Head of Delivery

Current state

A New Zealand product development business designing advanced motor, controller, and embedded technologies that power millions of appliances worldwide. Backed by a global manufacturing group, it combines world-class R&D capability with high-volume production. Following recent structural changes, the business has redefined its engineering model to bring greater clarity, ownership, and delivery rigour across projects. 

The teams are highly capable, the products complex, and the opportunity to strengthen delivery systems significant.

Why now

The company is entering a new phase of growth, expanding beyond its core laundry technologies into emerging categories such as connected fitness and compact motor systems. With this evolution comes the need for a strong bridge between product, engineering, and operations - someone who can build a consistent, transparent delivery model that scales. 

The newly created Head of Delivery role exists to establish that framework, embed best practice, and lead complex programmes from R&D through to high-volume manufacture.

The Opportunity

As Head of (Project) Delivery, you'll establish and lead the newly formed dedicated project management discipline while personally steering complex development programmes from concept through to manufacturing hand-off.

You'll report to the General Manager Product Development and work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and commercial teams to ensure every project moves efficiently through design, validation, and production.

You'll inherit early-stage frameworks already in use and take them to the next level - systemising what works, improving what doesn't, and building delivery confidence across teams.

Your focus is bringing delivery discipline, clarity, and predictability to a business known for deep technical innovation.

The role includes occasional travel to China, to connect design and manufacturing teams, align delivery processes, and build relationships that support end-to-end project success.

This is a highly collaborative environment that values curiosity, accountability, and practical leadership. You'll enjoy flexibility, autonomy, and an onsite culture that keeps people connected - including chef-prepared meals and regular team engagement.

You'll Be Responsible For

• Building a high-performing project delivery function and setting best practice frameworks across multiple product lines
• Embedding consistent governance, documentation, and reporting for all projects and programmes
• Leading critical product development initiatives hands-on, balancing technical depth with delivery oversight
• Driving transparency across schedule, cost, quality, and scope so teams can plan and adapt confidently
• Acting as the central point between engineering, manufacturing, finance, and leadership to ensure seamless execution
• Coaching teams to lift project management maturity and delivery performance across the organisation

What You'll Bring

• 15+ years delivering large, multi-disciplinary projects in a high-tech or product development environment
• Proven success establishing or uplifting PMO capability within complex hardware engineering businesses
• Strong grasp of the full product development lifecycle from requirements and prototyping through to validation and high-volume manufacture
• Background in one or more of embedded software, electrical, or mechanical engineering
• Expertise in both Stage-Gate and Agile methods and how to adapt them to hardware contexts
• Clear, decisive communication style and the ability to turn ambiguity into action

Why This Role

• Lead delivery across a globally connected, high-impact engineering business where world-class R&D meets large-scale manufacturing
• Influence how products move from design to production floor
• Join a team of passionate engineers who value rigour, collaboration, and curiosity
• Build a delivery function that will shape how this business scales for years to come

If you're ready to bring structure, pace, and delivery excellence to a New Zealand engineering success story, we'd love to hear from you.