Product Development Manager at Lafarge Cement

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Development Manager contributes to LafargeHolcim's Accelerating Green Growth objective by assisting the Head of Product, Innovation & New Solutions in managing the local products & services portfolio. The Product Development Manager is key in  delivering superior value for our end-users / customers and to capture the highest possible value for the  business.

Demonstrates visible leadership and role modeling in Health & Safety (H&S) and Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). More specifically, promoting H&S and D&I actions/behaviors within the function will be key, as well as fostering their integration in all programs, activities and documents developed by the department.

MAIN ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The Product Development Manager is responsible for Product Range Development & Management of the LafargeHolcim global brands (ECOPlanet, ECOPact & Dynamax) and other Value Added Products (VAPs) across Cement, Concrete and Mortar is primarily responsible for:

• Creating and maintaining product and service culture in the Organization;
• Tracking and identifying opportunities of launching new products and services;
• Defining the roadmap of new products and services for a 2 to 3 years horizon;
• Tracking of the commercial / technical performance of the product and service portfolio towards  competitions and next best alternatives;
• Detecting the early signs (based on KPIs / external events) to renew / reposition existing  products & services;
• Deploying and maintaining the 5-Step Procedures and all related processes to manage the product & service portfolio;
• Challenging constructively the sales, marketing and logistics/industrial teams on product  and service topics;
• Proposing all initiatives or change management opportunities which could lead to better top line performance;
• Meeting Quality parameters/expectations of market/users and Research/ Development of construction solutions for Nigeria;
• Liaising with Government, Universities, technical institutions, associations, Standards Bureaus and other stakeholders on adoption, testing and development of Standards for Products & Applications, manuals and specifications to further cement/concrete applications;
• Developing new applications of cement & cement based products to grow the market in Road (rigid pavements/ paving blocks/ soil stabilization), Building & Industrial Sectors; and other specialty cements – Low Heat, Sulphate Resistant, Oil Well etc;
• Setting the agenda and organizing the Product Development Committee, ensuring involvement of all local and group stakeholders;
• Supporting the Mortar team in developing housing products & 3D solutions;
• Sorking with the quality team to manage the Construction Development Laboratory to support our customers and lead the Research & Development in the industry;

JOB DIMENSIONS

List of Direct Reports:

• Product Engineers

Key interfaces, stakeholders and relationships:

• Internal stakeholders: Colleagues in Marketing, Sales, Industrial, Concrete and other functions (finance, logistics, etc.)
• Group Innovation Centre
• External Stakeholders: Policy makers in Government (e.g. Ministries of Works, Housing, Energy, Finance, Industry, etc.) Regulatory bodies, Academic/ Research & other autonomous institutions.  Specifiers, Consultants, contractors and end users.

PROFILE REQUIRED

Education/ Qualifications

• Post Graduate in technical discipline (Civil Engineering or Manufacturing process related)

Experience

Specific Work experience:

• 5-8 years’ experience in production-quality and/or application of cement products.
• Experience in developing/ modifying product & service portfolios, interfacing with end-users and the industrial team.
• Sound knowledge of cement / concrete product composition, quality & performance parameters.

Knowledge & skills

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Knowledge of local and international building standards/ specifications and construction practices.
• Knowledge of product development & evaluation processes.
• Good analytical skills to analyze product quality and performance data and apply them to modify/ adapt to customer needs.

Behavioral competence:

• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work cross functionally and influence diverse stakeholders.

Leadership and managerial abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively internally & externally.
• Positive attitude with appetite for change and innovation.
• Ability to manage cross functional teams.