Project Manager – R&D and Special Projects

Recruiter

Swift Human Resources

Job Ref

CEN001343/LK

Date posted

Friday, June 26, 2026

Location

Cape Town, South Africa

SUMMARY

The Opportunity & Mission

This role is designed for a dynamic, commercially-minded Project Manager to drive the operational execution and strategic scaling of clients Building Technologies. While initially anchoring the R&D and Prototyping phase for both South African and International markets, this is a highly cross-functional role. The successful candidate will act as the vital bridge between R&D, Structural Engineering, and Construction. Furthermore, the role requires building operational frameworks, driving value engineering, and managing international supply chains to ensure our products are globally competitive.

Note: As business needs evolve, this role retains the flexibility to manage critical projects across other company departments.

Qualifications & Skills

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in project management, ideally bridging engineering, construction, and/or manufacturing environments.

Hard Skills

• Strong financial acumen with proven experience in budget creation, product cost-pricing, and Value Engineering.
• Experience with international procurement, material sourcing, and import logistics.
• Formal project management certification is highly desirable.
• Proficient in PM software (MS Project, CCS etc.).

Soft Skills

• Adaptability: Highly flexible and capable of managing projects outside of a strict R&D scope.
• Strategic Problem-Solver: Resourceful in navigating the ambiguity of prototyping and international logistics.
• Proactive Communicator: Able to seamlessly connect the highly technical engineering/R&D teams with the practical, execution-focused construction teams.

Key Responsibilities

Cross-Functional Project & Program Management

• Lead and manage the full lifecycle of R&D and prototyping projects for both South African and International markets.
• Act as the primary integration point between the Structural Engineering team, the R&D department, Architecture, and the Construction division to ensure seamless product development and deployment.
• Develop integrated project plans, track progress against key milestones, and identify/mitigate risks across all assigned departmental projects.
• Remain flexible and available to take on "Special Projects" across other company departments as directed by senior management.

Commercial, Budgeting & Value Engineering

• Set up, monitor, and strictly manage comprehensive project and departmental budgets.
• Spearhead the pricing strategy for new products and prototypes, ensuring they are financially viable.
• Drive continuous Value Engineering (VE) initiatives alongside the engineering team to ensure the final Citra product is highly competitive in both local (SA) and international markets.

International Procurement & Material Sourcing

• Research, identify, and establish relationships with local and international suppliers for novel building materials.
• Manage the logistics, compliance, and cost-analysis of international imports required for R&D and prototyping.
• Oversee general procurement for the project teams, ensuring materials meet strict structural and engineering specifications.

Team Building & Operational Leadership

• Assist in building and structuring project teams tailored to specific R&D or construction initiatives.
• Serve as the central point of communication, translating complex technical and structural updates into clear, business-focused reports for senior leadership.
• Facilitate collaboration and hold multidisciplinary team members accountable for deadlines and deliverables.

POSITION INFO

Kindly apply if you meet the minimum requirements. Should you not hear back from us within 2 weeks consider your application as unsuccessful.