As Head of NPI (New Product Introduction), you will define and drive the NPI function within our Global Product Industrialization organization. Your mission is to ensure smooth, efficient, and transparent product introductions—from initial concept to full ramp-up—while maintaining excellence in quality, cost, and timing.

You will bridge the gap between strategy and execution, ensuring every new product and change initiative transitions seamlessly into mass production.

NPI Process Leadership & Lifecycle Coordination

• Oversee and harmonize all product change activities, including Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and product refreshes.

• Align product changes with portfolio strategies to maximize efficiency and minimize disruption.

• Implement structured Change Impact Assessments linking product, supplier, and operational readiness.

Launch Control Tower & Transparency

• Establish and lead a "Launch Control Tower" as the single source of truth for program status, risks, and readiness.

• Develop performance dashboards and early-warning systems to proactively mitigate risks.

• Drive launch cadence reviews focusing on KPIs: on-time delivery, yield, readiness index, and cost compliance.

Cross-Functional Orchestration

• Act as the operational integrator between Product Development, Industrialization, Supply Chain, Quality, and Procurement.

• Champion collaboration routines like Launch Readiness Reviews, NPI Councils, and Ramp-up Clinics.

• Partner with Product teams to ensure launches align with commercial priorities.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead a small, high-performing NPI team and build a scalable global NPI methodology.

• Eliminate bottlenecks using Lean and Agile principles within the Product Development Process (PDP).

• Introduce best-in-class benchmarks based on APQP, PPAP, and hybrid stage-gate models.

• Establish "Design-to-Industrialization" feedback loops to continuously improve launch performance.

Experience & Education

• 7+ years of experience in NPI, Program Management, or Change Management in a product-driven environment (e.g., consumer electronics, automotive, or manufacturing).

• Proven track record in scaling NPI/PDP frameworks in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Expertise in project governance, industrialization, and ramp-up management.

• Experience with digital manufacturing tools such as PLM, ERP, and MES.

• Familiarity with agile and stage-gate methodologies.

• Fluency in German and English (written and spoken).

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to influence and align diverse teams.

• Data-driven decision-making with strong analytical problem-solving capabilities.

• High resilience and adaptability in fast-paced environments.

• Deep understanding of manufacturability, supply chain readiness, and cost-to-launch dynamics.

• Global Teamwork: We collaborate across departmental and country borders on our vision to bring the Toniebox into every child's room in the world.
• Come as you are: This applies not only to the dress code but also to everything else. Because only where you truly feel comfortable can you give your best.
• Mobility: Choose the option that suits you best - a Deutschlandticket (public transport ticket) for unlimited mobility, a monthly contribution for an office parking space, a leasing bicycle, or a remote work subsidy.
• Enhanced Security: Benefit from subsidies for company pension plans, occupational pension schemes, and occupational disability insurance.
• Rest & Time Off: Enjoy 30 days of paid annual leave as well as three additional days off such as Rosenmontag, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve. After one year of employment, you can also use up to 10 "toniecation days" (unpaid leave days).
• Continuous Learning: Benefit from our internal and external training opportunities as well as an individual learning budget to continuously expand your knowledge.
• Language Learning & Relaxation: Improve your communication skills with the language learning app Babbel and find relaxation through our access to the meditation app Calm.
• Discounts: Benefit from attractive discounts on our entire range of tonies products.