Category Expert - Project Manager

Job Title: Category Technical Expert- Project Manager

Location: South Africa - Bryanston
Qualification: Degree in Engineering, Project Management with Innovation as an advantage

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in Project Management & Innovation.

Position Summary

Responsible for the End-to-End management of Innovation & Renovation (I&R) projects of simple, medium to high complexity: Plan and lead I&R projects End-to-End and orchestrate a cross-functional and multidisciplinary team to achieve the project defined Key Success Criteria and deliver against the business case. Ensure that the invested resources bring the expected return on investment with a flawless execution. Promote the I2L Mindset.

A day in the life of a Category Technical Expert- Project Manager:

Execute as per the I2L flow: Apply project management tools and skills to ensure the on-scope, on-time and on-quality launch and flawless execution of I&R projects of simple, medium to high complexity from Identify (or later entry stage) to end of delivery stage.

Activities include:

1. Support I&R pipelines development for the Market
2. Facilitate idea generation sessions with commercial teams using market trends
3. Drive innovation days (External & Internal)
4. Develop product concepts (Development recipe's)
5. Run industrial trials (Hands over to factories at commercial production)
6. Track and report technical projects i.e SImplex, Plant support etc in the Portfolio Governance Sessions
7. Drive project team definition and reach out to Functional Line Managers to identify and secure resources along the flow
8. Build and maintain project budget all along the flow - Coordinate CAPEX request with Engineering Project Manager
9. Align project team behind common project objectives and ensure PDPs are updated accordingly
10. Orchestrate all functions and markets involved in the project to coordinate timelines, track end-to-end activities and milestones and ensure project is progressing as planned
11. Drive definition of Innovation profile and gap assessment in order to build the critical path
12. Lead Key Success Criteria definition with project team, challenge KSC with an unbiased view to assure speed and get validation from Decider(s)
13. Drive timely preparation of the Business Opportunity, Business Case and Business Plan along the flow
14. Drive Opportunity and Risk Management and escalate critical issues to Decider(s)
15. Identify change requests, evaluate impact and get them approved or rejected - Document scope change accordingly
16. Coordinate and facilitate project meetings including kick-off meeting, kick-start meetings, check-in meetings, regular project meetings, risk assessments, post launch reviews and additional meetings or workshops as required
17. Provide transparency, documentation and communication of project status and risk to cross functional team members, Project Management Lead and Deciders
18. Ensure the overall data entry, its regular updates & completion in the I2L System
19. Lead Stakeholders management across functions: identify stakeholders, distribute responsibilities among project team and ensure proper communication
20. Capture and share lessons learnt (category knowledge)
21. Leverage own functional expertise and network to steer project team towards best solution definition and execution.

Leverage basic and I2L Project Management practices:

Responsible for the disciplined execution of Nestlé’s I&R projects following the I2L process and principles. This includes:

1. Managing projects and their cross-functional teams through the established processes
2. Ensuring proper and consistent use of the I2L process and principles, as well as Project management practices mapped in Nimbus
3. Capturing learning and sharing with I2L Functional Lead
4. Provides prioritization on I2L projects to shared resources

What will make you successful?

1. Degree in Engineering, Project Management with Innovation as an advantage
2. Minimum 5 years of cross-functional experience gained through participation in I&R projects, or through mission/assignment in various organizations
3. Min 5 years project management experience
4. Min 3 years Factory/Manufacturing experience is essential in a Food Industry
5. MS Projects
6. Business and Technical understanding acquired in the Food & Beverage area
7. Innovation content knowledge in one functional area (e.g. Mktg, R&D, Manufacturing)
8. Understanding of Regulatory Affairs, Intellectual Property, Contracting/Legal, compliance and Finance
9. Project Management competencies obtained through internal (Nestle) or external certification (e.g. PMI/PMP)
10. Deep knowledge of I2L principles and ways of working
11. Understanding of NCE (Goal alignment, Focused Improvement)

At Nestlé, we want to help shape a better and healthier world, inspire people to live healthier lives and deliver impact at a scale and pace that makes a difference. We do this by fostering a diverse, friendly, supportive, and collaborative environment, that creates positive disruption, embraces innovation, and empowers people and teams to win. We aim to hire friendly, respectful, inspiring people who care about the people’s lives that we touch every single day.