Project Manager Digital and Specification Systems

About the client

We are a global food company with 6 business units operating in 95 markets. We have the mind-set of a start-up. This makes us fast, agile, entrepreneurial, cost conscious and accountable for our products – from seed to serving at the breakfast, lunch or dinner table.
We take quality seriously and around the world we taste products every 30 seconds. We take our consumers seriously and more than 150 people will taste test each of our new innovations before they hit the shelves.

The role
The Project Lead on R&D Digital & Specification will be a key role in the intended transition to a standalone organisation. This role will lead the setup of a standalone digital and specification system ensuring a smooth transition of the systems.

Core responsibilities are driving the digitalisation of R&D. The management of R&D IT interfaces to the rest of the company as well as external customers. Responsible for the management of all R&D owned product specifications, experimental data and project information, and the expertise guidance on ingredient material as well as leading the carve-out of all IT systems for a stand-alone organization.

The role is internally a key partner for the R&D teams, the supply chain, in particular procurement, planning and quality and product compliance in regulatory affairs.

The person will ensure the On-Time-in-Full delivery of R&D owned IT systems into the stand-alone organization as well as optimal development, usage and maintenance of all relevant, R&D owned IT and specification systems.

Key Responsibilities

Set up independent digital and specification systems for the intended standalone organisation. Drive the global digital agenda and direct the team to deliver the assigned tasks (f.e. PLM, PML, MET principle, Product Information Tool, experimental data and information, etc.). Ensure smooth and effective co-operation with the R&D teams, TPL’s as well as BU R&D organisations (TM), MET leaders, PML managers, RA, Supply Chain colleagues and external suppliers.
Provide specifications and technical information support and training to R&D – f.e. initiate and organizes support and train colleagues in R&D on the usage of digital developments and specification tools and applications.
Develop and implement Best Practices in specification, digital and data processes and Systems. Governance in the area of data generation, data ownership, data application and data retirement.
Keep up-to-date with guidelines, food law and OPL in the relevant area of expertise.

Skills and experience

A strong team leader with experience in change and project management. Pro-active, good team leader. Structured and systematic thinker. Ability to work under difficulty/high challenges and pressures. Ability to do stakeholder management at all levels.

Experience with (or very solid understanding of) the relation between specification and material master data management. Preferably technical knowledge of specification and ECC systems. Experience with (specification) data governance within R&D as well as across the functions in BCS. Solid understanding of the BCS innovation processes, R&D business processes and the data requirements of neighbouring functions to R&D. Experience with data standards and their maintenance. Experience with data quality measurement and KPI management.

Knowledge on specification systems (Interspec, SAP PLM), Ingredients and formulation experience in R&D and understanding of different BCS technologies which require specific set of knowledge in ingredients, formulations and process. Basic appreciation of data analytics, modelling and simulation.