Innovation Project Manager

The Fresh Factory - Carol Stream, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Carol Stream, IL

Food Manufacturing

About the position

Our Innovation Project Manager will support the development of new business initiatives to deliver on the company's growth plan. This will include new product/business opportunities in food and beverage manufacturing. This position is a key link between supporting existing business and developing future manufacturing growth. The primary responsibility of this role is the management of the end-to-end commercialization process with the aim of bringing new products to market and launching new manufacturing lines successfully and efficiently. To be effective, this will require cross-functional coordination and working closely with Sales, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Quality and Finance. Furthermore, providing Sales support to drive the business forward. Reports directly to the VP of Commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all commercialization meets food safety and quality parameters.
• Manage the commercialization of new food and beverage product projects, as determined by management, on 7+ production lines.
• Manage the commercialization of new manufacturing lines launch and equipment installations, where applicable.
• Lead the Stage-Gate process for all assigned projects; lead teams through critical checkpoints, including analysis and prioritization of risks and opportunities.
• Coordinate project review team meetings ensuring input from all stakeholders to key approval and development decisions.
• Create a project plan for each approved project and coordinate all activities to ensure adherence to plan and visibility to status of each project.
• Serve as project lead and communicate project plans, schedule, and budget with all relevant departments including Sales, R&D, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Finance.
• Responsible for keeping the project pipeline up to date and communicating to the team, including status updates.
• Identify and escalate potential risks to timelines/success of commercialization efforts.
• Manage and prioritize competing priorities among various projects and stakeholders.
• Coordinate across all functions the development and input of all internal and external documentation, required to enable the product to be produced and sold.
• Responsible for change management and its execution.
• Manage the execution of required ERP setup to facilitate the Commercialization process through the R&D department and coordinate with all other setup across all functional areas.
• Coordinate with R&D, Supply Chain and Quality on new item and vendor approval and setup.
• Vet and determine the feasibility of new projects. Recommend go or no-go decisions.
• Act as liaison for internal customers (Sales, R&D, Finance, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Engineering) for day-to-day product activities and questions.
• Support the company's long-term strategic plans and priorities from the lens of commercialization process and new or existing capabilities.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent in experience
• 5+ years of relevant experience in Project Management or leading projects at an established company
• 2+ years of experience working at a food manufacturing company
• Prior experience running Stage Gate processes
• Prior experience with new product commercialization
• Prior experience with new manufacturing line launches or equipment installations a plus
• Strong organization skills and an ability to manage multiple high-priority projects at once
• Ownership mindset and consistent delivery on commitments
• A willingness to challenge our way of work to maximize our resources and enhance our success
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced, evolving business environment
• Good working knowledge in Microsoft excel and project management software
• Ability to work autonomously and seek guidance where necessary
• Ability to work under pressure and be comfortable with ambiguity
• A self-starter and self-motivated individual with a positive attitude and ability to operate and influence cross-functionally
• Must speak English; Spanish nice to have but not required

Nice-to-haves

• Spanish language skills

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package including: Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401k
• Great team and On-the-job training!