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
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