Assistant Innovation Planning & Impex Manager

Assistant Innovation Planning & Impex Manager

Job Title: Assistant Innovation Planning & Impex Manager
Location: Malaysia

Job Description:
The main objective of the role is to lead the Innovation planning and Import & Export requirements for the Ice Cream MYSG new products. The Assistant Innovation Planning Manager serves as the critical interface between Supply Chain (MSO & SU), Category, Brand and Development groups. The role ensures that conceptual innovation develops in accordance with the business strategic objectives and coordinates with factory Quality, Country Regulatory and External Affairs related to Regulatory and Halal requirements prior to start of new products importation to MYSG.

Who You Are & What You'll Do:

• Manages the innovation project plans from Feasibility stage to Market Implementation. This is achieved through helping to scope the project, defining activities and timings required to ensure capability is in place, and then following up on these timings throughout the project.
• Manages the overall project networks, via MS project, coordinates inputs from all functions and holds individuals accountable for the delivery of their activities to ensure the project execution remains on time.
• Ensures that the Supply Chain has the necessary capacities and capabilities to produce the innovations for all assigned sourcing sites.
• Manages communication with all key project stakeholders (local & regional).
• Coordinates required inputs to the business case for the innovation projects in terms of capital expenditure and supply chain cost drivers via close collaboration with the Procurement, Planning and Engineering teams.
• Owns and maintains the overall project networks for new variants and operational projects, as required to ensure "on time in full" delivery; by working closely with R&D, Marketing, Finance, Procurement, Engineering, Quality and factories.
• Co-leads the risk assessments with the Technical Teams and makes sure action plans are embedded in the project timelines.
• Supports complexity reduction activities and sourcing analysis for the innovation projects, by working closely with Strategic Planning and Finance Teams.
• Coordinates with Factory Quality, R&D, Country Regulatory and Country External Affairs all document requirements related to Regulatory and Halal certifications and ensures data are correct, compliant and complete upon submission accountable functions to MY authorities.

Key Stakeholders:
Internal:

• Regional BU Teams (Supply Chain, Marketing, R&D, Engineering)
• Customer Strategy and Planning Team
• Customer Development Operations team
• Country Marketing
• Country R&D
• Procurement
• Supply Chain & Finance business partners
• Sourcing Units
• Country Regulatory & External Affairs

External:

• Distributor partners
• Modern Trade (MT) customers (Local MT, Petromart, Convenient)
• Collaborative Manufacturers (CM)

Essential Experience/Skills/Knowledge Needed:

• Business experience in supply chain planning, preferably within the FMCG industry.
• Knowledgeable in the S&OP process.
• Knowledge in SAP system or similar Supply Chain software/system.
• Strong business-partnering and proven track record is a must.
• Proven people management capabilities.
• Cross-functional collaboration outside Supply Chain Teams.

Desirable Experience/Skill/Knowledge:

• Demand forecasting and Supply Planning.
• Innovation / New Product Development Project Management.
• Inventory Optimization.
• Process improvement experience.

What You'll Need To Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree (Business, Supply chain, R&D, Engineering preferred).
• 5-7 years' experience in Supply Chain (Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering or Logistics) or in R&D with experience on new product development.
• Project management skills (working knowledge on MS Project, MS Office).
• Basic appreciation level of how manufacturing works.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.