Production Transition Manager - Orthopaedic & Prosthetic Production Components

Geneva

Organization: ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross
Location: Geneva
Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Public Health and Health Service
- Medical Doctor
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

Since 1979 ICRC through its Physical Rehabilitation program is helping to restore people with disabilities dignity, by enabling them to regain their mobility and play an active role in the society.

In its early days of its limb-fitting and rehabilitation work the ICRC used raw materials and machinery from established Western suppliers to produce prosthetic and orthotic components. However, it soon started developing a new lost, high quality technology using polypropylene as the basic material in order to reduce the financial burden of providing rehabilitation.

While in the beginning this was done in a decentralized way, the ICRC after a careful evaluation in 1998, decided to centralize the production in order to increase the quality and to make this new technology available to other humanitarian organizations.

After 20 years of collaboration with its current business partner ICRC wants to start a new business model.

The Physical Rehabilitation Program (part of ICRC’s Assistance Division) is looking for a person to manage the phasing out form its current to a new business operating model as part of its normal operations.

This will encompass the transfer of activities around the development, production and manufacturing of orthopaedic & prosthetic components from an existing to a new Business Partner. This transition will be managed in close collaboration with the management team of the new partner – through tight accompanying around the ramp-up of manufacturing, supply-chain and potential other capabilities (commercialization, product development and R&D), as needed to ensure the smooth transition of a pre-defined catalogue of products and potentially machinery until December 2019, in line with existing quality standards.
The Transition Manager will be responsible for managing these changes, and supporting the work of the Steering Committee to achieve the project’s objectives.

The Transition Manager will report to the Head of the Physical Rehabilitation program, who acts as owner of the transition. The Transition Manager will work seamlessly and progressively with the Managing Director of the new production partner. In parallel, he/she will have regular interaction with the Managing Director of the incumbent during the gradual ramp-down & transfer of manufacturing activities over the same period, with a focus on mitigating financial / legal and reputational risk throughout the “Exit” Phase. The Head of the Health Unit acts as the sponsor of the project.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

Towards the ICRC

On the basis of the recommendations made during a prior market & business analysis, work with the Steering Committee to define the exact scope of the transition and organize related work accordingly, with clearly defined expected benefits, deliverables, indicators of success, change management, risk management, and work plans.
Establish a sound transition plan, encompassing a communication / change and risk-mitigation strategy, targeted both towards the new and existing production partner(s), as well as other external stakeholders (NGOs) and ICRC-internally.
Report to the Steering Committee on all project and change management activities necessary to achieve the project’s objectives
Maintain a view over project progress and risk-monitoring throughout the transition phase
Ensure that any changes in scope, time or budget are validated by the Steering Committee
In close collaboration with Corporate Logistics, find alternative providers for products that will no longer be produced at production site

On the basis of the recommendations made during a prior market & business analysis, work with the Steering Committee to define the exact scope of the transition and organize related work accordingly, with clearly defined expected benefits, deliverables, indicators of success, change management, risk management, and work plans.
Establish a sound transition plan, encompassing a communication / change and risk-mitigation strategy, targeted both towards the new and existing production partner(s), as well as other external stakeholders (NGOs) and ICRC-internally.
Report to the Steering Committee on all project and change management activities necessary to achieve the project’s objectives
Maintain a view over project progress and risk-monitoring throughout the transition phase
Ensure that any changes in scope, time or budget are validated by the Steering Committee
In close collaboration with Corporate Logistics, find alternative providers for products that will no longer be produced at production site

Towards the new production partner

Put together and manage a transition team (staffed with resources from the new production partner) tasked with the execution of the transition activities.
Assist in the implementation of the new business model between ICRC and the new business partner – in doing so, negotiate the terms of the commercial / legal arrangements, for subsequent formalization in a detailed Service Level Agreement (including investment / business plan) between the ICRC and the new production partner.
Provide direct practical on-site support and management / manufacturing expertise (as well as supervision) to the new business partner in the expansion and ramp-up of component-production capabilities (based on the present product catalogue).
Work closely with the management team in the build-up of a supply-chain network for the provision of raw- & semi-materials, as well as potentially production equipment and moulds (the latter Swiss-based), to ensure seamless sourcing from the outset.
Ensure full operational autonomy in regards to supply chain, storage/inventory management, production etc
Ensure effectiveness of internal control system, test-lab procedures, as well as continued & exhaustive coverage of ISO-certification
Ensure exhaustive transfer of component designs
Organize new designs of all components in use
Build the organizational foundation for the development, industrialization and commercialization of new products (partly protected by IP-rights owned by the ICRC).
Arrange logistics procedures towards the ICRC as well as NGOs – assess the opportunity to explore export opportunities
Assist in the creation of a product catalogue on the company's website

Put together and manage a transition team (staffed with resources from the new production partner) tasked with the execution of the transition activities.
Assist in the implementation of the new business model between ICRC and the new business partner – in doing so, negotiate the terms of the commercial / legal arrangements, for subsequent formalization in a detailed Service Level Agreement (including investment / business plan) between the ICRC and the new production partner.
Provide direct practical on-site support and management / manufacturing expertise (as well as supervision) to the new business partner in the expansion and ramp-up of component-production capabilities (based on the present product catalogue).
Work closely with the management team in the build-up of a supply-chain network for the provision of raw- & semi-materials, as well as potentially production equipment and moulds (the latter Swiss-based), to ensure seamless sourcing from the outset.
Ensure full operational autonomy in regards to supply chain, storage/inventory management, production etc
Ensure effectiveness of internal control system, test-lab procedures, as well as continued & exhaustive coverage of ISO-certification
Ensure exhaustive transfer of component designs
Organize new designs of all components in use
Build the organizational foundation for the development, industrialization and commercialization of new products (partly protected by IP-rights owned by the ICRC).
Arrange logistics procedures towards the ICRC as well as NGOs – assess the opportunity to explore export opportunities
Assist in the creation of a product catalogue on the company's website

• Towards the incumbent

Organize the ramp down at current production site
Organize transfer of machine park from current to new supplier
First-level engagement in the resolution of disputes that arise, with escalation to the project owner and steering committee.

People management responsibilities

Certifications / Education required

Bachelor's degree/M.S.C science & engineering
Project management training a must.
Prosci practitioner certification an asset.
Fluent command of English and French (English essential).
Computer proficiency.

Professional Experience required

8–12 years’ professional experience.
Minimum 3 years’ experience in successful project management.
Financial management experience (budgeting and resource allocation)
Experience in starting production lines of metal and plastic components
Experience in plastic and metal component development
Experience in developing professional standards in component production
Proven experience in technical advisory work

Desired profile and skills

Solid management experience in the manufacturing environment, preferably in the orthopaedic or medtech sector
Exposure to general management / entrepreneurial issues, ideally in business transition / integration contexts.
Trouble-shooter with excellent interpersonal & communication skills and proven capacity to work independently and efficiently to timelines and plans.
Capacity to multi-task, also under adverse circumstances.

Additional information