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New Product Development Specialist

POSITION SNAPSHOT

JobReq ID:  55283
Type of work:  On site
Type of contract:  Open-ended/permanent
Full/Part Time:  Full time
Location: 

Johannesburg, ZA

ABOUT US

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM), headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bridgestone Europe, Middle East and Africa (BSEMEA), headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, operate collectively as a “Bridgestone West” strategic region. This region services the strategic business needs of teams across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa. BSAM and BSEMEA are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Corporation, globally headquartered in Japan. Bridgestone and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand products and solutions to address the needs of a broad range of customers and industries.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job Purpose 

To lead and support the development, testing, and launch of new tyre products aligned with market needs, customer requirements, and company strategy within the A/ME markets.

Implementation of all new product development & localisation activities for Brits both on replacement and original equipment and support product improvement activities.

This role focuses on delivery excellence, ensuring that products are developed, localized, and launched on time, within budget. The role acts as the operational bridge between A/ME market needs and global-local (Brits) R&D teams.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Act as project manager for all allocated local projects for Brits (OE/REP).
  • Manage new product development/localization projects, timelines and milestones to ensure release on time deliverables. In line with company direction and OB/MTP commitments
  • Coordinate testing and validation with technical centres to support product readiness activities
  • Coordinate with S&R (Standards and Regulations) team & ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (e.g., ECE, DOT, local homologation, AME market requirements).
  •  Coordinate cross-functional teams (R&D, marketing, supply chain, sales).
  • Support product portfolio requirements including introductions, upgrades, and phase-outs.
  • Support marketing teams with technical input for product launches.
  • Monitor product technical performance after mass production launch.
  • Support Product Team through information and expertise sharing and development of best practices.

 

 

Qualifications & Experience Required 

Education, Master, other certification

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management 

Experience (years):

  • Experience: 3–5 years of successful project management experience.
  • Execution: Proven track record of delivering projects on time and in full.
  • Industry Focus: Prior knowledge of the tyre industry is highly advantageous.

Preferred

  • Project management certification.
  • Experience working with OEMs (automotive manufacturers).
  •  Knowledge of regulatory standards (ECE, DOT, ISO).
  •  Tyre development knowledge advantageous.

Languages Skills:

  •  Proficiency In English is essential

Skills & Competencies:

  •  Strong project management and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives in parallel.
  • Solid understanding of product development processes and lifecycle management.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across regional and global teams.
  •  Ability to translate market requirements into clear technical and delivery inputs.
  • Structured, detail-oriented, and proactive problem solver.

 

 

 

WHAT WE OFFER

At Bridgestone, what really matter is to foster co-creation opportunities and empowering you to be creative and curious to make mobility safer, more efficient, and more sustainable for future generations. Whatever role you fill, when you represent Bridgestone, you are a valued teammate, and part of our larger mission to “Serve Society with Superior Quality”, for that, we offer you more than just a competitive payment; we will provide you:

  • A supportive and engaging onboarding experience to ensure a smooth transition into our team.
  • The opportunity to develop and grow, through training and regular mentorship.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
  • A truly global, dynamic and challenging work environment.
  • Agility and work/life effectiveness and your long-term well-being.
  • A diverse and inclusive team.

We are committed to create an even more inclusive culture that advances equity, embraces individuality, and helps our increasingly diverse teammates, customers, and communities thrive, by providing equal opportunities in employment. This means that all job applicants and members of staff will receive equal treatment and that we will not discriminate on grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, color, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.

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