General Manager - Product Development

SUMMARY:
Calling all General Managers with Product Development experience

POSITION INFO:

My client, a leading and well known company based in Somerset West in the Western Cape requires a competent and experienced General Manager in their Manufacturing site.

This role is reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The General Manager: Product Development (PD) is responsible to lead and strategically manage the technical, scientific and engineering development resources of the company to ensure the effective execution of the existing and future business plans of the Company. To strategically plan, develop and manage the required technologies to ensure the continued competitive advantage of the Company. To assume final responsibility for technical execution in a matrix organisation of development programmes. To provide technical support for marketing activities and during series production. The incumbent should have extensive knowledge in the renewable energy and defence industry (Green H2 and Solar).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To lead and manage the technical resources (technology, know-how) and Product Development personnel to support and execute the business plans of the organisation.

Decide on development strategies to ensure cost effective quality products are developed
To strategically focus and align the Product Development function and activities with the Business Strategy of the company
Support the company strategy with new developments.
Identify new technology and product trends.
Cooperate with shareholders and their product and technology portfolio.
Provide technical support to marketing for contract and joint venture negotiations.
Provide technical support to Quality and Manufacturing where required.
Manage strategic allocation of technical personnel between projects.
Plan, recruit, develop and empower highly skilled human capital
Performance management, succession planning etc.
Develop budget, motivate and manage the operational budget of the PD department.
Structure and develop PD resources, processes and technology to ensure the present and future business plans of the organisation can be executed.
Communication of decisions and information within the product development group.
Monitor and guide the Product Development group to ensure that statutory requirements (Explosives Act, OSHACT, etc.) and company standards (ISO 9000, etc.) are adhered to.
Identify future technology areas for investment to ensure future products will remain competitive in terms of performance.
Identify external organisations for cooperation in development or technology programs.
Motivate to internal and external stakeholders for required funding to ensure research, development and procurement of critical future technologies.
Create and maintain a product innovation process to keep up with the changing business requirements

POST REQUIREMENTS:

• B Eng. /BSc in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering.
• Formal Management Training (e. g MBA) would be advantageous.
• At least 10 years’ management experience in high-volume manufacturing (preferably in the chemical processes industry), with 5 years in a Senior Management role.
• Extensive knowledge in the defence industry and renewable energy.
• Thorough understanding and extensive experience in military explosives and ammunition products (risks, uses, safety, application, etc.)
• Broad based general technical knowledge of various products (propellants, ammunition, modular charges, rocket motors, warheads, etc.), technologies and processes used to design, develop and support new products.
• Thorough understanding of the international standard product development processes in the defence industry and how to mitigate and manage risks during development.
• Thorough understanding of principles involved in the execution of transfer of technology contracts.
• Good general management skills to manage a geographically dispersed, multi-disciplinary, highly skilled workforce.
• Vast exposure and experience in general management protocols and processes in a large corporate environment eg. Human Resources, Finance, Quality, Supply Chain, etc.
• Ability to develop technical strategies to support the company''''s marketing and manufacturing goals.
• Good formal and informal, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to operate locally & internationally in a culturally diverse environment.
• A thorough understanding of the legal framework of the industry in terms of safety, export regulations, intellectual property etc
• Only EE/AA candidates will be considered

NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.