Executive Strategic and Project Sustainability at Bridgestone South Africa (Pty) Ltd

JOB PURPOSE

We are looking for a Executive Strategic Projects and Sustainability reporting directly to the Chief Operations Director. This is a Local role, based in Midrand, Gauteng. 

You will responsible for facilitating long term strategy development and planning, project development life cycle for key initiatives, development of competitive and credible company commercial sustainability strategies and align this to business operations with the company’s mission and goals.  

The Executive Strategic Projects and Sustainability will develop, promote and communicate BSAF’s Corporate Social Responsibility program and grow the initiative into a program that supports employee engagement and strengthens the employee value proposition. Ensure that the program enhances the company’s overall reputation while bridging community and business goals to drive impact and gain external visibility. 

 The Executive Strategic Projects and Sustainability will also manage and allocate resources effectively across all projects, by managing priorities based on timelines, budgets, providing the right resources and define roles and responsibilities needed on any given project. 

The role will manage the Strategic Projects and Sustainability (including CSR) team and the position is based in Waterfall Midrand office.  

Responsibilities: 

Strategy and Planning 

• Facilitate long term strategy development and provide company management with strategy updates.
• Develop and implements a business innovation process in the company, including measurements against long term strategy.  
• Provide management with corporate performance measures and competitor analysis and ensures functional alignment with company strategy.
• Responsible for developing partnerships, strategic alliances and associations whilst representing the company's views effectively.
• Research and analyze industry and competitive trends to identify emerging market opportunities and strategic areas of interest.
• Identify and prioritize product and service improvement opportunities and creates plans for implementation.
• Develop complex forecasting models that include KPI's on budgets, resource allocation, business goals, and monitor and report to leadership on achievements and variances.
• Plan for cross-departmental projects in the strategic areas identified and oversees them during implementation and roll-out. 
• Utilize comprehensive knowledge of company's internal operations to develop forwardlooking focus for business.  

Project Management Office 

• Collaborate with leaders and teams in BSAF to define, prioritize and develop projects in line with strategic and operational business goals determined by BSAF.
• Develop program/project management best practices/templates and provide training / mentoring to project teams.
• Accountable for providing central expertise, support, and control for BSAF's projects/programs.
• Monitor dependencies across multiple inter-related projects.
• Monitor / manage the project portfolio and manage stakeholder communication via structured communication cadence. Stakeholders include leaders, teams and related function in BSAF as well as the central PMO team in EMIA. 
• Serve as a central governing body to review/audit adherence to methodologies, budgets, and timing.
• Oversee staffing and management for the organization's major projects/programs. 

 Sustainability 

• Provide strategic input in order to develop a sustainability plan that is designed to embed sustainability in BSAF and ensures that our sustainability efforts come to life through our brands and customer partnerships.
• Monitor and evaluate BSAF’s production, manufacturing and supply chain processes as they relate to sustainability and compliance with regulations.
• Identify areas where the company can lessen its environmental impact.
• Set guidelines that govern the interplay between the company and the surrounding environment.
• Ensure the company’s compliance with all environmental regulations.
• Collaborate with various departments to incorporate sustainability practices and set environmental conservation goals.
• Lead training sessions and workshops on sustainability practices and policies for employees. 

Corporate Social Responsibility 

• Manage the implementation and continuance of BSAF’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program to ensure consistency and effectiveness.
• Develop, analyse and evaluate the impact, resource requirements and cost & benefit of new programs.
• Evaluate CSR initiatives against industry standards; analyse results and develop action plans to ensure BSAF has a best in class CSR program.
• In partnership with Marketing, develop strategies and materials for the communication of CSR initiatives to all internal and external stakeholders, ensuring overall messaging consistency across the business.
• In partnership with the People Function, plan and promote events to engage employees and raise awareness of CSR programs. 

Team Management:  

• Ensure that all the Strategic Projects and Sustainability team members are well managed and motivated. 
• Set clear objectives for the Strategic Planning team resulting in key performance areas and sales targets being met.
• Work with the People team to ensure that all the correct training and development occurs for all staff.
• Lead the Strategic Planning team and maintain a high level of motivation. 
• Provide direct reports with clear individual objectives and continuous follow up through Success Factors. 

 Corporate Risk and Compliance based on the Bridgestone Essence, CSR & Risk Management:  

• Manage the team in line with all aspects of the Company Philosophy – the Bridgestone Essence. 
• Remain compliant with all activities and ensure all teams are managed in line with the Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility guidelines. 

 Education:

• Business, Economics, Operations and a high standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Degree: Bcom, bachelor’s degree in business administration, Master’s or equivalent  

 Previous experience:

• At least 10 to 12 years of experience related to the duties and responsibilities specified.  

 Specific behavior / attitudes / Personal attributes:  

 Strong management, decisive and leadership skills.

• Solid technical background with hands-on experience in strategic level planning and large organizational project portfolio management with Project Management Office leadership desired.
• Excellent high-level negotiation and presentation skills. 
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and project management tools and applications required.
• Ability to establish strategic direction and effectively communicates the vision.
• Business acumen to achieve results through others.
• Rigor in budgeting and experience in dealing with budgeting.
• Excellent communicator, strong interpersonal skills and articulate at all levels 
• Flexible approach to work and ability to prioritize work.
• People management skills & problem-solving skills.
• Strong ethics, respectful and trustworthy.
• Above all, the attitude, enthusiasm and Keenness to succeed.