NPI & Lifecycle Governance Lead

About the role

We are looking to hire a Director of NPI & Lifecycle Governance to join our Global Supply Chain organization.

Reporting to the VP of Supply Chain, this is a global, highly cross-functional role responsible for the end-to-end governance of New Product Introduction (NPI) and product lifecycle transitions, from launch readiness, ramp-up and phase-out. The role connects with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Commercial, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain to ensure that product launches are operationally ready and that risks, dependencies and decisions are addressed at the right time in within the Operations team.

This is also an opportunity to help shape and further develop how we manage NPI and lifecycle governance globally. The organization and operating model continue to evolve, so we are looking for someone who is comfortable building and improving processes while operating in a dynamic environment.

The role is based in our HQ in Stäfa, Switzerland and requires international collaboration across functions, regions and manufacturing sites (30 % travel expected).

Key responsibilities

• Lead launch-readiness governance, bringing together the relevant functions to provide a clear, fact-based view of whether the organization is ready to launch.
• Ensure operational readiness across manufacturing, suppliers, materials, capacity, demand and supply planning, logistics, service, master data and market deployment.
• Coordinate and challenge cross-functional launch plans, identify risks and dependencies, and ensure that the right stakeholders make the necessary decisions at the right time.
• Drive effective lifecycle transitions, including phase-in and phase-out planning, cannibalisation assumptions, last-time buys, inventory run-down, obsolescence and service/spare-parts considerations.
• Use data and analysis to challenge assumptions, highlight inconsistencies and provide clear recommendations and options to senior decision-makers.
• Own and continuously improve the launch scorecard and portfolio readiness view, providing transparency on readiness, risks, actions and key decisions across the NPI portfolio.
• Drive continuous improvement through post-launch reviews, lessons learned and stronger, more consistent ways of working across the organization.
  
  

About you

To succeed in this role, you combine strong experience in NPI, product launches, lifecycle management, supply chain or operations with the ability to connect multiple functions and turn complex information into clear actions and decisions.

You are comfortable leading through influence rather than authority. You know when to challenge assumptions, how to identify the questions that need answering, and how to bring the right people together to move decisions forward.

Given the global nature of the role, you bring strong executive presence and credibility with senior stakeholders, while being equally comfortable engaging with teams at all levels of the organization. You are able to translate complex technical and operational topics into clear business language and are comfortable working in an evolving environment where processes and ways of working are still being shaped.

Ideally, you bring:

• 8+ years of relevant experience across NPI, launch excellence, product lifecycle management, manufacturing, supply chain, operations or complex cross-functional program leadership.
• Proven experience coordinating complex product launches and working across multiple functions, regions and/or manufacturing sites.
• Strong knowledge of phase-gate governance and launch readiness, with an understanding of manufacturing and supplier readiness, demand/supply/capacity planning, lifecycle transitions and inventory risk.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to use data to challenge assumptions, assess risks and support fact-based decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with demonstrated ability to create alignment and accountability.
• Experience operating in a global, matrix organization; experience in medical devices, life sciences or another regulated and complex product environment is an advantage.
• A hands-on, pragmatic approach and the ability to build and improve governance, processes and ways of working in an evolving environment.
• A university degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management or a related field. Formal project, programme or process-management training is expected; PMP, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma or APICS/ASCM certification is an advantage.
• Fluent in English. German or additional languages are an advantage.

What we offer

As one of the world’s leading hearing care providers headquartered in Switzerland, we’re committed to building an inclusive culture. We want to create an environment where you can balance a successful career with your commitments and interests outside of work, through our flexible hybrid working model. We offer a wide range of training opportunities for both your professional and personal development, and there are exceptional growth opportunities with individual development plans.