Are you a strategic and hands-on project leader with deep expertise in product development, commercialization, and the tobacco industry? We are seeking an experienced Manager, Project Management to drive innovative projects from concept to market launch, helping shape the future of traditional and next-generation tobacco products, including Heated Tobacco Products (HTP)/Reduced Risk Products (RRP).
In this highly visible role, you will collaborate with global customers, cross-functional teams, and key stakeholders to deliver successful product launches while ensuring excellence in quality, cost, timing, and compliance.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Manager, Project Management, you will oversee and lead a diverse portfolio of innovation projects tailored to customer requirements, ranging from incremental product enhancements to complex, large-scale innovation initiatives involving product and process development, infrastructure upgrades, equipment installation, supply chain enhancements, and operational transformation.
Project Leadership & Commercialization
- Lead end-to-end project execution from concept, development, and validation through to commercialization and market launch.
- Manage multiple internal and customer-facing projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery against agreed timelines, budgets, and business objectives.
- Act as the primary project lead, coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve customer requirements and exceed expectations.
Customer & Technical Engagement
- Prepare and manage technical proposals, including requirement validation, feasibility assessments, resource planning, lead times, and cost evaluations.
- Partner closely with multinational customers and commercial teams to deliver innovative solutions and strengthen customer relationships.
- Participate as a key member of customer project teams, providing technical expertise and project leadership.
Product Development & Innovation
- Drive new product development initiatives, particularly within tobacco and next-generation product categories such as Heated Tobacco Products (HTP).
- Plan, execute, and oversee technical trials to ensure project objectives and customer specifications are successfully achieved.
- Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement across products, processes, and operations.
Quality, Risk & Compliance Management
- Ensure project and product quality standards consistently meet or exceed customer expectations.
- Proactively identify project risks and challenges, develop mitigation strategies, and communicate updates to stakeholders.
- Maintain strict compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental, Quality, Regulatory, and Information Security requirements.
Financial & Operational Management
- Support development costing and business case preparation, including CAPEX evaluation and justification for new equipment investments.
- Coordinate factory readiness activities, infrastructure modifications, equipment installations, and operational transitions required for commercialization.
- Conduct post-project reviews and implement lessons learned to enhance future project delivery.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead and mentor project team members, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Deliver technical training and knowledge-sharing sessions across Sales, Production, Finance, and other business functions.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment and proactive communication throughout project lifecycles.
- Represent the company at industry forums and conferences through technical presentations and thought leadership initiatives.
What We’re Looking For
- Minimum 10 years of experience in New Product Development, Technical Project Management, or Commercialization, ideally within the tobacco industry.
- Bachelor’s Degree in a technical discipline such as Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Process Engineering, Materials Science, Textile Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree or higher (MSc, MEng, MBA, PhD) is highly desirable.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering product launches and commercialization projects.
- Experience working with multinational customers and managing complex cross-functional projects.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, product development processes, and factory environments.
- Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies is advantageous.
- Experience in emerging tobacco categories, particularly Heated Tobacco Products (HTP), is highly preferred.
