Product Development Engineer

Role Overview

The Product Development Engineer will identify, research, evaluate, and develop products to meet customer requirements and support the growth of Servetech Group across the UAE, Oman, India, and other GCC markets. The role involves technical product evaluation, market research, supplier identification, quotation management, price comparison, database maintenance, and coordination with sales, procurement, manufacturing, and quality teams. The candidate will help expand the company's product portfolio by identifying new products, brands, manufacturers, and suppliers while ensuring technical suitability, competitive pricing, quality, and availability.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Development and Market Research
• Research and identify new products, brands, and manufacturers suitable for the UAE and GCC markets.
• Study customer requirements, sales enquiries, upcoming projects, market demand, and industry trends.
• Identify opportunities to expand the company's product and trading portfolio.
• Research competing products, technical specifications, applications, brands, and market prices.
• Evaluate products based on technical suitability, quality, availability, cost, and applicable industry standards.
• Identify products suitable for regular stock based on demand and business requirements.
• Maintain an updated database of products, brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and market information.
• Recommend suitable products and alternatives to the sales team.
• Technical Product Evaluation
• Receive product enquiries from the sales team and review specifications, drawings, catalogues, datasheets, and application requirements.
• Identify suitable products, brands, manufacturers, and alternative solutions.
• Compare customer requirements against supplier offerings and highlight technical deviations.
• Obtain technical clarifications, drawings, certificates, and supporting documents from suppliers.
• Assess product feasibility and recommend technically suitable, cost-effective alternatives.
• Support product development, testing, prototype evaluation, and improvement activities where applicable.
• Ensure proposed products meet relevant quality, safety, and industry requirements.
• Supplier Identification and Development
• Identify and develop a reliable supplier network, including manufacturers, authorized agents, distributors, stockists, traders, and OEMs.
• Search for suppliers and products through company websites, online platforms, industry directories, social media, exhibitions, and other sources.
• Send enquiries to multiple suppliers to obtain competitive prices, technical details, and availability.
• Follow up with suppliers daily until quotations and required information are received.
• Maintain professional relationships with suppliers to secure competitive offers and timely responses.
• Evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, technical compliance, stock availability, lead time, payment terms, and reliability.
• Maintain updated supplier contact details, product portfolios, and commercial records.
• Identify alternative suppliers to improve sourcing flexibility and product availability.
• Enquiry and Quotation Management
• Receive and review product enquiries from the sales team.
• Check the existing master price list and share available prices with the concerned team members.
• Obtain updated quotations from suitable suppliers whenever required.
• Follow up regularly to ensure quotations are received within the required timeframe.
• Review quotations for technical compliance, price, currency, validity, delivery lead time, minimum order quantity, payment terms, and other commercial conditions.
• Prepare quotation comparison sheets for supplier offers, purchase orders, and stock orders.
• Recommend the most suitable supplier based on technical compliance, price, availability, and commercial terms.
• Coordinate with sales and procurement to clarify product requirements and supplier offers.
• Maintain organized records of quotations and related documents for future reference.
• Price Master and Documentation Management
• Upload supplier quotations into the designated quotation folders.
• Update and maintain supplier prices in the master price list after verification.
• Maintain accurate records of product codes, descriptions, specifications, brands, suppliers, prices, and lead times.
• Track price revisions, quotation validity, and changes in supplier terms.
• Maintain organized databases of new products, alternative products, and supplier quotations.
• Ensure product catalogues, datasheets, drawings, certificates, and technical documents are readily accessible.
• Prevent duplication and discrepancies in product descriptions, pricing, and master data.
• Prepare regular updates on quotations received, price revisions, new products, and sourcing progress.
• Internal Team Coordination
• Coordinate with sales to understand customer enquiries, project requirements, and market opportunities.
• Work with procurement on supplier selection, purchase planning, and order processing.
• Liaise with manufacturing and production teams regarding product feasibility and technical requirements, where applicable.
• Coordinate with quality teams to verify product quality, certifications, and compliance.
• Provide timely technical and commercial information to support quotations and customer responses.
• Communicate pending enquiries, supplier delays, and technical issues to the relevant team members.
• Support new product introductions by coordinating product information, pricing, supplier details, and technical documentation.
• Product Portfolio and Stock Development
• Identify fast-moving and frequently requested products for potential stock planning.
• Analyze customer enquiries, historical demand, market trends, and supplier availability to identify stock opportunities.
• Recommend stock items based on demand, pricing, lead time, and business requirements.
• Identify products and alternative brands that can improve availability and create new sales opportunities.
• Support the preparation and updating of product catalogues, technical product lists, and internal databases.
• Monitor market developments and recommend improvements to the company's product portfolio.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Candidates with qualifications in Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or relevant technical fields may also be considered.
• Freshers with strong technical, analytical, and research skills are welcome to apply.
• Experience in product development, technical procurement, estimation, sourcing, or supplier coordination is an advantage.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Technical Knowledge: Ability to understand engineering drawings, product specifications, catalogues, and technical datasheets.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to evaluate technical and commercial offers and identify cost-effective solutions.
• Research Skills: Ability to identify new products, brands, manufacturers, suppliers, and market opportunities.
• Supplier Coordination: Strong communication and follow-up skills to maintain effective supplier relationships.
• Commercial Awareness: Understanding of pricing, quotation comparison, lead times, minimum order quantities, and supplier terms.
• Product Development: Ability to identify product opportunities and support product portfolio expansion.
• Documentation: Accuracy in maintaining price lists, quotations, technical documents, and supplier databases.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, email, and internet research. ERP knowledge is an advantage.
• Communication: Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Time Management: Ability to prioritize multiple enquiries and meet deadlines.
• Attention to Detail: Accuracy in product descriptions, specifications, prices, and quotation comparisons.
• Personal Attributes: Proactive, organized, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and willing to learn new products and technologies.

Job Details

• Location: Changanassery, Kerala, India
• Employment Type: Full-time, on-site
• Department: Product Development / Technical Procurement
• Reporting To: Management or the designated Department Head