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Category Expert - Project Manager

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Nestlé

Jan 24

  • Job
    Full-time
    Senior Level
  • Engineering
  • Johannesburg

AI generated summary

  • You need an engineering or project management degree, 5+ years in project management and cross-functional roles, 3+ years in food manufacturing, and expertise in regulatory affairs and I2L principles.
  • You will manage I&R projects end-to-end, lead cross-functional teams, oversee execution, track budgets, facilitate meetings, assess risks, and ensure alignment on project objectives and timelines.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Support I&R pipelines development for the Market
  • Facilitate idea generation sessions with commercial teams using market trends
  • Drives innovation days (External & Internal)
  • Develops product concepts (Development recipe's)
  • Runs industrial trials (Hands over to factories at commercial production)
  • Tracking and reporting of technical projects i.e SImplex, Plant support etc in the Portfolio Governance Sessions
  • Drive project team definition and reach out to Functional Line Managers to identify and secure resources along the flow
  • Build and maintain project budget all along the flow - Coordinate CAPEX request with Engineering Project Manager
  • Align project team behind common project objectives and ensure PDPs are updated accordingly
  • 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
  • Drive definition of Innovation profile and gap assessment in order to build the critical path
  • Lead Key Success Criteria definition with project team, challenge KSC with an unbiased view to assure speed and get validation from Decider(s)
  • Drive timely preparation of the Business Opportunity, Business Case and Business Plan along the flow
  • Drive Opportunity and Risk Management and escalating critical issues to Decider(s)
  • Identify change requests, evaluate impact and get them approved or rejected - Document scope change accordingly
  • 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
  • Provide transparency, documentation and communication of project status and risk to cross functional team members, Project Management Lead and Deciders
  • Ensure the overall data entry, its regular updates & completion in the I2L System
  • Lead Stakeholders management across functions: identify stakeholders, distribute responsibilities among project team and ensure proper communication
  • Capture and share lessons learnt (category knowledge)
  • Leverage own functional expertise and network to steer project team towards best solution definition and execution. In particular, use own expertise to:
  • Question/challenge proposed activities and solutions
  • Contribute to the Business Opportunity, Business Case and Business Plan
  • 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:
  • Managing projects and their cross-functional teams through the established processes
  • Ensuring proper and consistent use of the I2L process and principles, as well as Project management practices mapped in Nimbus
  • Capturing learning and sharing with I2L Functional Lead
  • Provides prioritization on I2L projects to shared resources

FAQs

What is the job title for this position?

The job title is Category Technical Expert - Project Manager.

Where is the job located?

The job is located in Bryanston, South Africa.

What qualifications are required for this position?

A degree in Engineering or Project Management is required, with Innovation as an advantage.

How much experience is needed for this role?

A minimum of 5 years of experience in Project Management & Innovation is required.

What are the primary responsibilities of this position?

The primary responsibilities include managing Innovation & Renovation projects End-to-End, orchestrating cross-functional teams, and ensuring projects meet the defined Key Success Criteria.

What kind of project management experience is expected?

Candidates should have at least 5 years of project management experience, with a minimum of 3 years in Factory/Manufacturing experience essential in the Food Industry.

Is prior experience in the Food & Beverage industry necessary?

Yes, a strong business and technical understanding acquired in the Food & Beverage area is necessary.

What project management tools and practices are preferred?

Proficiency in MS Projects and familiarity with I2L project management practices is preferred.

Will there be opportunities for professional development?

Yes, the company supports professional development, including project management competencies obtained through internal or external certification.

What kind of team environment can an employee expect?

Employees can expect a diverse, friendly, supportive, and collaborative environment that fosters innovation and empowers teams.

Is knowledge of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance important for this role?

Yes, a basic understanding of Regulatory Affairs, Intellectual Property, Contracting/Legal, compliance, and Finance is important.

Will the candidate need to facilitate meetings?

Yes, the candidate will need to coordinate and facilitate various project meetings, including kick-off meetings and risk assessments.

What skills are important for stakeholder management?

Skills in identifying stakeholders, distributing responsibilities, and ensuring effective communication are important for stakeholder management in this role.

Unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come.

Retail & Consumer Goods
Industry
1-10
Employees

Mission & Purpose

As the world’s largest food and beverage company we are driven by a simple aim: unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. To deliver on this, we serve with passion, with a spirit of excellence, offering products and services for all stages of life, every moment of the day, helping people care for themselves and their families. Our culture is based on our values rooted in respect: respect for ourselves, respect for others, respect for diversity and respect for the future. We can trace our origin back to 1866, when the first European condensed milk factory was opened in Cham, Switzerland, by the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company. One year later, Henri Nestlé, a trained pharmacist, launched one of the world’s first prepared infant cereals ‘Farine lactée’ in Vevey, Switzerland. Today, we employ around 273,000 people and have factories or operations in almost every country in the world. With our headquarters still based in the Swiss town of Vevey, we had sales of CHF 84.3 billion in 2020. Our portfolio covers almost every food and beverage category –offering products and services for all stages of life, every moment of the day, helping people care for themselves and their families. House rules: https://nes.tl/HouseRules

Culture & Values

  • Respect for ourselves

    Respect starts with self-respect. Being true to ourselves, while acting with integrity, fairness and authenticity.

  • Respect for others

    Respecting others is about meeting our promises. It’s about quality in our products, our brands and everything we do.

  • Respect for diversity

    Respect for other ways of thinking, other cultures and all aspects of society requires inclusiveness and openness in all our interactions.

  • Respect for the future

    Respect for the future of our planet and future generations compels us to act with responsibility and courage, even if it’s difficult.

Benefits

  • Competitive remuneration

    You’ll be recognized for your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits package. And you may benefit from savings plans, insurances, loans, and discounted or free Nestlé products. You could even grab a bargain on retail products, services and activities.

  • Location-specific opportunities

    Our working environments vary greatly, so depending on your job and your location, you could benefit from flexible working opportunities, volunteering programs, the ability to bring a pet to work, and much more.

  • International mobility

    We offer opportunities to develop your career in different countries around the world. Global mobility plays an important part in developing Nestlé’s talent and our brands.

  • Health and wellbeing at work

    Our employee health programs will help you develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, with health checks, health care, onsite cafeterias and fitness centres, sport and other activities.

  • Employee support

    More than ever, it is important that you are emotionally supported while at work and at home to be resilient and feel good as you carry out your everyday activities. We provide access to confidential counsellors to help when the unexpected happens or you are feeling overwhelmed.

  • Parental leave

    With a minimum of 18 weeks paid parental leave for the primary caregiver, plus the opportunity to take further leave, your new family life can get off to a great start. Your work location may provide additional benefits and resources such as dedicated feeding rooms or creches.