NPI Lead

Secretlab is an international gaming chair brand seating over 3 million users worldwide. Our key markets are in the United States, Europe, and Singapore, where we are headquartered.

Our Manufacturing and Supply Chain team is committed to producing high-performance products that offer the best user experience, blending advanced technology with exceptional craftsmanship.

We are seeking a strong leader for our New Product Introduction (NPI) team who can take charge of key product launches while establishing a scalable, cross-functional NPI function. This role offers growth opportunities for someone ready to transition from managing NPI projects to leading NPI strategy, processes, and team development in the near future. You will collaborate closely with the Design, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing teams to ensure our products are developed with a focus on quality, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, while also setting the manufacturing team up for long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end execution of new product introduction (NPI) projects, starting from initial design collaboration and progressing through pilot builds to full-scale production.
• Collaborate closely with the Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to ensure that products are optimized for manufacturability, cost, and quality.
• Drive the application of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Excellence (DfX), and other quality frameworks to enhance production outcomes.
• Develop and deliver customized manufacturing solutions by identifying, sourcing, and assessing new technologies and processes that meet project needs.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings, and tolerances to ensure manufacturing feasibility and compatibility with factory capabilities.
• Manage risks and opportunities related to project timelines, costs, and quality, turning them into actionable plans.
• Ensure that all manufacturing engineering deliverables are completed ahead of key project milestones (e.g., EVT, DVT, PVT).
• Build and continuously improve NPI processes, playbooks, and review structures to facilitate scalable and repeatable product launches.
• Identify gaps in current NPI execution and propose improvements in tooling readiness, design inputs, and supplier collaboration.
• Begin shaping and mentoring a core team of NPI engineers, taking on future responsibilities for hiring and talent development.
• Partner with senior leaders across Engineering, Product, and Operations to align on launch priorities, timelines, and readiness criteria.
• Stay updated with industry trends, manufacturing innovations, and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.
• Support broader operational transformation initiatives aimed at building long-term manufacturing capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 8 to 10 years of experience in product industrialization or new product introduction (NPI), preferably in hardware or consumer electronics.
• At least 5 years of experience managing technical or cross-functional teams.
• Proven success in launching complex products and addressing manufacturing challenges on a large scale.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Excellence (DfX), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and manufacturing processes, particularly in plastic, foam, and cast metal tooling.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications and convert them into actionable manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align diverse stakeholders within a matrix organization.
• Proficient in English and Mandarin to effectively collaborate with Mandarin-speaking suppliers.
• Willingness to travel regionally for supplier and factory engagements.

Bonuses

• Background in the consumer electronics, lifestyle hardware, or furniture industries.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, or NX.
• Experience with Agile methodologies or other structured project management techniques.