Product Development / NPI Engineer

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Product Development / NPI Engineer to lead new product introduction (NPI) initiatives and build manufacturing capabilities across our global factory network. This role is central to driving innovation, ensuring smooth product-to-manufacturing transitions, and delivering technical solutions that support operational excellence.

You will play a key role in enhancing product performance and manufacturability by analysing post-launch data and customer feedback. Your insights will help identify opportunities for cost reduction, quality improvement, and design optimisation. You’ll also ensure that lessons learned are captured and applied to future development projects, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

By joining us, you’ll become part of an inclusive, global FMCG company with over 25,000 employees worldwide, where your expertise will help shape the future of our product portfolio. As part of a global remit, you’ll collaborate with Innovation, Category, Quality, and Manufacturing teams, leading investments and projects that bring ideas to life on a large scale.

Principle Accountabilities

• Drive the development and execution of new product and process initiatives, including associated investments.
• Ensure seamless scale-up from design to full mass production across multiple sites.
• Develop qualification protocols and partner with Quality to implement robust product and process standards.
• Manage product and process changes with comprehensive validation and qualification.
• Use data insights, PFMEA, and RCA methodologies to optimise performance and mitigate risks.
• Contribute to global technical standards, share knowledge, and support ESG and manufacturing excellence.

Skills and Experience Required

• Experience in a similar role with a strong track record of delivering complex, multi-site projects.
• Solid understanding of product engineering, NPI, and high-volume mass production processes.
• Skilled in business case preparation, investment management, and cross-functional project delivery.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential; Polish is an advantage.
• Able to engage stakeholders, foster collaboration, and introduce new approaches in a dynamic environment.
• Agile mindset, problem-solving skills, and willingness to travel internationally as required.

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.