Project Manager at SC Johnson (SCJ)

Summary

• The Associate Manager, Project Management is responsible for delivering cross-functional projects across Nigeria and Ghana through the Development, Commercialization, Launch and Post Launch phases. This role guides project teams to ensure scope, deliverables, timing, risks and mitigation plans are clear and effectively executed. The position will manage multiple simultaneous projects and provide hands-on RD&E support for laboratory, trial and validation activities in Nigeria and Ghana. The role is expected to spend approximately 70–80% of time on project management and 20–30% on technical RD&E execution, depending on project and trial requirements.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Manage projects through the Development, Commercialization, Launch and Post Launch phases. Develop timelines, key milestones and risk/mitigation plans.
• Coordinate activities of cross-functional team members to deliver project commitments.
• Develop and manage detailed project schedules to meet launch commitments across countries within project scope.
• Manage projects according to SC Johnson processes and best practices.
• Ensure appropriate cross-functional subject matter experts are engaged to deliver key project activities and milestones.
• Provide project leadership within regional cross-functional teams to drive successful commercialization and launch.
• Track project progress against deliverables and milestones, communicate project status and escalate risks, breakdowns and issues as necessary.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, timelines, risk registers, issue logs and project close-out documentation.
• Manage project communication across team members, stakeholders, sponsors and leadership.
• Apply root cause analysis and problem-solving skills to identify and address factors impacting successful project delivery.
• Support technical feasibility and execution activities in collaboration with regional RD&E subject matter experts.
• Prepare laboratory formulations, bulk materials and product samples according to approved formulations and procedures.
• Conduct laboratory and product testing according to approved test methods and protocols.
• Prepare and coordinate samples required for internal and external testing and validation.
• Execute manufacturing, scale-up and validation trials in Nigeria and Ghana in collaboration with Formulation, Process and Packaging Engineering subject matter experts.
• Support manufacturing site, equipment, process and product validation and qualification activities.
• Support first production and commercialization activities where required.
• Capture trial conditions, process parameters, observations, results and deviations accurately.
• Support troubleshooting of formulation, process, packaging and manufacturing issues identified during technical trials.
• Provide technical results, data and observations to the relevant RD&E subject matter expert to support evaluation, conclusions and reporting.
• Maintain appropriate laboratory, trial and validation documentation to ensure data integrity and traceability.
• Demonstrate strong R&D functional skills including project management, scientific rigour, technical curiosity, risk management, quality, regulation and safety.
• Participate in the Project Management Community of Practice and contribute to continuous improvement of project management practices.

Required Skills / Experience / Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in project management, product development, manufacturing, process engineering, quality or commercialization within FMCG or a related industry.
• Demonstrated project management capability and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Practical experience working in a laboratory, manufacturing or production environment.
• Ability to prepare formulations, laboratory samples and development batches according to defined technical instructions.
• Experience supporting manufacturing trials, scale-up, process validation or product commercialization.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical capability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple functions, countries and organisational levels.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written.

Preferred Skills / Experience / Competencies

• Experience in Project Management within a manufacturing, product development or supply chain environment.
• Experience in new product development and commercialization of consumer products.
• Experience with formulation, processing, packaging or manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with product delivery systems such as aerosols, rigid plastics, flexible films, dispensing systems or other FMCG packaging formats.
• Experience supporting manufacturing site qualification, process validation and first production activities.
• Experience working with remote technical subject matter experts and executing technical work according to agreed protocols.
• Experience coordinating external laboratories, suppliers, vendors or consultants.
• Project Management certification is considered an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and influence cross-functional team members without direct authority.
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex and dynamic environment.
• High degree of initiative, adaptability and problem-solving capability.

Job Requirements

• Based in Nigeria.
• Travel within Nigeria and Ghana as required to support project, manufacturing trial and validation activities.
• Office, laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to safely perform hands-on laboratory and manufacturing activities.