Project Specialist

**Position Snapshot**

Location: Singapore

Company: Nestle R&D Center, Singapore

Type of contract: Permanent

**Position Summary**
- “I want to work with the best scientific minds to address major nutrition and health challenges through innovative approaches in nutrition science”_

Over the last 5 years, the 800-staff of our Nestlé Research organization has published around 1000 scientific publications in peer review journals and files about 80 patents every year. Nestlé Research also collaborates with approximately 100 universities or research institutes around the world. Nestlé Research delivers game-changing scientific discoveries to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. Nestle Research is present in Asia: with hubs in Singapore and Beijing, where our teams are working with the global Nestlé community to advance innovative science-based solutions to address major nutrition challenges in Asia-Pacific. Nestlé R&D Center is based in Jurong, Singapore, employs approximately 200 people. Please have a tour of our facilities using this link or read more about Nestlé Research at our website.

As a Project Specialist - R&D, you will be part of a dynamic scientific team responsible for the efficient and effective execution of Nestlé Research projects of medium to high complexity up to Transfer to the business or market launch. You will plan and lead projects with an E2E mindset; to synchronise activities and a cross-functional and multidisciplinary team against agreed outputs, embracing details and ambiguity in context, yet keeping a helicopter view to simplify complexity and to strive for quick management decisions.

**A day in the life of...**
- Drive the project through stakeholder management and leading project team towards the common project objective.
- Understanding business needs and guide project team towards these needs
- Reaching out to Functional Line Managers to identify and secure resources. Maintain project budget
- Synchronising all functions (within R&D Singapore and NR) involved in the project to coordinate timelines, track end-to-end activities and milestones and ensure project is progressing as planned
- Leading Key Success Criteria definition with project team, challenging KSC with an unbiased view to assure speed and get validation from Decider(s)
- Timely preparation of the Business Opportunity, and in case the project scope is covering Market launch, also Business Case and Business Plan
- Drive Opportunity and Risk Management and escalating critical issues to Decider(s) - Doing preventive management of roadblock
- Coordinating and facilitating project meetings including kick-off meeting, gate meetings, regular project meetings, risk assessments, post-launch reviews and additional meetings or workshops as required
- Provide transparency, documentation and communication of project status and risk to cross functional team members, PMO Head and Deciders
- Lead internal and external Stakeholders management: identify stakeholders, distribute responsibilities among project team and ensure proper communication
- Capture and share lessons learnt
- Leverage own functional expertise and network to steer project team towards best solution definition and execution. In particular, use own expertise to:

- Question/challenge proposed activities and solutions
- Contribute to the Business Opportunity, and depending on the project scope also to Business Case and Business Plan
- Ensure smooth operational management of hub through:

- Portfolio management: Ensure proper budget planning and documentation for all projects have been maintained
- Budget planning for the hub to ensure +/- 5% of budget planned is expensed for the year
- Provide project management guidance to scientists in the department
- Provide guidance to scientists on department OMP and KPIs"
- Scout for new collaborators in the region to meet NR research needs or regional research needs
- Maintain existing relationship with partners; Support existing project collaborations by providing local context
- Manage external collaborations budget

**What will make you successful**
- Minimum 5 years of cross-functional experience gained through participation in I&R projects, or through mission/assignment in various organizations
- 2 to 3 years of project management experience
- Has successfully shown leadership skills within a cross-functional team
- Has worked in a matrix-like structure
- Has demonstrated courage and ability to solve problems
- Has proven communication skills