Development Project Manager - GBfoods Africa

At GBfoods we offer culinary solutions in several countries of Europe and Africa with prestigious leading local brands, including Jumbo, Gallina Blanca, Erasco, Gino, Liebig, Star, Bama, D&L, Grand'Italia and Blå Band, among others.

Our Purpose “Celebrating local flavours” is to empower and take care of each of the local communities we belong to and to bring out their authentic flavours. Some of our local brands have been in consumers' kitchens for over a century and have positioned themselves as authentically loved brands, as well as deeply rooted parts of the local culture.

Today, with a turnover of around 1,2 billion euros and a team of around 3,000 people, we are the preferred choice of millions of consumers.

We are in search of a Development Project Manager to join our Africa Technical Team to lead the execution and control of the development of innovation and renovation product prototypes, in accordance with the project brief and needs, to contribute to the achievement of the most appropriate technical, economic and legal requirements, as well as managing the industrial upscaling to deliver innovation growth to the business.

Role & Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be responsible for managing of Technical (R&D) related Projects in combination with the implementation of new recipes and technologies on pilot and industrial scale. Being responsible for setting up and tracking of project timings and the appropriate reporting to all stakeholders. Leading interdisciplinary and international project teams. Managing all projects related tasks in cooperation with Business Units as well as GB Foods key operations functions of Procurement and Quality and to supports all other departments to enable the achievement of the defined business goals.

Main responsibilities will be:

• Lead project teams from brief until the plant implementation of the product.
  • Development itself: Define and declare formulations.
  • Pilot plant /plant trials
  • Shelf-life decisions
  • Following of timings / COG’s
  • Stakeholders/team coordination
• Collaborate with Marketing, Factory teams, Purchasing, Co-manufacturers and other technical functions
• Effectively manage multiple projects and collaborative partnership
• Desire to challenge assumptions and identify new opportunities
• Apply learnings in an effective way
• Apply critical thinking
• Follow prescribed procedures and company policies and values
• Attend the day-to-day problems concerning factories/consumer
• Category product maintenance

What can you expect from us?

You will contribute to the success of our fast-growing and sustainable multinational organization which is committed to investing in Africa; while enjoying a differential employee experience.

What can we expect from you?

We expect that you bring aboard your authentic personality and experience in effectively delivering on culinary product development projects.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Food Science, Food Process or Agricultural Engineering
• 5+ years’ experience in project management of product development and efficiency projects preferably in dry convenience foods or dry ingredients sector
• Experience in managing complex, multi-site and or multi-company projects
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory and QA/QC requirements
• Availability to travel up to 20% internationally
• PC skills: Knowledge in SAP and standard MS Office and project management software.
• Languages: Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish is required; knowledge of other European languages is a plus.
• Demonstrates understanding of how to achieve results under tight timelines, plans ahead, monitors results and adapts plans, solutions and results-oriented
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Ability to work independently, yet collaboratively, in cross-functional project teams and to contribute to multiple projects
• Ability to build excellent relationships with internal stakeholders within different departments such as Marketing, Operations, QA, and Procurement team and external collaborators as required, team-player
• Outstanding written and verbal communication and presentation skills
• Analytical thinking - Performs complex data analysis with impact on the company, makes evidence-based judgments that guide organizational decisions
• Ability to work in office environment as well as in pilot plants and production.