Senior Project Manager - Research and Innovation (R&I)

ppOur client AFA is looking for a Senior Project Manager – Research Innovation (RI) to facilitate and coordinate complex, multidisciplinary product innovation projects. bBased in Eindhoven, the Netherlands /b and reporting to the Director RI, this is a senior role for an experienced project professional who can bring structure, alignment and momentum to projects involving multiple disciplines and stakeholders. /p pAFA is an international company specializing in innovative systems and devices. Research Innovation (RI) plays an important role in developing new products that respond to evolving customer and market needs. /p pThe Senior Project Manager will work across RI, Engineering, Design, Operations and commercial stakeholders, ensuring that projects progress effectively from ideation through development, validation and scale-up. The role is focused on facilitating successful project execution rather than directly managing functional teams. /p pThe ideal candidate combines strong project management skills with a practical, collaborative mindset. You are comfortable working in an environment where projects are complex, priorities can evolve and successful outcomes depend on bringing different disciplines together. /p h3Responsibilities /h3 ulliFacilitate and coordinate multidisciplinary product innovation projects from ideation through development, validation and scale-up within the RI organization. /liliEstablish clear project objectives, milestones, deliverables, responsibilities and timelines in alignment with the Director RI and relevant stakeholders. /liliCreate structure and transparency across projects, ensuring that actions, decisions, dependencies and risks are clearly identified and followed up. /liliAct as a facilitator across RI, Engineering, Design, Operations and commercial stakeholders, ensuring effective collaboration and alignment throughout the project. /liliDrive project execution and maintain momentum, proactively identifying issues, resolving obstacles and escalating matter when required. /liliManage project scope, timelines, budgets, resources, risks and dependencies. /liliCoordinate project meetings, workshops, decision-making processes and follow-up actions, ensuring that stakeholders remain aligned. /liliChallenge assumptions and facilitate fact-based decisions when projects encounter technical, commercial or organizational challenges. /liliKeep projects focused on developing products that are viable, feasible and desirable, with a clear connection to customer and business needs. /liliCoordinate external stakeholders such as suppliers, development partners and other relevant parties when required. /liliSupport the evaluation and prioritization of project opportunities by providing clear project information, status updates and recommendations to the Director RI. /liliProvide clear and timely project reporting, highlighting progress, risks, dependencies, issues and decisions required. /liliCoordinate IP-related activities within assigned projects in collaboration with the relevant internal and external stakeholders. /liliEnsure that validated RI projects are sufficiently prepared for the transition to the next phase and provide a clear handover to the Operations organization. /liliContribute to the continuous improvement of AFA’s project management and innovation processes and ways of working. /li /ul h3Profile /h3 pYou are an experienced project manager who enjoys bringing people, information and activities together to achieve a common outcome. You are structured and organized, but also pragmatic and comfortable operating in an environment where not everything is defined upfront. You have the communication skills to work effectively with technical specialists, product developers, designers, business stakeholders and senior management. /p pYou bring: /p ulliA bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, product development, innovation management or related discipline. /lili8+ years of relevant professional experience, including significant experience managing complex, multidisciplinary projects. /liliA proven track record in product development, innovation, new product development or a related environment. /liliExperience in personal care, packaging, consumer products or another relevant product-oriented industry is preferred. /liliExperience working in an international organization with multiple disciplines and stakeholders. /liliStrong project management capabilities, including planning, prioritization, risk management, budgeting, dependency management and reporting. /liliA strong ability to facilitate collaboration and create alignment without having direct managerial responsibility for the people involved. /liliA pragmatic, hands‑on approach and the ability to move projects forward and turn ambiguity into clear actions. /liliStrong organizational and analytical skills, with attention to detail without losing sight of the overall project objectives. /liliStrong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to interact confidently at different organizational levels. /liliA customer- and business-oriented mindset, with an understanding of what makes a new product viable, feasible and desirable. /liliThe ability to identify issues early, challenge constructively and drive decisions and follow-up. /liliA high degree of ownership, initiative and accountability. /liliWillingness to travel occasionally to AFA locations, suppliers, development partners and/or customers. /li /ul /p #J-18808-Ljbffr