Exceptional opportunity for a Project Manager with a key client and global manufacturing FMCG organisation, within the area.

The role is being presented initially on a fixed term contract basis for 12 months and thereafter likely to continue on a yearly rolling contract basis.

In addition, there is an attractive 50:50 split, working from home and within the office.

20 - 30 hours per week to suit.

Skills & knowledge we are seeking in an individual:

Our client is fairly broad in term of the ideal background, so pharma, cosmetics, food or a related FMCG sector, but construction and IT for example, are not considered suitable for this one.

We are searching for someone fairly dynamic, who is self-motivated with proven experience in innovation and development projects, particularly within the FMCG sector to achieve successful project outcomes.

•The ability to manage complex cross functional projects.


•Experience in managing and mitigating risk.

External certification, ie. IPMA, APM, PMI, Prince2 preferable and experience with MS Project considered essential.

Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.

A bias for Action with a professional and positive approach and a willingness to go that extra mile when required.

The ability to cope with pressure and able to demonstrate assertiveness and adaptability.

The Position:

To achieve the client objectives for organic growth it is important that the NPD is effectively and efficiently delivered on time, in full and on cost. The role involves the professional project management of new product launches and product changes for a portfolio of projects determined via a Stage Gate process. Leading cross functional teams in Europe and other international organisations, you will be responsible for overseeing multiple projects from initial feasibility through to launch implementation. This role will also include management of R&D and Supply Chain projects across our European organisation.

What will the Project Manager be responsible for?

You have responsibility for operational task management of the project teams that you manage but no direct line management responsibility. To be successful you need to manage the team effectively including demonstrating good levels of communication with team members & effective team building and human interrelationships.

Areas of responsibilities:

Overall responsibility for driving project "on time, in full and on cost" delivery. Overall project leadership for a portfolio of projects across several brands, working to a Stage Gate process.

Taking responsibility of the project following Stage gate charter approval or for Discovery projects following handover, by the Innovation team, into industrial feasibility.

Facilitate the definition of project goals, objectives, scope, milestones and deliverables.

Ensuring full feasibility analyses (technical and business assessment) are conducted to include all aspects of the project (not just cost).

Define project tasks and resource requirements with the project team and resource management.

Develop the full scale schedule and the subsequent management of the project against that schedule.

Ensure project risks are assessed, managed and mitigated as part of the project plan. Review risks and changes in risk status as part of routine progress reporting.

Project progress reporting both in written reports and presentations at all levels within the organisation - both in Europe and internationally.

Change management & change control including the escalation of change issues that impact on the project fundamentals of time, cost, quality and scope.

Coordinate creation of Master Data to ensure that new products are set-up, live and costed on the SAP system on time. For in-house produced products, responsibility for seeing that Bills of Material are created, approved and loaded in a timely manner.

Manage smooth transition from project to on-going production; release meetings, including Quality department, to be held for all NPD projects.

Project evaluation, assessment and communication of results


Special relationships

The Project Manager will work closely withcolleagues in the European R&D team, which comprises the Innovation team, Product and Packaging Development teams and the Project Management Office.

You will also work closely with UK & French Supply chain, Marketing, Sales both Domestic and Export, Purchasing and IT teams to implement new product launches effectively.

This includes ensuring that implications of the launch are acted upon (e.g. product discontinuations / material write-offs, shared component reduced volume viability).

Interaction with International colleagues to provide information and advice on potential new projects, including input into regular global conference calls.

Collaboration with US PMO team to share experiences and learning to build and implement global processes.

Languages/other:

English with fluent Frenchan advantage

Driving licence

An element of travel in UK and overseas required.

If you have the sector and project management skills we are seeking in order to meet the demands of this role, then we would very much like to hear from you.

Recruitment Solutions (Folkestone) Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and as an employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job, you accept the Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found on our website.