Innovation NPD Manager
Bayer AG
Total years of experience :10 years, 4 Months
Hamzeh manages the strategy and roll-out of scheduled medication, cosmetics and FMCG innovation for the Consumer Health division at Bayer, for Africa (15 countries) and the Middle East (13 countries).
Category experience: Nutritionals, Immune Support, Dermatology, Digestive Health, Allergy, Pain and Cough & Colds.
He is responsible for global-leading brands including: Clarityne, Berocca, Redoxon, Bepanthen and Rennie.
R&D / Innovation
Build and manage a robust new product/program process to maximize success and minimize risk associated with new R&D product launches and introductions into the market
Develop a new product/program portfolio strategy and pipeline to ensure Bayer has a sustainable innovation pipeline that gives it a competitive advantage to grow the future business and enter new categories and markets
Prioritize and stage the R&D initiatives opportunities based on impact potential and implementation feasibility (i.e. develop comprehensive business cases and analyses for all products/programs)
Develop a comprehensive plan through best practice project management principles, including identification of exit strategies, plans will include detailed milestones, budgets, customer impact, metrics and stakeholder plans
Lead all initiatives from identification and scoping, product development and commercialization to launch for all identified new product research initiatives.
Cross-functional management of global internal and external stakeholders, both internationally and locally, to ensure the R&D projects are delivered on time, in full and within budget
Consumer Insights & Market Research
Commissioning market research projects on both consumers and focus markets to gain understanding of unmet consumer needs and translating this into business proposals and innovation for the business
Conduct analysis on consumer sales datasets to extract key consumer insights in order to identify new product, program and initiative opportunities based on strategy and comprehensive analysis that will then be implemented into market launches
Business Analytics & Market Access
Responsible for the creation and reporting of business analytics and consumer insights for the South Africa Consumer Health Division (IRI, IQVIA, Euromonitor)
Responsible tor Middle East market access pricing applications with relevant Health Authorities.
Research & Development and Project Manager
4 direct reports - 2 NPD Technologists and 2 Assistant Project Managers.
Category experience includes: Baking, Milling, Beverages, Personal Care, Confectionary (Candy), Breakfast in South Africa's most iconic brands such as: Snowflake, Manhattan Sweets, Lil-Lets and Dove
Research & Development
Responsible for leading and managing all phases of technical product development from idea to commercialization. He evaluates technical viability of concept, manage product development, and successfully bring the concept to commercialization by partnering with suppliers, co-manufacturers, and internal teams.
Leads all technical development activities to scale up for commercialization, product launch, and post-launch monitoring including development of formula, technical label copy, products specifications, and quality criteria
Develops and implements the R&D strategy, plan and budget that will support a growth strategy through development of an innovation pipeline that ultimately positively impacts Net Sales and profitability
Managed 2 x pilot scale laboratories
Ensure all innovation or renovations optimise differentiation versus competitors and meet key quality, creativity, cost, timeline and commercial viability requirements of the company by leveraging in-depth understanding of the factory production process and capacity to optimise efficiencies and innovation.
Create and develop new products and rapid prototypes to ensure a sustainable pipeline of marketable food products through via global and industry related product trends and competitor innovation
Ensures compliance to quality standards and regulatory requirements in the food industry (ISO & FSSC 22000).
Provides specialist advise to the business relating to new products (e.g. formulations, technology, compliance etc.) by collaborating closely with leaders across functions in commercial, technical, and operations to bring to fruition innovation projects.
Responsible for production plants in terms of new production line and product as well as maintenance of existing production lines
Mentors and builds direct report capabilities to develop their technical skills around category development as well as help them develop key competencies such as business acumen, project management, creative thinking, problem solving, networking, influencing and presentation skills to instill a culture of teamwork and high performance
Project Management
As per Project Manager section
Premier FMCG
Project Manager - New Business
Management of the New Product Development Project Management Team, with two assistant project managers directly reporting into Hamzeh. He was responsible for executing projects within all categories in Premier (Snacks & Treats, Biscuits, Baking, Confectionary, Milling & Personal Hygiene).
Drive prioritisation of innovation projects to ensure alignment to the group strategy through stakeholder management.
Prioritise, coordinate and manage resource allocation for innovation projects and factory/production line upgrades, based on business impact and alignment to Premier’s business objectives, strategies and priorities in order to flawlessly execute projects from conception stage to feasibility and commercialisation.
Manage and lead complex and special projects that may include CAPEX, Joint Venture’s, new categories and geographical expansion to optimise Premier’s growth and performance.
Develop detailed project plans, scopes and objectives to track progress and drive delivery of key project milestones in the most efficient and effective manner; asses technical and commercial feasibility; perform risk management; and track ROI with regards to allocated resources and budget versus Margin, Net Sales or Cost Savings.
Manage and build direct reports in the team to capabilities to develop their R&D and technical skills around category development, as well as help them develop key competencies such as business acumen and soft skills; recruit the best talent in the industry to ensure high performance succession planning; performance management and mentoring.
During his time as Project Manager, Hamzeh spent substantial time dedicated to the baking division where he completed his South African Chamber of Baking Certification in technical & operational efficiency. He completed his management training (BMS) with Dyna and was awarded innovation project of the year award for 2017.
Hamzeh has successfully developed and implemented a tailored New Product Process based on PMP methodology for Premier as well as an online system based on MS Projects Online + SharePoint.
Product Development & Project Management
Bachelor of Science, Double major in Biochemistry & Cell Biology and Microbiology & Biotechnology