams to meet key milestones and deliverables
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate program risks; escalate issues proactively to senior leadership
  • Partner closely with R&D, Marketing, Quality, Operations and Supply Chain to ensure alignment and execution
  • Lead core team meetings and governance forums; ensure clear decision-making and communication
  • Coordinate design transfer to manufacturing and support scale-up activities
  • Coordinate phase gate review meetings according to Zeus NPD phase gate process to ensure all deliverables are met.
  • Ensure adherence to design control requirements, including FDA and ISO standards (e.g., design inputs/outputs, verification, validation)
  • Partner with Quality to support any submissions and approvals where applicable
  • Drive New Product Introduction (NPI) and commercialization readiness activities
  • Align launch timelines with commercial strategy and market needs
  • Ensure successful product transfer, supply readiness, and support post-launch monitoring working with marketing.
  • Provide regular program updates to executive leadership, including status, risks, and financials
  • Develop and present business cases, project charters, and stage-gate deliverables
  • Ensure strong governance through stage-gate or phase review processes
  • Champion best practices in program management, including stage-gate, Agile (where applicable), and lean methodologies
  • Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives across the NPD lifecycle

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with R&D, Marketing, Quality, Operations and Supply Chain to ensure alignment and execution
  • Lead core team meetings and governance forums; ensure clear decision-making and communication
  • Coordinate design transfer to manufacturing and support scale-up activities
  • Coordinate phase gate review meetings according to Zeus NPD phase gate process to ensure all deliverables are met.

Regulatory & Compliance
  • Ensure adherence to design control requirements, including FDA and ISO standards (e.g., design inputs/outputs, verification, validation)
  • Partner with Quality to support any submissions and approvals where applicable

Product Launch & Commercialization
  • Drive New Product Introduction (NPI) and commercialization readiness activities
  • Align launch timelines with commercial strategy and market needs
  • Ensure successful product transfer, supply readiness, and support post-launch monitoring working with marketing.

Stakeholder Communication & Governance
  • Provide regular program updates to executive leadership, including status, risks, and financials
  • Develop and present business cases, project charters, and stage-gate deliverables
  • Ensure strong governance through stage-gate or phase review processes

Continuous Improvement
  • Champion best practices in program management, including stage-gate, Agile (where applicable), and lean methodologies
  • Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives across the NPD lifecycle

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, or related field (Master's preferred)
  • Minimum of 8 years of experience in product development and within medical devices or regulated industries
  • 5+ years of program/project management experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives
  • Proven track record of successful product launches
  • Deep understanding of medical device development processes, including design controls and regulatory pathways
  • Strong leadership and influencing skills in a matrixed organization
  • Excellent project management capabilities (planning, risk management, budgeting)
  • Exceptional communication and executive presence
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-performance environment
  • PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification
  • Experience with FDA regulations, ISO 13485, and global regulatory requirements
  • Familiarity with Agile or hybrid product development methodologies
  • Drives execution with urgency and accountability
  • Balances strategic thinking with operational excellence
  • Builds strong partnerships and aligns diverse stakeholders
  • Anticipates risks and navigates complexity effectively

Skills & Competencies
  • Deep understanding of medical device development processes, including design controls and regulatory pathways
  • Strong leadership and influencing skills in a matrixed organization
  • Excellent project management capabilities (planning, risk management, budgeting)
  • Exceptional communication and executive presence
  • Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-performance environment

Preferred
  • PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification
  • Experience with FDA regulations, ISO 13485, and global regulatory requirements
  • Familiarity with Agile or hybrid product development methodologies

Success Profile
  • Drives execution with urgency and accountability
  • Balances strategic thinking with operational excellence
  • Builds strong partnerships and aligns diverse stakeholders
  • Anticipates risks and navigates complexity effectively
  • Delivers high-quality products that meet customer and regulatory expectations

About Us
Zeus Industrial Products, headquartered in Orangeburg, South Carolina, is the world's leading polymer extrusion manufacturer and material science innovator. More than 50 years of experience in medical, aerospace, energy, automotive, fiber optics, and more allows us to set the bar high.
Zeus is a great place to work. Expectations are high; our work is meticulous and very precise. Zeus offers an opportunity to join a very successful, family-oriented team. Our products are cutting-edge, our process is unique, and our quality and customer focus are second-to-none. We are a leader in our field and have great relationships with our customers and team members. Many of our team members are the best at what they do in the world. Our customers are leaders in their fields. Our products help save lives.
Continuous Improvement is a way of life at Zeus. Successful candidates will have a desire and ability to take our manufacturing process to the next level. Expectations are high; our work is meticulous and very precise. You must possess the ability to work independently; and the desire to learn a variety of skills. The ability to communicate clearly is imperative, as is the ability to manipulate data using various software packages.
At Zeus, what we do matters, and we pride ourselves in "Turning polymers into possibilities." Expectations are high; our products are cutting-edge, our process is unique, and our quality and customer focus are second-to-none.
Our employees and our customers are at the center of everything we do. Those relationships have been built on a foundation that is supported by our Mission and Vision:
Our Mission: Provide Solutions - Enable Innovation - Enhance Lives
Our Vision: Working Together - Doing It Better
Zeus is an exciting, innovative company that offers competitive pay and a great benefits package. As we continue to push the boundaries of polymer science, we're constantly in need of new ideas, new expertise, and new team members. Are you ready to join us?
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