Senior Programme Manager - New Product Introduction (NPI)

About the role

We’re seeking an experienced Senior Programme Manager - New Product Introduction (NPI) to join our team at our state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.

This role benefits from our 4xFlex working pattern – a 4 day working week (Monday–Thursday) 2-4 days onsite dependant on meeting business needs

As Senior Programme Manager - New Product Introduction (NPI), you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our business by identifying, developing and delivering new products and capabilities that meet evolving customer requirements, support business growth and align with organisational strategy.

This is a highly visible and transformational leadership role, focused on creating and embedding a robust New Product Introduction (NPI) framework across the business. Rather than managing established programmes, you will drive the development and introduction of future capabilities, working across engineering, operations, business development, strategy and customer communities to take concepts from opportunity identification through to successful delivery.

Lockheed Martin is a global company with a century-long history of designing, building and delivering the most sophisticated defence technologies the world has ever seen. Our team is large and exceptionally talented; an outstanding group to work with and learn from. They embody a culture of collaboration, adaptability and excellence. We support all our people professionally and personally as their work advances the security of the UK, our Armed Forces and our world.

Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for developing and implementing a robust New Product Introduction (NPI) process that supports the identification, assessment, development and delivery of new products and capabilities.
• Lead the transformation of product development governance, establishing best practice processes, frameworks and performance measures across the organisation.
• Work closely with Business Development, Strategy, Engineering, Supply Chain and Customers to identify future capability opportunities and product roadmaps.
• Evaluate market opportunities, customer requirements and business objectives to build compelling business cases for new product investment.
• Lead cross-functional teams through the NPI lifecycle, from concept and feasibility through development, industrialisation and introduction into service.
• Drive effective stakeholder engagement and influence decision-making at senior leadership level to ensure alignment with strategic priorities.
• Identify, manage and mitigate risks and opportunities associated with new product development and capability introduction.
• Champion a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and collaboration across the organisation.
• The successful candidate must achieve the appropriate level (SC) of security clearance. More details can be found here
• Required Skills, Qualifications and Experience
• Significant experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI), Product Development, Capability Development and Programme Delivery within a highly regulated, low volume high value / complex industry sector.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering new products, technologies or capabilities from concept through to operational deployment.
• Experience establishing, improving or transforming product development and stage-gate governance processes.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to evaluate opportunities and develop robust business cases to support investment decisions.
• Experience leading and influencing cross-functional teams without direct authority across multiple business functions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior executives, customers and external partners.
• Excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to drive organisational change and transformation.
• Demonstrable experience balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery execution.

Desired Skills

• APMP, APMPQ, MSP, PRINCE2, or equivalent Programme/Project Management accreditation.
• Experience of Defence acquisition, capability development or product portfolio management.
• Knowledge of NPI methodologies, product lifecycle management (PLM) and stage-gate processes.
• Existing SC or DV Clearance.