Royal Canin has a strong Innovation agenda to deliver Health through Nutrition for Cats & Dogs.The Global Project Manager (GPM) is responsible to manage Innovation projects successfully from New Project Request to Post Launch Review with the ambition to deliver them On Time and In Full. She/He will lead a cross-functional team (R&D, Marketing, Supply, Commercial, Regulatory, Graphic Chain, Pack Design, Q&FS) through the Innovation stages & gates process. The Global Project Manager will play a critical role in efficient planification, robust

Risk Management, Engaged Project Teams and will help to establish a culture of discipline and excellence in execution. The job holder will manage his/her own portfolio of Innovation projects in a defined framework (process, ways of

working, tools) to ensure the development of innovation pipeline. He/she will manage max. 4 projects in parallel with low to medium complexity. He/She may work in duo with a Senior Global Project Manager if needed.

What are we looking for?

• Have Project Management Essential capabilities and already managed projects
• Master's degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills - clear and concise delivery.
• Strong ability to think and operate cross-functionally in a multi-cultural environment.
• Demonstrate expertise to manage several projects in parallel
• Ability to work in a remote setting, and a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• High sense of of accountability.
• Fluency in English is required
• Ability to build strong relationships and interact with key stakeholders at all levels.
• Project Management Essential Capabilities (Planification, Risk Management).
• Ability to engage and lead cross-functional teams
• Ability to step back and successfully handles issues
• Clear and precise communication with ability to adapt to different type of stakeholders

What will be your key responsibilities?

Planning / Risk Management and control

• Build a feasible and efficient project timeline co-created with Project Team members.
• Use Planification tool to build project timeline and ensure the data accuracy any time
• Ensure a proper follow-up with the Project Team to make sure deliverables are delivered on time.
• The GPM will ensure a robust Risk Management which is also critical for a successful project delivery.

Project governance

• Be the guardian of stages & gates validation by the Governance to ensure the Innovation projects are progressing in adhesion to the Innovation process.
• The GPM will ensure to bring visibility of project status, escalate risks & issues, make escalations at the right time and by the right stakeholders for efficient decision making.

Team effectiveness

• Maintain a collaborative, motivated, and effective Project team by using motivation drivers, identifying & escalating any challenges when needed and adapting WoW

Stakeholder Management

• Ensures that connections are made at the right level both at Project Team level and larger in Mars/RC organization.
• Keeps stakeholders apprised of significant wins, updates, or initiatives that impact their work or business.

Communication

• Shape timely relevant project communications including clear recommendations to the different forums/SOP+ steps.
• Set up a productive meeting structure, pre-align with key stakeholders on escalations and topics to be discussed before key meetings, and conduct regular reviews to ensure that meetings deliver the right outcomes.
• Document meeting outcomes and distributes outcomes and action items - use existing project management tools to log action items for project team. -
• Ensure decisions that need to be made are presented in a way that streamlines the deliberation process.
• Escalate issues that cannot be resolved within the team and require a higher level of discussion.

Root cause analysis and problem solving

• Drive efficient root causes analysis & problem solving with the relevant stakeholders with the objectives to bring clear options/solutions as main outcomes.
• Conducts stage gate learnings sessions and post project reviews to capitalize on learnings for future projects.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

#TBDDT