Senior Manager, Launch Program Management

**Role Purpose**

This position is accountable for the delivery of the regional snacks agenda for the Developed and Emerging Markets. The role requires the management of multiple concurrent projects varying in complexity, at local and international Kellanova facilities, with joint ventures and contract manufactures, and includes new product introductions, renovation of existing products, geographic expansion, supply chain and new business acquisition projects.

The purpose of the position is to facilitate an effective and efficient project management and review process, ensuring the appropriate preparation of technical and commercial information to support the stage gate approval process. The focus on Portfolio Management will ensure the right projects are executed, in the right way, to deliver the best return for the business.

This position is the conduit to provide local, regional and global RQNT innovation information to ensure that all systems are regularly updated to enable accurate reporting of innovation metrics. Having a responsibility to work with global RQNT & IT leads to maintain systems and to rollout new systems and processes, including upgrades and associated training across the region and provide user support for issue resolution as required _.**Accountabilities**
- Contribute to the leadership, development and maintenance of the Innovation project calendar.
- Contribute to the leadership and development of project resource planning.
- Provide coaching, training and refresh of the stage gate process to gate keepers - consults / decision makers as well as peers
- Responsible for the development, timely, complete and accurate maintenance of project data, timelines and program/project status dashboards and or tracking tools
- Provide leadership and guidance to LPM’s in executing multiple and complex projects using the Kellanova Stage-Gate model.
- Provide leadership and education to cross-functional teams in executing multiple and complex projects
- Provide mentoring and support to the LPM team.
- Provide training, support and administration for existing or future Project & Portfolio Management information system
- Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and contributors to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of project management.
- Present project updates to Leadership as required.
- Prepare and present AMEA Snacks innovation reports to the Global and Asia Pacific Leadership Team, as required.
- Identify project issues and develop contingency plans to mitigate risks.
- Manage the regional Monthly Innovation Meeting process to facilitate the timely consult and approval of project stage gate documents and chair stage gate approval meetings.
- Develop &/or facilitate implementation of innovation process improvement initiatives.
- May lead or have oversight of key supply chain initiatives in the region.
- From time to time based on business priority and complexity, execute other project types such as Packaging Work and Commercial Innovation.

**Knowledge, Skills and Experience**
- Tertiary qualifications in a science, engineering, business or related degree
- Significant business experience (min. 7-8 yrs) in managing multiple and complex business projects
- Experience in the food manufacturing industry and the FMCG sector is preferable
- Strong people leadership, business, financial acumen and communication skills
- Able to build strong working relationships with all levels and across business functions to effectively execute projects and programs
- Strong collaboration and influencing skills
- Self-driven and well organized have high standards of organisation & accuracy
- Ability to demonstrate critical thinking with strong problem-solving skills
- Solution and results-focused mindset.