Mea Activity Management Head- Chocolate

The primary purpose of the role is:

- Co-pilot with Chocolate Marketing Director to lead the category needs in the S&OP+ Step 1 PMR. Focus on improving portfolio management including review market/brand performance, drive discussion to identify challenges, opportunities, risks and decision making to deliver business plan. Also to drive advanced planning, translate market plan to demand and long-term pipeline sufficiency to support the execution of Chocolate strategies.
- Lead a team of seven T2 and T1 activity managers to collectively manage the chocolates activities pipeline quality delivery, including new product innovation, renovation, BPI/LE and new promotion initiatives.
- Lead x-functional teams to ensure on time delivery of projects with desired top-line contribution, with efficient ATG connection.
- Continuously improve Activity Management process quality and execution excellence as a key functional expert.
- Fully leading activities for the biggest category, chocolate, including complex DS1+ projects for MEA.

**Responsibilities**:
Facilitate periodic chocolate PMR inputs and process:
Monitor and review chocolate PMR KPIs. Identify risks & opportunities to deliver business target, with identified gaps and defined action plans.

Manage future portfolio - new product master plan (innovation pipeline) management in line with business strategy (with at least 3 years rolling horizon, balanced to resources, prioritized, delivered on time and in full, via robust stage gate process and efficient project management). Decisions/recommendations on future portfolio/innovation pipeline, with agreed new product master plan, resource plan, activities prioritization, and gate decisions.

Own activity management performance tracking and review for the chocolate category (pipeline sufficiency, activity target delivery, QuEST/PPM compliance).

Drive process maturity towards the S&OP+ standards, with aligned actions and disciplined tracking.

Escalations/connections to other steps and global/regional PMRs if needed.

Lead a team of activity managers to:
Lead x-functional ATGs to ensure projects’ on time delivery.

Ensure activity management process compliance on QuEST and PPM.

Drive ATG and sub-ATG ways of working clarity and efficiency.

Track and monitor activity progress against agreed timeline and ensure that any issues/risks are identified early and actions to resolve are put in place.

Develop direct reports through PDP process.

Manage complex chocolate projects and cross-functional ATGs. This includes some transformational design projects where MEA is a lead market for GEM, and require high technical expertise, and ability to navigate complex challenges.

Drive activity management process continuous improvement:
Surface insights on ways of working effectiveness opportunities, including ATG & sub-ATG, and PMR.

Partner with team leader, drive activity management process CI annual plan.

**Experience and Competencies required to be successful in the role**:
Business acumen and perspective Process / Project management skills People / Team Management skills Organizational Agility Stakeholder Management

**MLC Supporting Competencies**:
Perspective

Business acumen

Dealing with ambiguity

Building effective teams

Developing direct reports

Standing alone

Process management

Decision Quality

Action Oriented / Drive for Results

Priority Setting /Planning

Directing & Motivating Others

Influencing

**Experience**:

- Minimum 10 years business management experience in a Blue Chip FMCG, with 5 years managerial experience
- Experience in large scale program management and managing/prioritizing complex projects
- Excellent knowledge of S&OP+ / Integrated Business Planning processes
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, strong business acumen, process management, experience in building effective teams, experience in leading change programs, expertise in continuous improvement
- Experienced and people manager with ability to lead, influence, operate and motivate
- Ability to make sound decisions with mínimal supervision
- Strong analytical capabilities coupled with the ability to identify issues, obtain mutual agreement as to the resolution and implement sustainable business change
- High degree of self-direction with ability for innovative ways to perform tasks effectively and efficiently
- Proactive, high energy, detailed-oriented, results-oriented and willing to initiate and nurture change