The main role will be responsible to develop and maintain a pipeline of projects tailored to the customer’s requirements. Projects can range from the development of small variants of current products to major product developments which require product & process development, development of suitable quality control plans, infrastructure changes, machine installations, personnel changes and training, changes and additions to the supply chain.
Responsible and Engagement
- Manage allocated projects (internal and external) from concept to commercialization including:
- Preparing proposal submissions, including confirmation of requirements, identification of technical trials required and discussions across departments to confirm lead times, costs etc.
- Manage quality (both project and product) to meet and exceed customer expectations.
- Management and running of technical trials within the agreed scope of work to ensure agreed objectives are met.
- Lead and coordinate product design, create work orders through the sample system, as required.
- Support the financial costing of development work, including preparing any necessary Capex documentation for equipment purchases.
- Encourage the identification of risks and issues and ensure that these are assessed and appropriately managed, communicated to stakeholders and contingency plans developed.
- Provide up to date and timely progress and technical reports (both written and verbal), as agreed. Participate fully as part of the customer's project team where required.
- Manage project administration, including maintaining project information in line with agreements and sample library information.
- Conduct post project reviews.
- Provision of technical training and technical support to Sales, Production, Finance and others function as appropriate.
- Presentation of technical papers at industry forums to ensure the Company remains 'top of mind'.
- Strict adherence to all Health & Safety, Environmental, Compliance and Information Security requirements
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- A recognized /relevant qualification in an technical discipline (e.g. BSc/BEng in Mechanical/Electrical/Process Engineering, Materials, Textiles etc.) would be essential.
- A secondary degree (e.g. PhD, MSc, MEng, MBA) would be preferable.
- Minimum 8 -10 years’ experience of working in a new product development or technical environment especially within the tobacco industry.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels in an international environment
- Strong stakeholder management capabilities, and ability to influence across functions.
- Must be an innovative and creative thinker, good technical background and ability to take on and develop new ideas.
- Experience managing multiple projects in parallel with the lean manufacturing techniques e.g. Six Sigma would be a benefit
