Product Leader: Product Implementation And Lifecycle Management

REQUIREMENTSAffirmative Action South African Citizen, currently residing in Gqeberha/ Kariega or willing to relocateNational Diploma in Engineering, Marketing or Finance disciplineA formal qualification in Project ManagementA minimum of 3 years of Project Management experience from product definition to end-of-productESSENTIAL SKILLSThe ability to prepare professional, comprehensive presentations for decision-making at the Board levelKnowledge and understanding of the automotive industryUnderstanding of the product emergence process (PEP) and change management processesHigh level of attention to detail and project management skillsSound understanding of business processesStrong leadership qualities and the ability to lead and motivate cross-divisional teams under pressureThe ability to analyse and solve complex problemsGood interpersonal skills (negotiation and communication)Advanced MS Office (MS Excel/ MS PowerPoint/ MS Word) Excellent communication and presentation skills to multi-national groupsADDED ADVANTAGEA formal qualification in Project ManagementMarketing experienceGerman and Portuguese language proficiencyRESPONSIBILITIESPlan, lead and organise local cross-divisional meetings to ensure successful project implementationReview open tasks and deadlines using timing plans to achieve a successful start of production (SOP)Motivate and encourage team members by providing the necessary support, guidance and platform where open communication is encouraged to ensure products meet customer requirements while being economically viableRepresent the group at local and international product and platform team meetings to maintain the information flowConsolidate divisional input to be submitted for Aeko's (investment, timing), and coordinate local Aeko meetings in preparation for Group forums to represent the company at international Aeko (Change Point) meetings thus ensuring changes are financially feasible and divisional inputs are plausibleRepresent the group in model year meetings ensuring both the HUT and Platform changes in Brazil and Skoda respectively are implemented for the local product where necessary to ensure vehicle buildabilityRepresent the department in all complexity and variant reduction forumsInterfacing with the Fachgruppen (Specialist Group) team leaders by setting up regular feedback sessions to ensure part readiness for a successful SOPPrepare business cases with cross-divisional input for local and international forums by ensuring all divisions timeously provided their cost impact for finance to create a business caseDevelop strategy recommendation presentations for the company's production by liaising with international project leader counterparts ensuring that the best-suited product is developed and builtEvaluate the cross-divisional impact of decisions to mitigate risks for the organizationManage projects within approved budgets, resources and timelines to get a financially viable product that meets market requirements