NPD Planning Supervisor
Description
WHAT YOU WILL DO
PURPOSE:
1. End-to-End NPD Project Leadership
• Lead NPD projects for Mentos, Chewing Gum and Candy from feasibility assessment through first shipment.
• Act as the primary project owner/contact point connecting Export Markets with R&D, Marketing, QA, Regulatory, Production, Procurement, Supply Chain, Packaging and other relevant functions.
• Establish project scope, timeline, milestones, RACI and critical path.
• Ensure delivery of the right product, design, quality, cost and timeline.
2. Feasibility, Risk & Business Assessment
• Lead cross-functional feasibility assessment for new product opportunities.
• Evaluate capacity, raw materials, packaging, MOQ, cost, lead time, regulatory and market-specific requirements.
• Identify project risks and critical issues early and drive mitigation/contingency actions.
• Support Go/No-Go decisions based on project feasibility.
3. Product Development & Launch Readiness
• Coordinate product development, trials, specifications, artwork/packaging and product approval.
• Ensure all regulatory, quality and product documentation are completed before first shipment.
• Coordinate production readiness and first commercial shipment.
• Drive fast-tracks NPD projects when required by business priorities.
4. Export Portfolio Management
• Manage phase-in / phase-out and product transition plans.
• Manage delisting, write-off, seasonal and on/off products.
• Identify opportunities to introduce VN NPDs into export markets.
• Maintain visibility of export portfolio changes and business impact.
5. Group & Factory Strategic Projects
• Lead implementation of Group and factory projects related to sustainability, production efficiency, procurement strategy, cost optimization, innovation, etc.
• Translate Group initiatives into actionable plans for Export business.
6. Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
• Monitor NPD KPIs, project aging, lead time, launch achievement and first shipment performance.
• Analyze root causes of delays and drive corrective actions.
• Standardize NPD processes, tools, templates and best practices.
• Drive initiatives to reduce NPD lead time and improve time-to-market.
7. Stakeholder Management & Communication
• Act as the key interface between Export Markets and internal functions.
• Prepare and maintain NPD reports, portfolio updates and RDQ sharing to provide monthly project status, risk and escalation updates timely to management.
• Facilitate decision-making among stakeholders when priorities or requirements conflict.
8. Compliance & PVM Standards: Ensure all NPD and portfolio activities comply with PVM procedures, quality standards, regulatory requirements and internal governance.
9. Leadership: Allocate workload according to projects priorities within EX NPD capability.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
- End-to-End NPD Project Leadership (Feasibility, Risk & Business Assessment | Product Development & Launch Readiness)
- Group & Factory Strategic Projects
- Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
- Export Portfolio Management
OUR PERFECT CANDIDATE
Education & Experience
• University degree in Economics / Business Administration
Specific Skills
• Cross-functional communication
• Project management
• Problem solving
• Good command of Business English (verbal & writing)
• Ownership
• Stakeholder management
• FMCG / NPD / Supply Chain understanding
Good-to-have
• Export experience
• Confectionery / food experience
• Regulatory knowledge
• Portfolio management