Client Project Executive
MMR Research Worldwide LTD, South Africa
Job Description
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially driven project executive to work for a ground-breaking agency shaping the future of food and beverage innovation.
This role is based in South Africa, working directly with the KICR team in the UK, who service global innovation projects. The office in South Africa has a medium sized team of colleagues working across the MMR Group, including other KICR colleagues.
KICR is an innovation agency, an exciting joint venture between FIS Group (Culinary concept and product development) and MMR Group (Global Consumer and Sensory research).
KICR blends culinary creativity (the ability to make amazing products ourselves), with consumer input (placing customers at the heart of innovation) and a strong commercial edge (to ensure what we help create succeeds in market). We’re seeing success with clients of all sizes, from start-ups to the world’s biggest corporates. We’re breaking down innovation barriers and internal silos, opening-up new sector opportunities and bringing a truly agile, creative and inspiring approach to NPD. It’s creativity with a commercial core!
Your primary responsibility is to work with client project managers in the day to day running of projects for key KICR blue chip client ad-hoc projects to ensure a smooth process and excellent client service.
The role will include:
Supporting and assisting in the delivery of key projects to scope, time and budget:
- Taking on confirmed projects from KICR and liaising with project manager to scope frame and manage the project from kick off to conclusion
- Being a first port of call for internal KICR / family teams in the day-to-day project requirements / questions
- Supporting in the drafting / creation of required project documents kick of meeting presentations, write ups of ideas / session documents, consumer recruitment briefings / questionnaires, project invoicing
- Following a project management framework on Monday.com and using tech effectively to streamline efficiencies and the output of reporting against CSFs (Critical Success Factors) during and post project
- Researching trends / ingredients / example products to support in project kick off
- Attending ideation sessions to manage technology and document outcomes
- Setting up projects from templates in Monday.com ensuring accuracy of information
- Setting up project folders and keeping these organised and up to date throughout the project
- Liaising with suppliers on project timings / requirements, raising PO’s and managing invoices
- Managing project logistics such as booking meetings, arranging couriers, tracking shipments etc.
Priority 2 Supporting KICR success, best practice and continuous improvement
- Sharing best practice and KICR success stories
- Contributing to content marketing activities of the KICR Innovation commercial team
- Identifying possible improvements to client touchpoints amp; KICR processes
Key Relationships:
- You will report to a Client Project manager at KICR
- You will have strong working relationships with all KICR team
- You will work closely with the respective colleagues from across the family businesses when developing project plans and delivering projects day to day.
Requirements
So, what about you?
You will be a recent graduate with 1 or 2 years’ experience who loves what they do and is passionate about what we do!
You will be a great team player and flexible in your thinking and delivery.
You will have a challenger mindset, be grounded and have an interest in food and beverage innovation that clients will connect with and respond to.
Alongside demonstrable experience in a similar role ideally within a consulting or research agency we would look for you to display the following:
Strengths / Skills
- FMCG experience / knowledge either as agency or client side
- ‘Can Do’ attitude
- Enjoy working flexibly and adapting when things change
- Understanding of the basics of market research
- Understand what effective project management frameworks
- Understand and be used to using project management technology to support the smooth running of each project e.g. Monday.com
- Highly organised
- Strong self-management skill set
- Great communication skills
- Collaborative and good at working with multiple departments/stakeholders
- Passion for Innovation and project processes
- Natural curiosity and desire to constantly learn and develop oneself