ICT & Continuous Improvement Projects Specialist

Job Purpose: Responsible for driving operational excellence through the execution of key business projects and the implementation of continuous improvement initiatives. The role focuses on optimising Business processes, reducing waste, enhancing product quality and achieving cost-efficient targets through Lean/Six Sigma, Kaizen, Eagle Way program, SAP, QMS and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align projects with organisational KPIs.

Key Stakeholders: 

• Management team
• Cross-functional   teams

Core Responsibilities:

1. Project Management:

• Defining project objectives and scope through mapping out in detail the desired deliverables and expectations
• Developing project plans, required resources, timelines and budgets.
• Lead end-to-end execution of projects, including new product launches, equipment upgrades, facility renovations and expansion and digital projects.
• Identifying and implementing digital technologies to improve Business processes, e.g. automation, data analytics, IoT applications, etc.
• Engaging with stakeholders, including project teams, senior management and external vendors,   to ensure alignment and communication throughout the project’s lifecycle.
• Identifying, assessing and mitigating potential risks associated with projects to ensure successful completion
• Tracking project progress, analysing performance metrics and providing regular progress reports to stakeholders
• Identifying opportunities to optimise project management processes and contribute to the ongoing development of best practices within the organisation.
• Providing guidance and support to the project teams with project management good practices, tools and digital technologies.

2.  Continuous Improvement:

• Identify inefficiencies in operations processes through data analysis, Gemba walks and stakeholder engagements.
• Design and implement improvement initiatives through Lean/Six Sigma to improve OEE, reduce waste rate and improve workflows
• Spearhead root cause analysis (RCA) for major and repetitive breakdowns on plant and equipment.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement through training teams on lean tools, e.g. 5s, 5WHY, Eagle Way

3. Operational Excellence:

• Drive initiatives through data analytics to achieve sustainability goals, e.g. reducing energy consumption and increasing recycled material usage
• Support the drive Eagle way programme to achieve operational excellence through training and monitor utilisation of the EPMS system.
• Drive automation of Manual repetitive tasks and reports onto SAP to improve data accuracy and productivity
• To be a one-point stop Centre for resolving system-related issues (SAP, EPM, IoT, IT, etc.)
• Develop Power BI dashboards for online performance monitoring
• Work closely with the Quality Department to promote a process-based approach culture through QMS ISO 9001:2015 Implementation and monitoring
• Optimise project Inventory through JIT strategies and ABC analysis to improve inventory turnover
• Collaborate with the EHS committee to ensure project teams' compliance with safety standards
• Carry out quarterly/half-yearly audits/Evaluations on completed projects to ensure they are serving the intended purpose to meet the organisation's wider goals.

4. Stakeholder engagements:

• Present project updates and improvement benefits to the leadership team, highlighting ROI and alignment with strategic objectives
• Partner with R&D to integrate innovative technologies into manufacturing processes
• Mentor frontline supervisors and operators on problem-solving and data-driven decision-making
• Advice management regarding project impact and management

KPIs:

1.      Systems utilisation (SAP, EPMS, QMS & Eagle Way program) >90%

2.      Quarterly Systems Audits with 80% closure of audit findings

3.      On time project completion and within Budget

4.      100% JDI’s submissions per function with >80% Completion (Closure) rate

5.      Achieve 4 Business Kaizen projects with one commissioned per quarter

6.      Adherence to safety and quality standards: Zero (0) LTIs

Financial Management

• Monitor and ensure zero waste across the different projects and operation processes.
• Adherence to set budgets and project timelines by providing value for money

Risk Management

Identify the project risks and their various mitigations and keep track of them.

Compliance

• Ensure regulatory compliance in the execution of activities within Ugandan laws
• Adherence to all SIM packaging Solutions and in-country policies and Procedures.
• Prepare and submit performance reports timely manner.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Related Minimum Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, Business admin, Finance, ICT or any other related science discipline.
• Internal Quality Auditor certificate in QMS
• Knowledge in SAP, Power BI and CAD software
• Certificate in Lean Six Sigma
• Awareness in occupational health & safety

Minimum 2 years relevant experience in the FMCG Industry, preferably in the quality department.

Competencies Required:

Behavioural

     Must be of unquestionable integrity, Honesty, Trustworthiness and Professionalism

Leadership

• Must be a team player
• Must be self-driven and have an appreciation of business growth and priorities.
• Strong Leadership potential to effectively drive a business agenda and operational coordination of activities.

Knowledge.

• Advanced experience with MS Office
• Commercially astute with an understanding of key commercial drivers
• Knowledge in TPM, KAIZEN, QMS, MDWT, Six Sigma, SAP or any other operations excellence methodology.

Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Strong consumer and customer marketing/sales capabilities

Attributes include:

• Self-Starter & Action Oriented
• Ability to harness peer Relationships
• Agile and Driven
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving and good Communication Skills

Growth Potential:

• Successful candidate will be set up for cross-functional growth to Strategic Planning Specialist.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Occasional travels and overnight stays may be required
• Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment