E2E Project Manager

NielsenIQ; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer intelligence company is seeking a Project Manager to oversee field activities for market research projects. The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years of project management experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage resources effectively. Responsibilities include monitoring project progress, ensuring quality compliance, and delivering reports on time. A flexible working environment and employee benefits are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working environment

Volunteer time off

LinkedIn Learning

Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 2-3 years project management experience in market research is preferable.
• Excellent field/vendor relations skills.
• Computer literacy and accurate keyboard skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of field activities to ensure project completion.
• Monitor respondent quotas and ensure quality of responses.
• Deliver timely project summary reports.

Skills

Project management experience

Strong communication skills

Organized with time management

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving abilities

Negotiation skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

College/University graduate

Tools

STG

Decipher

Job description

Company Description

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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The project management role is responsible for managing all aspects of field activities to ensure that projects are completed within established budgets, parameters and schedule, proactively identify the potential operational risks with mitigation plan in place, making sure we deliver & exceed expectation and delight clients

The ideal candidate should have project management experience as well as solid operational knowledge in market research industry and have excellent field/vendor relations skills including supervision, negotiating and follow-up.

Essential Duties

• Solid understanding of the interview process, preferably in market research, and familiarity with commonly used terminology and jargon
• Strong communication and “people skills”; able to effectively problem solve and diffuse potential conflicts
• Organized with strong time management skills; proactive and able to meet deadlines and follow-up on action items
• Detail-oriented, both in giving instructions and monitoring process and deliverables
• Ability to prioritize, negotiate, solve problems and work under pressure
• Good command of English and local language(s) (verbal and written)
• Computer literacy and accurate keyboard skills
• Implement the SOP and identify, document and take action on any non-compliance
• Provide support on any follow-up action(s) that may be required by QC team

Project Management

• Field-setup: Prepare high quality fielding materials & instructions;
• Field-setup: Establish and facilitate regular project meetings and discuss with commercial to collect and analyze their business requirements and transfer to accurate specifications;
• Field-setup: Provide fieldwork briefing & training to vendors to clarify project specification and requirements;
• Field-setup: Work closely with field team/vendors and online panel suppliers to ascertain their capacity & capability level and allocate resources to meet project requirements;
• Field-setup: Thoroughly check questionnaire, survey link is working and coordinates any rectification with commercial and programmer;
• Field Execution: Monitor the productivity and progress by driving fieldwork team or external vendors to meet project timeline according to planned schedule;
• Field Execution: Monitor respondent quotas are targeted and achieved, tracking and advising on quality of responses and data;
• Field Execution: Ensure timely response to any queries from QC, CS or client;
• Field Execution: Work closely with QC team if there is any quality validation required;
• Field Execution: Ensure all the project material/product/concept and storage are handled confidentially;
• Field Execution: Manage and track project budget and variance;
• Project Closure: Deliver timely project summary reports and performance dashboard;
• Project Closure: Calculate and proceed payment with vendors or online suppliers;
• Project Closure: Ensure all the project material/product/concept are disposed confidentially.

Resource Management

• Proactively identify the resource gap and work with sourcing/HR team to supplement the gap.

Vendor Management

• Provide performance feedback to Vendors to improve their morale and motivation
• Encourage continuous improvement by providing Vendors with timely, constructive feedback and necessary support to ensure high quality and timely delivery;
• Organize KPI discussion and action planning meeting to provide feedback and recognition to vendor partners on their project execution
• Continuously look and accredit professional vendors who can support our business needs
• Ensure field Vendors are informed of the quality control requirements for outsourced projects.

Time Management

• Design project schedule to align resource allocation and timeline.

Cost Management

• Document project life cycle cost information for use in controlling expenditures
• Analyze audits of costs and prepare reports.

Change Management

• Manage change requests to minimize impact to cost and execution
• Analyze changes in project design to determine cost impact
• Escalate change request to higher level for review and approval before implementing change

Quality Management

• Conduct fieldwork observation/accompaniment when required and address vendor issues to help field team to implement corrective actions so they are consistent with quality standards

Risk Management

• Proactively identify and manage resolution of risks and issues that may negatively impact a project deliverable
• Seek and implements innovative ways to remove project obstacles
• Escalate project issues and risks as appropriate

Communications

• Conduct regular project reviews and communicates the status of project
• Document, shares and leverages project lessons learned and promote best practices for continuous improvement

Compliance

• Manage, maintain and dispose all project materials and documentation according to company SOP manual.
• Fully complied with data security and privacy policy to protect personal individual-level data as well as client provided name list
• Work with fieldwork team and external vendors/suppliers to assure the process adherence to company SOP as well as meeting country policies & regulations.
• Ensure that all internal systems and documentations are appropriately updated in a timely manner;

Confidentiality/ILD, Concept and Product Security

• Ensure all project requirements (e.g., NDA, concept/product handling, storage, retrieval and disposal, etc.) adhere to the Concept and Product Security SOP and the Individual Level Data & Project Material Retention SOP

People Management

• Establish high standards of performance and hold associates firmly accountable for meeting those standards;
• Provide support, recognition and feedback to assist employees to achieve their performance standards

Qualifications

• College/University graduate an advantage – there could be candidates with many years of good experience but no formal qualification
• Experience: 2-3 years project management or project delivery relevant experience in market research is preferable, proven record in process improvement area will be competitive
• Functional & Technical Skills: Understand project management process in market research industry; understand Nielsen products & services; a knowledge of programming & reporting tools like STG or Decipher would be ideal
• Project Management Skills
• Strategic & Commercial Thinking: Ability to understand business / function strategy and finds way to improve profitability
• Decision Making: Ability to make decisions based on good understanding of own area
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Ability to contribute ideas and actively involves self in brainstorming among multiple sources
• Have a Digital Mindset and be comfortable to drive digital initiatives
• Operational Excellence: Ability to follow through unplanned but urgent assignments without compromising work standards
• Client Driven: Ability to demonstrate understanding of client’s needs and prioritizes the needs of different clients
• Building Relationship & Networks: Ability to actively seek to network and work collaboratively in partnership with others
• Ethics & Integrity: Ability to understand ethical & integrity values and commit to credible and reliable behaviour
• Driving People Performance: Ability to show resilience and is able to multi-task achieving goals despite multiple demands.
• Working & Managing as a Team: Ability to understand the organizational goals and collectively works towards them by demonstrating willingness to take assigned or required team role.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

• Flexible working environment
• Volunteer time off
• LinkedIn Learning
• Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights—delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms—NIQ delivers the Full View. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

Want to keep up with our latest updates?

Follow us on: LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence.All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact.To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the site.