YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, End to End Innovation Project Lead, are to: 

• Lead between six to ten innovations and growth driving initiatives (e.g., commercial innovation, claims, price pack architecture, NPD) for North America;
• Be responsible for delivering projects on time, on budget;
• Ensure decisions reflect the agreed scope and Key Performance Indicators of the project and lead tough conversations with leaders to manage conflicts and issues as they arise;
• Own project critical path to success, directing activities across the cross-functional project team – including Commercial team (GCT Innovation Leads, Regional Marketing, Commercial Strategy), Product Supply, Research and Development/Technical Leads, and RMSC (Regulatory, Medical, Safety and Compliance) and holding project team members accountable for deliverables and milestones;
• Drive consistency and appropriateness of project management principles and best practices, oversee the assessment of all project risks, develops necessary mitigations and provide relevant and transparent project information to senior management and stakeholders;
• Ensure planning and project management is guided by the Bayer Consumer Health North America innovation operating model, governance and processes and is appropriate for the project type;
• Allow flexibility in approach for efficient and effective delivery where project scope permits;
• Manage end-to-end budget and resources for the project, including all internal and external resource costs and ensure P&L outcomes for the project reflect the business objectives, including revenue projections, optimized media/marketing spend plans and management of DSAL/write-off risk;
• Have strong adherence to project financials (project spend, COGS/margin targets, cannibalization and P&I targets) and changes that impact delivery of business case.
• Oversee risk assessments and identify barriers, develop clearly outlined mitigation options and work with cross functional leadership to overcome hurdles;
• Escalate issues as needed to ensure necessary decisions and course correction prior to off-track events occurring;
• Identify and recommend opportunities for continuous improvement behind North America innovation operations; lead change management projects to deliver for success;
• Proactive management of innovation portfolio to ensure Key Performance Indicators from innovation are delivered across all functions;
• Be focused on Gold/Silver innovation (largest) and leadership of others who will manage Bronze innovation (smaller, but necessary projects);
• Make monthly project gate reviews through Innovation and Initiatives meeting with Senior Director, E2E Project Management and team Business case adhered to for timelines and key deliverables;
• Keep choices and risks surfaced in a timely manner when projects are off track.

WHO YOU ARE

Your success will be driven by your demonstration of our LIFE values.  More specifically related to this position, Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree:
• At least five years of progressive business experience in the consumer package goods industry or equivalent, with strong knowledge of full product life cycle;
• At least two years of project management leadership experience;
• Experience designing portfolio management and/or innovation operating model creation;
• Prioritization skills within a broader portfolio to deliver Key Performance Indicators;
• Ability to hold cross-functional members accountable to key deliverables, regardless of level within the organization;
• Builds effective teams, cultivates innovation, learning and change agility, customer focus, action oriented/drives results, collaborates globally and locally, plans and aligns, drives stakeholder engagement, effectively manages suppliers;
• Excellent financial management skills to critically assess strategic goals and cost investments versus results;
• Ability to streamline operational processes;
• Experience in a basic understanding of promotion effectiveness and continual improvement on ROIs;
• Understand the customer and the marketplace;
• Exceptional knowledge of retailer landscape and how to impact the total market;
• Understand the impact of individual decisions to Bayer’s total business and relevant long-term implications;
• Sales experience with key retailers;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Able to deliver clear and concise presentations, actionable direction and work well within a matrixed team environment;
• Proven success with one-on-one customer negotiations;
• Proven ability to develop win-win solutions to complex situations;
• Superior problem solving and critical thinking skills demonstrated through multi-task problem solving and practical judgment;
• Robust analytical capabilities across a variety of data sources and platforms with ability to execute sales planning activities;
• Advanced computer literacy skill required, specifically Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject area;
• Global experience;
• Sales strategy/operations experience.