30 October, 2018

NPI Deployment Manager At British American Tobacco

British American Tobacco is one of the world’s leading multinational companies, with brands sold in over 200 markets, made in 44 factories in 42 countries.

We are proud that we are consistently among the top 5 companies on the London Stock Exchange.

Our portfolio includes our world-famous Global Drive Brands – Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall and Rothmans – along with many other leading international brands, such as Vogue, Peter Stuyvesant and State Express 555.

Alongside our traditional tobacco business, we are also developing products that offer consumers potentially less risky alternatives to regular cigarettes. Our Next Generation Products are already leading the way in the Industry of vapour and tobacco heating devices. We continue to develop a solid portfolio of consumer solutions which already include well known global brands like Vype, glo and Voke.

Job Title:  NPI Deployment Manager

Job Number:  10066

Location: Lagos

Function: Operations

Level: Experienced Professional

Appointment Type: Permanent


British American Tobacco is looking for a new colleague to join us as a NPI (New Product Introduction) Manager in Nigeria.

Purpose Statement:
This management role is key in ensuring the effective and efficient execution of all growth, productivity & regulatory driven product changes in the supply chain and continued improvement in the NPI delivery process
To coordinate the execution of all New Product Introduction (NPI), Product Development (PD) and Product Modification (PM) initiatives within the Area Operations, in order to support the delivery of sustainable Growth, Productivity & Responsibility business objectives.
To ensure that new products or material changes are effected with minimal write off and delivered OTIF. Plan effectively for new materials and provide clear visibility of progress and deviations to management.
Ensure NPI projects are executed in accordance with the mandated Nexus process, Protocols, Decision Rights, O2 methodology and project deliverables are achieved in the most cost effective & efficient way possible, and in compliance with all relevant product, material and brand standards.
Report and drive NPI operational performance (such as NPI Delivery to Promise, project lead-times, impact on WMS \ FG inventory and write offs, development costs, etc).


Key Accountabilities:

Business Results:

  • Develop and manage team resources to ensure NPI projects are delivered in an efficient and effective manner, in accordance with business requirements of quality, cost and time
  • Produce timely and accurate information to enable well informed business decisions and an effective S&OP process.
  • Ensure that risks and exceptions within NPI projects are professionally managed through to resolution and, if necessary, are escalated in a timely manner
  • Support 100% OTIF delivery on all new launches and missiles.
  • Coordinate Phase-in & Phase out (PIPO) of new materials according to agreed time lines without significant impact on production and supply of finished goods.
  • Continuously review business processes and identify opportunities for improvement in business efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Implement all planned changes effectively and deliver within budget.
  • Manage the delivery of all activities within the New Product Introduction (NPI) process
  • Participate and contribute towards the monthly status meetings within the SNO NPI function calendar
  • Ensure there is no control break downs within the New Product Introduction (NPI) Deployment function.



People Results:

  • Embed continuous improvement culture in the NPI process - Drive a robust practice to ensures lessons learned from project or process failures are identified, shared, improvement plans developed and implemented
  • Participate effectively in all coaching and formal training programs
  • Effective participation in developing IDP and implementation of same as agreed with line manager.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to develop aligned plans & priorities, resolve NPI project issues and secure support to further strengthen the NPI capability.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Functional Experts, End Markets, Marketing, Source Factories, other BAT functions and Geographic Supply Chain Service Centres

Essential Requirements: 

  • B.Sc. or HND in Sciences or any relevant field.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience with more than 2 years of experience in Project Management.
  • Working knowledge with Microsoft Office (at experienced level).
  • Working knowledge of SAP Systems – TaO.
  • Very Strong Project Management Skills – Prince2/PMBok.
  • Understanding of Factory constraints and complexities.
  • Strong leadership skills and a proven track record stakeholder engagement and influencing skills to success in varied and challenging environments
  • Ability to think, act strategically and prioritise.
  • Ability to absorb complex and diverse issues within & outside of own function and able to contribute to the direction of BAT. Solid business acumen
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills - Ability to influence others (especially horizontally and upwards)
  • Ability to shape and drive initiatives to a conclusion
  • Flexibility and adaptability to change.
  • Good presentation skills.
How to Apply

Good Luck!!!