Projects & Continuous Improvement Manager
Durban - South Africa
Job Summary
Job Title: Projects & Continuous Improvement Manager
Reporting To: Site Lead
Function: Manufacturing/ Supply Chain
Location:South Africa -Canelands
ABOUT UPL:
UPL is focused on emerging as a premier global provider of total crop solutions designed to secure the worlds long-term food supply. Winningfarmershearts across the globe while leading the way with innovative products and services that make agriculture sustainable UPL is thefastest-growingcompany in the industry. Our successes in the field add up to powerful financials. UPL delivers results from protecting crops that translate into attractive investor value. Based on the recognition that humankind is one community UPLs overarching commitment is to improve areas of its presence workplaceand customer engagement.
Our purposeisOpenAg.An agriculture network that feeds sustainable growth for all.No limits no borders.
We are one team for maximum impact. One team with shared goals. We have a laser-like focus on what our customers need and want on anticipating their future needsandonhow we can create innovative solutions and experiences for them. We think outside the box and go beyond our comfort zone. We believe in agility we mix the power of speed with structure from process. And wherever we can we always believe in having fun
Role Summary :
The role isresponsible fordrivingorganizational efficiency by leading and optimizing operational workflowsincluding toanalyse performance data identify bottlenecks and manage end-to-end projects aimed at reducing costs eliminating waste and elevating serviceandproduct quality.
Key Responsibilities :
Project Management:
Oversees end-to-end project lifecycles managing resource allocation timelines and budgets to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.
Define project scopeby outline the goals deliverables features and constraints of the project.
Identify stakeholders who will be impacted by the project and establish communication channels
Create project plansby developinga structured timeline set milestones and schedule tasks.
Allocate resourcesby assigningteam members andassist tosecure necessary tools or materials to get the job done
Estimate costs and track expenditures to ensure the project stays within financial constraints
Motivateprojectteam assign specific duties and foster collaboration
Proactively identify assess and address any risks that could derail the project.
Ensure the work meets thequality and safetystandards and expectations
Conduct a post-project review to evaluate performance document lessons learned and close outsign-off.
Process Optimization
Bottleneck Identification: Pinpointing specific steps causing delays excessive errors or redundant manuallabor.
Data Collection: Gathering quantitative and qualitative data to measure current cycle times error rates and resource costs.
Root Cause Analysis: Investigatingtheunderperforming processesthatfail to align with overarching business goals.
Automation Implementation: Integrating digital tools or AI to remove repetitive error-prone manual tasks.
Simplification:Identifyingoperational inefficiencies and designs workflows using frameworks like Lean Six Sigma Kaizen and Value Stream Mapping to streamline processes.
Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring all departments agree on the new process flows and understand their individual duties.
Continuous Improvement: Cultivating an operational excellence mindset where processes are continuously reviewedrather than treated as a one-off project
Data Analytics
Data collection:Collects and translates complex operational data into actionable insights dashboards and KPI reports to measure project success.
KPI Tracking: Monitoring performance metrics (e.g. cost per unit customer satisfaction time saved) to ensure tangible ROI.
Change Facilitation
Acts as an internal change agent(management of change) guiding cross-functional teams through organizational shifts and fostering a permanent culture of continuous improvement.
Training & Coaching
Leads workshops and mentoringemployees at all levels on problem-solving methodologies and best practices.
Responsibility Weightage and % of Time Spent Matrix
Responsibility | Weightage | % of Time Spent |
Project Management | 30 | 25% |
Process Optimization | 30 | 25% |
Data Analytics | 20 | 20% |
ChangeFacilitation | 10 | 20% |
Training & Coaching | 10 | 10% |
Financial Accountability
Capex budget
Effectiveresourceutilization
Strategic:Strategic60%; Tactical40%
Number of Direct Reports:01
Number of Indirect Reports:0
Internal Stakeholders
Manufacturing
Supply Chain
Health Safety & Environment
ExternalInteractions
Stakeholders
EquipmentSuppliers
Knowledge Skills and Experience Required
TechnicalRequirements:
National DiplomainChemical Engineering
Lean Six Sigma Training
Post-Graduate in Business Administration is recommended
2-5years experiencein continuous improvement
Behavioural Requirements
Adaptability & Resilience
Results Orientations
Customer Centricity
UPLCompetencies
Adaptability & Resilience
Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behavior and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open inclusive and accepting workplace
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Hasa creative mindset and ability to think holistically takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities
Results Orientations
Acts pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition
Execution Excellence
Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processessystemsand people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation
Strategic Orientation
Demonstrates knowledge of the social economic and environmental factors and how they impactbusiness. Identifies key issues that could impact the business anddevelopstrategy through an analytical lens / design thinking
Building Teams and Talent
Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments
Customer Centricity
Understandingthecustomersneeds and painpointsfulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
UPL sustainable agriculture technology offer smart farming practices & innovative crop solutions to farmers & agribusinesses. Join us in creating a better tomorrow through sustainable agriculture.