BAT Africa Job for Area NPI Portfolio Manager

Job number 4667BR
Job title Area NPI Portfolio Manager
Location/City Stellenbosch
Appointment type Permanent
Job purpose and key deliverables The Area NPI Portfolio Manager roles exists to manage the geographical focus of NPI Portfolio activities in
EEMEA. This role is accountable for “how” the Area NPI Cycle Plans enable the delivery of all NPI activity in the
allocated Areas. The role is responsible for the allocated Area NPI Cycle Plans and all related activity to ensure adherence to
NPI governance and execution / prioritization criteria to ensure optimized project delivery and direct line management of Area NPI Delivery resources.
Key Deliverables

Business
Accumulation, maintenance, analysis and validation of Area NPI Portfolio information and data for planning and
decision making at Area Portfolio level through business forums, e.g. NPI Reviews, Area PDT’s and Area S&OP’s.
Pro-active Portfolio Management and coordination of all NPI initiatives across the Area/Markets being serviced via the common platforms, processes and systems established (e.g. NEXUS), in close cooperation with Commercial/Functional Owners (Custodians), in order to deliver such initiatives to time, cost and quality, with a focus on the following:
Planning, prioritization and alignment of all such initiatives with regional/local business operational plans.
Develop and implement the required plan for delivery of the Area NPI Portfolio of projects.
Prioritize the projects for delivery as appropriate.
Ensure the NPI projects are executed in accordance with the mandated NPI process and objectives are achieved in the most cost effective & efficient way practicable and in compliance with all relevant Group standards (marketing,product and operations).
Ensure the tracking and reporting for NPI projects is communicated as appropriate to required stakeholders and is accurate and up to date.
Ensure that the appropriate area project resources are available and allocated for delivery of the Area NPI project portfolio.
Where required, negotiate with functional managers for the acquisition of required team members from
within BAT.
Participate and chair the appropriate cross-functional meetings and governance forums for the Area NPI portfolio.
Management
Maintain a comprehensive understanding of future Global, Regional and Area NPI plans and pipelines, producing timely and accurate portfolio / project summaries and information to enable well informed business decisions.
Manage direct reports through BAT HR standards, providing coaching and support to develop their skills and competencies.
Leadership
Ensure effective monitoring, decision making and governance of NPI Portfolios across the Areas / Markets beingserviced, with a focus on the following:
Champion the BAT NPI Process and associated system across functions, driving best-practice, ensuring full audit compliance.
Facilitate NPI governance understanding in the wider business.
Provide guidance on NPI WoW and Business acumen within the wider NPI team.
Drive and support collaboration within and across teams, functions and end-markets.
Identifying risks & issues emerging from the environment in which the business operates and the environment in
which the Portfolios are executed.
Escalation of such risks & issues to the appropriate governance forums, highlighting recommendations for
improvement and/or resolution.
Represent the Regional NPI Function in Global, Regional, Area and End-Market meetings and governance forums.
Relationship

Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to develop aligned NPI Portfolio plans, ensure effective prioritization, resolve Portfolio level issues and secure necessary support to ensure effective portfolio / project delivery.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Global / Regional / End Market Functional Teams. (Commercial & Operations – All Functional Experts involved in NPI)
Support project custodians in defining project criteria, ensuring project briefs are delivered to the required quality level.
Innovation
Drive for continual improvement of the NPI systems, processes and platforms established to enable delivery of NPI initiatives, thereby optimizing the time-to-market execution of such initiatives, with a focus on the following:
Identify system improvement opportunities.
Identify process improvement opportunities in the responsible areas via engagement with Commercial and
Operations Functional Experts.
Identify opportunities for improvement of NPI portfolio management activities.
Ensure that improvement plans, ownership, implementation and change plans are created, shared and agreed withrelevant stakeholders.
Ensure that the appropriate governance forums have ratified and approved the change initiatives.
Delivering the approved changes into the business.
Essential requirements

Grade 12 certificate
Relevant Degree
2-5 Years Relevant working experience
Desirable requirements

Extensive BAT business knowledge with particular focus on the Marketing, Product and Operations functions.
Extensive understanding of supply chain principles, core processes and systems.
Project/programme delivery experience ideally using Prince2 and MSP or similar.
Proven ability to successfully manage projects through strong project management skills and excellent knowledge of Prince 2 (or similar) principles and disciplines.
Ability to operate as a functional and process authority supported by a sound knowledge base of Operations
(including tobacco processing technology and machinery, product and packaging development, product quality, supplychain techniques and processes) and Marketing (including the end-to-end NPI process, marketing principles, cycle plan
management, central brand management and governance).
• Ability to absorb complex and diverse issues within & outside of own. Solid business acumen.
• Ability to shape and drive initiatives to a conclusion.
• Ability to think and act strategically.
• Strong leadership skills and a track record of leading teams to success in challenging environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with employees at all levels, and an strong ability to influence
Working at BAT British American Tobacco (www.bat.com) is a market leading, global organisation with a long, established history and a bright and dynamic future. Thanks to our people we have continued to deliver growth and exceed expectations in an increasingly complex and challenging marketplace.
Our aim is to become the leading tobacco company in each of our markets by providing excellent products with confidence and responsibility expected of global consumer brands.
If you have the talent and motivation to help us succeed you’ll find we are equally committed to helping you reach your full potential too
Employment Equity Statement

All applicants with South African citizenship will be considered, with the understanding that preference will be given to the designated groups in accordance with the Company’s Employment Equity Policy and – Plan.
Internal candidates who meet the criteria will be considered as first priority.
Attention will also be focused on people with disabilities
Feedback will not be provided to individuals who have not been invited to interview. Appointment approval details
Employing company British American Tobacco South Africa
Removal Date 28-Jul-2014
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