Group Research & Development (R&D) Executive

SUMMARY:
“Open-to-All” Equal Opportunity for a Group Research & Development (R&D) Executive, Manufacturing Industry, Durban, KZN (R 1,4 M pa, CTC)

POSITION INFO:

Our Client, a well-established and highly prestigious South African Manufacturer in the technical textiles industry is seeking to URGENTLY appoint a seasoned and dynamic Group Research & Development (R&D) Executive who can not only lead, but mentor and inspire a team of direct reports, based in their Pinetown, Durban Head Office.

MAIN PURPOSE FOR THE ROLE:

• Manage and co-ordinate all R&D activities of the Group.
• Planning, Leading, Organising and Controlling the various R&D processes across the Group, project managing product developments and reporting progress thereon to the Group Board of Directors.
• Assist the Group Board of Directors (BOD), where required with strategy development associated with product development.
• Assist the Group BOD to develop its strategy specifically with advice as to which markets to consider. 

KEY COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum Under Graduate Technical Qualification.
• Minimum Post Graduate Management Diploma.
• A Business/ Commercial Qualification – highly advantageous
• Project management experience – minimum of 5 years.
• Product development experience – minimum 5 years (Not necessarily in a field related the Group’s business, however should be Technical Product Development as opposed to Service development).
• Minimum 3 years'' managerial experience preferably in a manufacturing environment
• Detailed JD Edwards knowledge and experience, advantageous
• Proficient in MS Office software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• A systems thinker who is able to synthesize solutions, but also analytical and able to dissect existing products;
• Demonstrable creative thinking ability.
• Ability to think laterally
• Strong Decision making skills
• Excellent motivational skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Strong Negotiation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Superior people skills
• Strong ICT proficiency

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish relationship with all relevant functions in all businesses, specifically Company R&D Function, Operations and Sales, and generally Finance with specific focus on BOMs and Product Costing;
• Project manage, product development across all companies for Company specific and Inter- Company product development from concept to customer;
• Implement a rigorous product development process in all companies;
• Ensure that the Company implements and uses a customer-centric product development model;
• Drive the process of product development to commercialisation and hand-over to production;
• Mentor current Company R&D Specialists in all of the above; and
• Evaluate R&D managers and asses their readiness and ability to fill a Group role.

APPLY NOW ! 

PLEASE NOTE:

• Closing date for applications is 26th March 2021
• Should you not receive our relayed invitation for an interview with the client within two weeks of the closing date, please accept that your application has not been unsuccessful.
• The client reserves the right to make an appointment aligned to their Resource Requirement Plan.
• The client reserves the right not to make an appointment.  

SHOULD THIS OPPORTUNITY NOT BE SUITED TO YOU, KINDLY FORWARD IT TO A FRIEND.

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