Technical Innovations Specialist at Diageo

About the role:

Overview

• The role is responsible for Supply Chain Liquid development and packaging (innovation and renovation) within Supply Chain/Production function in Diageo South Africa
• This role is the link between marketing Innovation and Supply/Production functions and would lead in the piloting of new products in this regard.
• Collaborate and partner with the supply sources, 3rd party, co-packers and materials suppliers in driving the innovations agenda

Role Responsibilities:

• Approaches issues from a range of perspectives to develop commercially viable insights.
• Operates in a determined and purposeful manner and is tenacious at achieving goals.
• Demonstrates exemplary stakeholder engagement capability.
• Constantly promotes and builds upon the expertise and professionalism of the GBTC.
• Prepared to make objective decisions and stand behind them.
• Is resilient in periods of pressure.
• Engages others in new projects and initiatives.
• Responds to change in a positive and flexible manner.
• Is a strong advocate of and proficient in the use of the Concept to consumer (C2C) ways of working.
• Builds the right team to achieve clearly defined and communicated project goals.
• Creates a supportive and challenging team climate, understands how to get the best from others.
• Has sound understanding of own impact and modifies actions, accordingly, works hard to understand what is important to others.

Purpose of Role

• Responsible and accountable for Supply Chain brand change activities.

Top 3-5 Accountabilities

• Delivery of “True to Concept” packaging and liquid solutions to agreed cost, quality and time commitments.
• Develop packs and liquid for innovation and brand change and translate a prototype concept into a fully commercialised package, working closely with suppliers.
• Application of required project planning, budgeting, tracking, reporting and stakeholder communications processes to demonstrate required rigour of project management.
• Application of necessary packaging development skills to ensure “Design for Quality” packaging designed which performs well at all stages in the Supply Chain

Experience / skills required:

• Relevant Degree or related qualification.
• 6 years Technical innovations experience
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills, being capable of developing sound working relationships.
• Strong project management skills with sound knowledge of a wide range of raw materials packaging materials and processes including:
• Artwork specification and management
• Reprographics process
• Design and development of packaging, materials and liquids.
• Translate concept of both liquid and packaging into a fully commercialised product through developing product handling processes and managing technical trials at pilot and production scale, working closely with other teams involved in these trials.
• Ensure new products comply with the requirements of the Liquor Products Act and other legislative and internal regulations and standards.
• Keep up to date with new innovations and technology and be proactive in bringing potential opportunities to the attention of the business.
• Deliver all work to agree standard on time and within budget while at all times complying with Health and Safety requirements and Good Manufacturing Practice.
• Application of required project planning, budgeting, tracking, reporting and stakeholder communications processes to demonstrate required rigour of project management.
• Risk Management practices and techniques.
• Ability to develop sound understanding of GBTC and Brand Change processes and Ways of Working.
• Ability to develop sound understanding of Navigate and Accelerate 360 process.
• Excellent organization, report preparation, and presentation skills.

Essential Attributes for Success

• Ability to operate independently on own initiative, including being unable to engage and impact on senior managers.
• Ability to fully engage with customer base to define and deliver projects successfully.
• Ownership and accountability for own actions.
• Project management experience,
• Ability to work in cross functional teams and influence in that scale