Managing Specialist role: overall responsibility for entire improvement programs. Managing Specialists will work closely with local Master Change Leader and local site leadership in the development and initial execution of the site improvement program. Managing Specialists ensure coaching of (senior) Specialists and Experts during their involvement in the site
improvement program. Managing Specialists proactively discuss potential issues as well as upcoming priorities with Leadership. Managing Specialists are expected to transition to management role outside central Progress Academy organization or Leadership role after completion of 2-3 improvement programs in their role as Managing Specialist.
Candidate is a high level manager with a good reputation and a minimum of 10 years work experience. A typical previous function is equivalent to either “head of a department” or “deputy”.
A Field Support Specialist is well structured and able to impose an efficient working mode in more complex environments.
Good social skills, experience and professional attitude allow him/her to open doors easily and allow him/her to find positive collaboration in various contexts. He/she enjoys an optimistic disposition and has a general belief in the potential for progress.
He/she is a strong and convincing communicator able to challenge while maintaining positive working conditions.
The main objective is to support the sites and the entire organization
through speeding up improvement initiatives and greater sustainability of changes through:
1. Establishment of Master Plans, comprehensive and ambitious improvement plans in line with business requirements
2. Improving the implementation of the Master Plans
3. Helping to converge towards standardised business processes
4. Contribute to the development of high level managers
This organisation acts as a network of internal consultants called Change Leaders.
The Progress Academy is composed of a central team and local Change Leaders for currently around 200 Change Leaders. The Central Progress Academy reports directly to a member of the Group Management Board.
The vast majority of Specialists and Change Leaders in the Progress Academy will come from current resources but there are also opportunities for key external recruits to help make a difference and enjoy an excellent career opportunity.
The Progress Academy is high profile within the business and has senior and top management commitment.
There will be broad career opportunities in senior line management after the Senior Change Leader role worldwide.
The right candidates should be in a position to look for alternative roles internally within approximately 3 years.
The role is focused on:
• Ensure overall program success/impact and identify new opportunities/priorities to be embedded in site overall master plan
• Foster networking between sites by identifying possible reapplication from other sites
• Create a comprehensive long term vision and ensure alignment with group / sector requirements
• Ensure implementation quality and sustainability
• Act as a sounding board for local site Management (CEO, Business Division (BD) CEO, FCE Management Committee (MC): site CEO = 3/5,000 FTE; BD = 10,000/30,000 FTE; FCE MC = 60,000 FTE)
Operationally this is translated as:
• Providing support to the team as requested, based on recognized knowledge (e.g. methodology expertise :lean / 6 sigma or functional expertise :supply chain, maintenance)
• Organising site diagnostics with site management and representatives
• Structuring the approach of the team to his/her area of expertise ; bringing in knowledge of benchmark figures, levers, best practices
• Application of optimised methodologies ensuring compliance with timing and targets
• Training and coaching appropriate local resources to drive the programs
• Resolving escalated issues (e.g., resources, social issues) and prioritising
• Codification of best practices
