Role Summary:
- A regional Executive Committee role, responsible for the management and direction of all R&D activity, developed for and distributed into the Asia Pacific region
- The Product Director is responsible for leading the regional R&D teams in the evolution and lifecycle management of regional products
- The R&D function comprises a number of R&D centres each led by a regional manager, responsible for the management and coordination of each of the people / teams involved in that region. The regional Product R&D Director is responsible for the development and coordination of these roles across all regional markets
- The regional R&D Director is responsible for the management, direction and coordination of R&D activities across all A-P markets
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Direction of local R&D Teams in their role of assisting in the definition of the A-P product roadmaps for Autoline and associated products
- Direction of local R&D Teams in the provision of local products in line with the A-P product roadmaps for Autoline and associated products
- Ensure that all local R&D groups comply with the standard roles, responsibilities and processes as defined within the DSI organization
- To report to DSI R&D VP on a regular basis, details regarding the current operation of the A-P R&D group. In particular, reporting upon the progress of individual projects, highlighting past successes / failures and providing forewarning of future risks, whatever they may be
- Work with and alongside other regional R&D Directors around the globe to ensure a common direction within DSI and to evolve the working practices of the R&D function
- Work within the A-P Executive Committee to ensure the delivery of R&D services to all local region Operations
- Provide thought leadership and knowledge transfer to ADP Associates on best practices across all areas of the R&D function
- Ensure that a perpetual product enhancement review is maintained in conjunction with regional Product Marketing management and regional Country Managers. Perform the role of Senior Supplier on all local R&D projects within the guidelines and processes of the Product Development Life Cycle
- Ensure that the validation and quality assurance of all new and enhanced product functionality, is performed to the agreed DSI standards
- Ensure that standard documentation, that is the responsibility of R&D function to produce, is performed to the agreed DSI standards
- Attend and support any regional pre and post-sales customer and/or franchise meetings that may be required
Job Function Competencies:
- Maintain a good understanding of the business and process requirements of the retail and wholesale automotive industry for which we provide IT solutions. Developing a Product best practice approach to all communications
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of the product functionality for the products adopted in the China market
Project Leadership:
- Proper utilisation of the ADP standard project management systems in order to assist in the management of R&D projects to agreed deliverable dates and standards
- Joint leadership of the A-P Product Planning Forum in its formation of decisions with regard resource utilisation and project prioritisation
Experience and/or Qualifications Required:
- A minimum of 5 years senior management experience within a Software development or Product Management position
- A detailed knowledge of the working and business practices of within the Automotive OEM or the Dealership environment
- A very good working knowledge of the retail and wholesale automotive distribution
process
- An detailed understanding of common Project Management techniques
- A full understanding of current MS management applications (such as Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Project etc..)
- A good understanding of current and future operating systems (UNIX, MS
Windows etc.)
- A broad experience of Product Lifecycle management, from the initial market needs analysis, through to the delivery to market of the finished products / service
- Line Management experience of running a large, distributed team working to tight deadlines
Personal Skills Required:
- Ability to plan strategically, logistically and financially
- Ability to empathise and negotiate with stakeholders and customers
- Strong written, verbal and presentational skills
- Ability to build and foster team work across multiple departments
- Team leadership (within a formal team structure or a virtual team structure)
- To assist, guide and coach other Managers and Business Analysts involved in the product development arena where required and as appropriate
- To manage the contribution of other key players in the management of the R&D projects, especially in the area of R&D and Country Operations (support/consultancy)
Communication:
- The ability to communicate effectively to internal and external audiences using a range of tools, product presentations, written documents, email and verbal explanations
Customer Focus:
- To develop an empathy and an understanding for the requirements of our Customer’s business needs (Dealer and OEM)
Problem Solving & Decision making:
- The ability to resolve priorities using own judgement and with the consultation of regional Operations Managers and other Senior Managers
Working under pressure:
- The ability to manage and prioritise many projects at any one time with, or without, the guidance of the DSI R&D VP
Attitude & Behaviour:
- To represent ADP in a professional manner when dealing with all internal and external parties of all levels
- To develop and motivate Associates from all levels of the Business to perform to their highest ability
Flexibility Statement
The fast moving nature of the company’s business also means that you will on regular occasions be asked to perform roles outside your original job description. This allows the company to utilise its people in the best possible way at all times and to help employees make their contribution to a changing environment.
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