Project Management Officer: Production Activities

Profile Personnel; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm is seeking a Project Manager to conduct feasibility studies for local production in Africa. The role includes leading teams, negotiating with stakeholders, and managing project implementation. Ideal candidates should have a degree in Business Administration or Engineering, with at least 5 years of experience in project management. The position requires strong strategic thinking, conflict management skills, and the ability to operate across cultural lines, ensuring effective execution of production activities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in project management or strategy environment.
• Automotive experience is an advantage.
• Strong financial analysis and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in automotive or manufacturing sectors is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Conduct project feasibility studies for local production activities.
• Lead inter-divisional teams across brands and cultures.
• Track and monitor project milestones as agreed by the Board.
• Negotiate with external partners and engage with stakeholders.
• Support management in project execution and internal consultations.

Skills

Negotiating and decision-making

Financial analysis

Project management

Strategic thinking

Conflict management

Negotiation

Education

Degree or Diploma in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Brief Role Description

The core purpose of this position is to conduct project feasibility studies for local production activities in Africa as well as to drive, plan and implement production facilities in Africa.

This position will also act as project manager, on new business and strategy development, lead inter-divisional teams across brands and cultures and to drive and co-ordinate company African footprint.

The incumbent will also negotiate with external partners such as governmental authorities and production partners as well as engage with key stakeholders and determine internal and external factors affecting mid- (<5 years) to long-term (>5 years) needs. The position will also be required to establish and evaluate scenarios for Board decision.

Possible Tasks within this Role

• To conduct project feasibility studies for local production activities
• To lead an inter-divisional team across brands and cultures
• Assume responsibility for the tracking and monitoring of project milestones as agreed by the Board of Management.
• Anticipate issues and identify solutions and alternatives in advance by reviewing open tasks and deadlines as well as motivating and encouraging team members in order to ensure targets are fulfilled.
• Represent the company within the Group as well as externally
• To negotiate with external partners such as governmental authorities and production partners
• To engage with Group, Regional, Local and external stakeholders to formulate, implement and monitor the Corporate regional strategy.
• Identifying new business opportunities to promote sustainable development in African markets
• Managing the evaluation as well as implementation of new projects, primarily local production activities, in Africa.
• Supporting management in preparing, scheduling, coordinating and monitoring of internal resources to ensure the effective execution of assigned projects.
• Assisting management by acting as an internal consultant on new business and prioritized projects by engaging with stakeholders and determining internal and external factors affecting mid to long term needs.

Qualification requirements

• Degree or Diploma in one of the fields of Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering or equivalent

Experience needed

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in project management or strategy environment

Essentials

• Negotiating and decision-making experience at a senior level
• Financial analysis capability
• Automotive experience an advantage
• Ability to operate across a wide range of complex business segments
• Ability to think, plan and execute at a strategic project management level
• Sound decision-making ability
• Ability to communicate with and lead teams at all levels
• Ability to plan, execute and make decisions on projects and initiatives according to approved KPIs
• Ability to monitor and track project progress, to anticipate, identify and resolve major issues and to report and elevate these to the Board or Steering Committees
• Leading and motivating inter-divisional teams in a pressurized environment.
• Conflict management ability
• Experience in representing the Company, locally and internationally, at any level.
• Ability to operate and negotiate across cultural lines
• Ability to present to multi-national groups at all levels (Heads of Government, Ministers, CEO’s etc.)
• Ability to analyze external environment, draw relevant insights and anticipate trends
• Ability to develop, analyze and present scenarios