Product Development Manager
Pubblicato il 01-10-2026 - Elzéar Executive Search in Italia
A leading Brazilian boat builder (~400 boats/year, up to 62 ft) is hiring a Product Development Manager (H/F).
Mission
- Lead new product development from concept to production launch, with design, composites, molds, tooling and industrialization considered at every stage.
- Reports to the CEO.
- Leads a team of 15 engineers. Works alongside the Technical Director, Manufacturing Director and Quality Manager.
Core responsibilities include:
- Product Development & Engineering: specifications, architecture, prototyping, validation, value engineering.
- Project Governance & NPI: Stage-Gate/APQP, portfolio, milestones, risks, CEO reporting.
- Design for Industrialization: complete BOMs and technical packages, pilot builds, hand-over to the shipyard.
- Composites, Molds & Tooling: GRP/CFRP, vacuum infusion, plugs, molds, jigs.
- Yacht Design & Naval Architecture Integration: working with yacht designers, naval architects and shipyards;
deck hardware, outfitting, CE/ISO/classification.
- Team Leadership & Capability Development: coaching and growing the team.
Candidate Profile
- Required Experience: 15+ years in industrial Product Engineering;
shop-floor experience is mandatory.
- Yachting, marine or composites experience is required.
- Education: degree in Mechanical, Naval Architecture, Marine or Materials Engineering.
- Languages: fluent English;
Spanish and Portuguese are a plus.
- Technical Competencies: CAD (NX, CATIA, Rhino), DFM/DFA, PLM/PDM, FMEA.
- Highly Desirable: yachts, carbon fiber, a network among European shipyards.
- Leadership Profile: hands-on, low-ego, accountable.
Relocation support in Recife, Brazil - full expatriation package.