At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead NPD projects, manage risks, and guide your team to success.
- Company: Join Kao, a global leader in health and beauty with a commitment to quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative work culture, career development opportunities, and a focus on ethical practices.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while working on innovative products that respect the planet.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree, project management experience, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role until October 2026, perfect for those seeking impactful project management experience.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The role:
This position is a fixed term position until the end of October 2026
Responsible for overseeing a designated portion of the NPD project portfolio, proactively identifying and escalating risks or issues that may affect cost, timeline, or scope. Provides support, guidance, and development to direct reports to ensure team objectives are met, while advocating for excellence in project delivery processes.
What you will do:
- Portfolio Delivery:
- To ensure direction is clear for all projects within the agreed portfolio and dependencies are managed.
- Work closely with cross functional team leaders to resolve issues and mitigate risks when they arise.
- Manage Projects:
- To ensure delivery of individual and direct reports projects on time and within scope/cost parameters by leading cross functional teams through each phase and ensuring all activities are completed as required.
- Project Delivery Process:
- To champion the NPD stage and gate delivery process through educating and mentoring stakeholders and identifying, initiating and implementing improvement initiatives.
- Provide effective management of direct report and offer support to the broader team as needed.
What you will need:
- Bachelor\’s degree or equivalent professional qualification
- Preferable; recognised project management certification (e.g., PRINCE2 or equivalent)
- 3–5 years of proven project management and line management experience with retail products, preferably in the health and beauty sector.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels
- Strong influencing and negotiation abilities
- Excellent organisational and time management skills
- In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices
- Highly adaptable, with the ability to thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and manage ambiguity
- Strong analytical mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving and delivering practical solutions
Molton Brown is part of Kao founded in Japan in 1887, Kao is passionate about making a difference in people\’s lives with our high-quality products and services to create a Kirei Life for all – a beautiful life that respects the needs of our consumers and customers as well as the planet. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation and treating each other with trust and respect.
How we work: Having been selected among the World\’s Most Ethical Companies for 18 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.
Hiring Process: Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.
Want to learn more:If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/
https://www.kao.com/emea/en/privacy/ #J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Npd Project Manager - 16 Month FTC employer: Kao
Contact Detail:
Kao Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Npd Project Manager - 16 Month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the NPD stage and gate delivery process. Understanding this framework will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your proactive approach to project management.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the health and beauty sector. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into current trends and challenges, making you a more informed candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed cross-functional teams in the past. Highlighting your leadership skills and ability to resolve conflicts will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Kao's corporate philosophy and values. Aligning your personal values with theirs during discussions can show that you're a great cultural fit for the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Npd Project Manager - 16 Month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in project management, particularly in the health and beauty sector. Emphasise your skills in managing cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed projects in the past, and how your values align with Kao's corporate philosophy.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your educational background and any project management certifications you hold, such as PRINCE2. This will demonstrate your qualifications and commitment to the field.
Showcase Soft Skills: Given the importance of interpersonal and communication skills in this role, provide examples of how you've effectively engaged stakeholders and resolved conflicts in previous projects. This will help illustrate your fit for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kao
✨Understand the NPD Process
Familiarise yourself with the New Product Development (NPD) stage and gate process. Be prepared to discuss how you have championed this in previous roles, as it will demonstrate your expertise and alignment with the company's focus on project delivery.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional teams and mentoring direct reports. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects, resolved conflicts, and motivated your team to meet objectives.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since exceptional interpersonal skills are crucial, think of instances where you've effectively engaged stakeholders at various levels. Be ready to discuss your influencing and negotiation strategies, especially in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
With a strong analytical mindset being essential, prepare to share specific examples of how you've proactively identified risks and implemented practical solutions in past projects. This will showcase your ability to thrive in dynamic environments.