About us

The role

Location: Madrid

Job Grade: GG5

Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system is one cornerstone of Group Supply Chain Information Technology, integrating together PLM processes and data to protect our licence to operate and maximise agility and efficiency in our route to market.

The Head of COE PLM is responsible for defining and executing the PLM Information Technology strategy for the business, working closely with matrixed senior leadership across Group SC and other Imperial Brand functional areas involved in PLM value chain, Group IT and PLM service providers.

He/She is leading a team of PLM business process & system managers, specialists and business architects who are collaborating with Group IT and business stakeholders to convert identified business needs into optimized processes and new enabling system capabilities.

The team is focusing on 4 critical elements.

• Scaling the core PLM system to other product categories (MMC & NGP) worldwide, including integration to downstream systems and assurance to FDA Computer System Validation requirements.
• Driving further improvements on core PLM and integration into end to end Supply Chain, promoting and enabling continuous improvement and going beyond, creating a full product digital thread from innovation to delist.
• Safeguarding PLM system, leading strong governance on PLM system to ensure alignment of all parts of the integrated system towards the company strategy, identifying synergies between PLM modules to realise full PLM benefits.
• Enabling PLM transformation adoption by empowering end users and engaging actively with GIT to provide the right level of service to PLM community.

This position requires both a tactical and strategic approach to the PLM processes, data and system, without forgetting organisational change management as well as strong collaboration and teambuilding across multiple domains.

Key accountabilities

• Drive PLM vision across the business. Engage with senior leadership and Group IT to envision, develop and direct the PLM digital transformation strategy. Build a compelling 3-5 years roadmap of process/system improvements and chart a path to execute against that roadmap and vision.
• Finalize the development of the core PLM system with the deployment of specification and compliance modules (COMPASS project).
• In collaboration with GIT and ITGB, scale PLM system to NGP and MMC categories according to requirements, time and budget defined. Ensure maximized alignment of processes between all product categories and minimize complexity of system developments. Align business customers, service provider and GIT teams to deliver the value of PLM solution.
• Lead, engage and mentor the organization to create a culture of continuous improvement on PLM system. Support departments from concept to deployment of their continuous improvement demands or projects. Identify improvement opportunities, process solutions and propose projects responsive to business needs.
• Lead cross functional business PLM governance council. Ensure overall consistency of the PLM solution across the different modules, alignment with the PLM vision and delivery of expected benefits. Drive prioritisation of PLM projects to enable business objectives and key initiatives.
• Establish the end to end flow of product information, champion maintenance of the PLM processes. Identify gaps and spot opportunities to create value proposition and scale efficiencies between PLM modules.
• Ensure PLM integration with other Group SC systems and Innovation for a full End to End product digital thread.
• As Business Owner for PLM system in the Computer System Validation framework, be responsible for the validated state of the computerized system and accountable for ensuring that PLM system is fit for its intended use and applicable regulations.
• Support all aspects of organisational change management as the new PLM capabilities, ways of working and processes are introduced.
• Develop a strong / empowered user community, ensure adoption of PLM by establishing the right PLM training framework and support process.
• Determine PLM information and technology needs and actively engage with GIT on maintenance strategies and necessary IT operation excellence. Monitor customer satisfaction levels and assist as required to meet and exceed service level objective.
• Stay current with current industry PLM trends and technologies to keep ITG at the forefront of PLM.
• Supervise, organize, mentor and coach team members to drive key business results.

Skills & experience

Essential

• Collaboration, strong ability to establish positive working relationships across all functions and regions, strong communication skills
• Strategic thinking, analytical and problem solving skills
• Relevant experience in driving Organisational Change Management to adopt new systems, ways of working and processes
• Deep knowledge and understanding of PLM processes.
• Knowledge (or strong willingness to learn) of PLM system characteristics
• Customer service orientation
• Program / Project management experience in IT with large matrix teams

Desirable

• Knowledge in Computer System Validation (CSV) requirements, experience in system development lifecycle and regulated applications
• Experience in Agile developments methodology and backlog management

Whilst applications from all locations will be considered, please note that priority will be given to candidates who are based locally and possess the required skills and experience for the role.

What we offer

Next steps

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.