Product Leader: Product Implementation and Lifecycle Management at Volkswagen Group South Africa

Brief Role Description
This position is responsible for the timely assessment and implementation of Change Management (Aeko’s) and Lifecycle activities, for vehicle projects defined as products predominantly for export markets, as instructed by the Group Board. This position is also responsible for special model introduction project management to keep the models relevant as per customer and regional requirements.   Collates and prepares the presentations to for approval of the funds to top management for the project changes post milestone PF as well as Model Year. Ensuring that the approval request is agreed cross divisionally and does not negatively impact the business from a financial and overall plant efficiency perspective.

Possible Tasks within this Role

• Plan, lead and organise local cross-divisional meetings to ensure successful project implementation.
• Review open tasks and deadlines using timing plans to achieve a successful start of production (SOP).
• Motivate and encourage team members by providing the necessary support, guidance and platform where open communication is encouraged to ensure products meet customer requirements while being economically viable.
• Represent VWGA at local and international product and platform team meetings to maintain the information flow.
• Consolidate divisional input to be submitted for Aeko’s (investment, timing), and coordinate local Aeko meetings in preparation for Group forums in order to represent VWGA at international Aeko [Change Point] meetings thus ensuring changes are financially feasible and divisional inputs are plausible.
• Represent VWGA in model year meetings ensuring both the HUT and Platform changes in Brazil and Skoda respectively are implemented for the local product where necessary to ensure vehicle buildability.
• Represent the department in all complexity and variant reduction forums.
• Interfacing with the Fachgruppen (Specialist Group) team leaders by setting up regular feedback sessions to ensure part readiness for a successful SOP.
• Prepare business cases with cross-divisional input for local and international forums by ensuring all divisions timeously provided their cost impact for Finance to create a business case.
• Develop strategy recommendation presentations for VWGA production by liaising with international Project Leader counterparts ensuring that the best suited product is developed and built.
• Evaluate cross-divisional impact of decisions to mitigate risks for the organisation.
• Manage projects within approved budgets, resources and timelines to get a financially viable product that meets market requirements.

Qualification requirements

• A 3-year tertiary qualification in Engineering, Marketing or Finance discipline
•  A formal qualification in Project Management.

Experience needed

• A minimum of 3 years’ project management experience from Product definition to End of product

Essentials

• The ability to prepare professional, comprehensive presentations for decision making at Board level.
• Knowledge and understanding of the automotive industry.
• Understanding of the product emergence process (PEP) and change management processes.
• High level of attention to detail and project management skills.
• Sound understanding of business processes.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to lead and motivate cross-divisional teams under pressure.
• The ability to analyse and solve complex problems.
• Good interpersonal skills (negotiation and communication)
• Microsoft Office (MS Excel/ MS PowerPoint/ MS Word) - Advanced
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to multinational groups

Added Advantage

• A formal qualification in project management.
• Marketing experience.
• German and Portuguese language proficiency.