Job Description

Entity: WIN
Job Title: Assistant Manager – NPI (New Product Introduction)
Grade: WIN F / WIN E / WIPRO WATER B2 / WIPRO WATER B3
Business Unit: Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (Hydraulics)
Department: New Product Introduction (NPI)

Role Description

Responsible for leading the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) process from concept approval through product development, validation, industrialization, Start of Production (SOP), and stabilization.

The role involves driving cross-functional coordination across Engineering, Sourcing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Suppliers, and Customers to ensure successful launch of new products and components while meeting quality, cost, delivery, and customer expectations.

The incumbent will lead project execution, supplier development, component industrialization, cost optimization, risk management, and customer engagement while ensuring adherence to APQP, PPAP, and stage-gate processes.

Qualification

• BE / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline.

Desired Experience

• 12–15 years of relevant experience in New Product Development, Component Development, Project Management, or NPI within manufacturing industries.
• Strong exposure to hydraulic products, heavy engineering, automotive, off-highway equipment, industrial products, or related sectors preferred.

Eligibility Criteria for Internal Applicants

• Minimum experience in the current role: 2 years
• Minimum performance criteria (HVC/MR for last 2 years): HVC
• Grade criteria: WIN F / WIN E / WIPRO WATER B2 / WIPRO WATER B3

Key Responsibilities

1. NPI Program Management

• Lead New Product Introduction projects from project award through SOP and stabilization.
• Define project scope, milestones, deliverables, budgets, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Establish project governance and conduct regular stage-gate reviews.
• Monitor project performance against quality, cost, delivery, and business targets.
• Drive recovery plans and corrective actions for deviations from project commitments.

2. Product & Component Development

• Lead development of machined, forged, cast, fabricated, welded, and hydraulic components from concept to production release.
• Coordinate feasibility studies, design reviews, manufacturability assessments, and value engineering activities.
• Participate in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews.
• Ensure component development aligns with customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capabilities.
• Support product validation, testing, and qualification activities.

3. Supplier Development & Industrialization

• Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers for new product and component requirements.
• Lead supplier capability assessments, technical reviews, and process audits.
• Drive localization, supplier readiness, process capability improvements, and production ramp-up activities.
• Coordinate process prove-outs, production trials, pilot runs, and industrialization activities at supplier locations.
• Ensure supplier compliance with quality, delivery, and commercial requirements.

4. APQP & Quality Management

• Lead APQP activities throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Ensure timely completion of PPAP submissions and customer approvals.
• Drive FMEA, Control Plans, Process Flow Diagrams, and quality planning activities.
• Monitor product validation, capability studies, and production readiness reviews.
• Facilitate structured problem-solving and corrective action implementation.

5. Cost & Margin Management

• Develop and validate cost models, including Zero-Based Costing and Should-Cost Analysis.
• Drive value engineering and cost reduction initiatives throughout product development.
• Monitor project profitability and ensure target cost achievement before SOP.
• Work closely with Sourcing and suppliers to achieve cost competitiveness.
• Support commercial teams during customer quotation and negotiation processes.

6. Risk & Change Management

• Identify project, technical, supply chain, and manufacturing risks proactively.
• Maintain project risk registers and mitigation plans.
• Lead management of engineering changes, scope changes, and design modifications.
• Ensure effective implementation of changes across relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor critical path activities and address project bottlenecks.

7. Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a key interface for customers during the product development phase.
• Conduct regular project reviews with customers and internal leadership teams.
• Communicate project status, risks, recovery plans, and milestone achievements.
• Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction during product launch and ramp-up.

Key Skills Required

Manufacturing Technologies

• Machining
• Casting
• Forging
• Fabrication
• Welding
• Heat Treatment
• Surface Treatment & Coating Processes
• Hydraulic Components and Systems
• Component Industrialization and Production Readiness

Engineering & Quality Tools

• APQP
• PPAP
• FMEA
• Control Plans
• Process Flow Diagrams
• MSA
• SPC
• GD&T
• DFM / DFA
• Root Cause Analysis
• Six Sigma Problem-Solving Tools

Commercial & Project Management

• Cost Estimation & Cost Optimization
• Zero-Based Costing / Should-Cost Analysis
• Project Planning & Scheduling
• Supplier Development
• Risk Management
• Value Engineering
• SAP / ERP Systems
• MS Project or equivalent Project Management Tools

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Strategic Project Leadership
• New Product Introduction (NPI) Management
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Supplier Development & Industrialization
• Technical Problem-Solving
• Decision-Making Under Ambiguity
• Stakeholder Management
• Customer Relationship Management
• Negotiation & Influencing Skills
• Cost & Margin Management
• Execution Excellence
• Results Orientation

Preferred Candidate Profile

• Proven experience in taking products from concept through SOP and volume production.
• Strong experience in component development and industrialization.
• Hands-on exposure to machining, casting, forging, fabrication, welding, and assembly processes.
• Strong knowledge of APQP, PPAP, and advanced quality planning methodologies.
• Proven experience in supplier development and product industrialization.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing customer-facing development projects.
• Strong exposure to hydraulic products or allied engineering industries preferred.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time SOP Achievement
• New Product Launch Success Rate
• Project Cost Adherence
• Target Margin Achievement
• PPAP Approval on First Submission
• Supplier Readiness Achievement
• Engineering Change Closure Effectiveness
• Customer Satisfaction
• Cost Reduction / Value Engineering Savings
• Product Quality at Launch

Reporting to

Head / Manager – NPI

Work Location

Wipro Infrastructure Engineering (Hydraulics), Peenya, Bengaluru

Recruiter

v.srinivasa@wipro.com

Position Level

Assistant Manager – NPI (New Product Introduction)

Preferred Industry Background

Hydraulics, Automotive Components, Heavy Engineering, Off-Highway Equipment, Construction Equipment, Agricultural Equipment, Industrial Products, Precision Engineering, Component Manufacturing, and related manufacturing industries.