SECTION HEAD – NPI

Department: Engineering
Location: Kulim Hi-Tech Park, Kulim, Kedah
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Level: Section Head / Senior Engineering Leadership

Job Summary

The Section Head – NPI is responsible for leading and managing the New Product Introduction function, including NPI Engineers, Configuration Engineers and Quotation Engineers.

The role is responsible for ensuring new product introduction activities are properly planned, technically validated, costed, configured and transferred into production according to customer, quality, cost and delivery requirements.

The successful candidate will work closely with Engineering, Production, QA, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Finance and customers to ensure smooth project execution from quotation stage through production launch.

Key Responsibilities

NPI Management

• Lead and manage all New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from project initiation until successful mass production.
• Coordinate feasibility study, product introduction, process readiness and production launch.
• Ensure NPI projects meet agreed quality, cost, delivery and timing objectives.
• Review customer requirements, drawings, specifications, BOM and technical documents.
• Identify technical risks and ensure appropriate mitigation actions are implemented.
• Coordinate trial builds, pilot runs, engineering builds and production qualification activities.
• Ensure project milestones, deliverables and documentation are completed according to schedule.
• Lead cross-functional meetings related to NPI projects and product launch readiness.

Team Management

The Section Head will directly oversee:

• NPI Engineers
• Configuration Engineers
• Quotation Engineers

Responsibilities include:

• Assigning work and project responsibilities.
• Monitoring team performance and project progress.
• Coaching and developing engineers.
• Reviewing technical outputs and recommendations.
• Ensuring proper manpower planning and workload distribution.
• Conducting performance review and competency development.

Configuration Management

• Ensure product configuration, BOM structure, revision control and engineering data are accurately maintained.
• Monitor engineering change implementation and product revision requirements.
• Ensure configuration changes are properly communicated and implemented across relevant departments.
• Support product lifecycle and document control requirements.
• Ensure alignment between customer specifications, BOM, drawings and manufacturing requirements.

Quotation & Costing Support

• Lead engineering support for quotation activities.

• Review customer RFQ, drawings and technical specifications.

• Ensure accurate engineering input for:

  • Material requirements
  • Manufacturing process
  • Labour requirements
  • Equipment / tooling requirements
  • Engineering resources
  • Production feasibility

• Support cost estimation and technical clarification during quotation stage.

• Work closely with Purchasing, Finance, Sales / Business Development and Production to prepare competitive and technically feasible quotations.

Process & Technical Review

• Review proposed manufacturing processes for new products.
• Ensure process flow, tooling, equipment, fixtures and manpower requirements are properly evaluated.
• Support PFMEA, Control Plan, Work Instruction and process validation activities where applicable.
• Ensure manufacturing risks are identified before production launch.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and process optimisation activities.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with:

  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Production
  • QA / Quality Engineering
  • Supply Chain
  • Purchasing
  • Warehouse
  • Finance
  • Customers / External parties

• Ensure all departments are aligned before product release and production launch.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements in NPI lead time, project execution, quotation accuracy and configuration management.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve manufacturability and improve project efficiency.
• Support digitalisation and engineering system improvements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electronics Engineering or related field.

• Minimum 7–10 years of engineering experience, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

• Minimum 2–3 years of supervisory / team leadership experience.

• Strong experience in NPI, project management, product transfer or manufacturing engineering.

• Experience in BOM, configuration control and engineering change management.

• Good understanding of manufacturing processes and production flow.

• Experience in quotation, costing or engineering feasibility assessment is an advantage.

• Strong knowledge of:

  • NPI process
  • BOM / Configuration Management
  • Engineering Change Management
  • Project Management
  • Manufacturing Process
  • PFMEA / Control Plan
  • Costing & Quotation

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Good communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia.

Added Advantage

• Experience in semiconductor equipment, machinery, precision engineering or high-mix manufacturing.
• Experience dealing directly with customers on technical matters.
• Familiarity with ERP / PLM / Engineering systems.
• Experience with QAD, SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement methodology.

Key Competencies

• Leadership
• Project Management
• Technical Review
• NPI Management
• Configuration Management
• Quotation & Costing
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Problem Solving
• Customer Communication
• Continuous Improvement