Project Manager - Speed to Market

$87,774 - $131,662/Yr

Rich Products Corporation - Buffalo, NY

Full-time - Mid Level

Buffalo, NY

51-100 employees

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Project Manager in Speed to Market (STM) will oversee a complex portfolio of projects focused on product innovation, network optimization, risk mitigation, product maintenance, acquisition integration, and cost savings. This role requires in-office collaboration in Buffalo, NY, from Tuesday to Thursday, and involves working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve project objectives and contribute to innovation sales and cost savings targets.

Responsibilities

• Partner with category STM Project Managers and Marketing Product Managers to execute the New Product project portfolio.
• Blend traditional project management principles with STM process best practices to achieve business objectives.
• Lead large cross-functional teams to successful execution of project objectives while achieving target metrics and KPIs.
• Drive accountability of team members using the STM RACI chart.
• Lead projects through Gate Approval recommendations based on changes to resources, timing, scope, or financials.
• Identify project risks and develop contingency plans with recommended solutions.
• Support CBU Business Leader(s) in managing customer expectations for project deliverables and stakeholder communications.
• Advocate for project team members, including capacity discussions and action item accountability.
• Ensure project data accuracy in Accolade and SharePoint, and utilize PowerBI for managing current portfolio projects and related KPIs.
• Serve as a backup for Project Managers within STM as needed.
• Function as the single point of contact for assigned strategic category, supplying portfolio management expertise and recommendations.
• Connect category strategy to current STM portfolio and provide project execution updates to CBU leadership.
• Review incoming project requests, validate project type, and ensure proper triage/kick-off execution.
• Assess, prioritize, and assign non-project activity for execution without interrupting STM projects.
• Manage Open, Hold, and WTC project statuses to ensure validity and accuracy of project details.
• Lead portfolio review meetings with business leads and CBU Leader, facilitating project discussion and prioritization.
• Manage and partner with STM team to assess assigned category NWT resource capacity and develop corrective action plans.
• Become a Subject Matter Expert in STM process and category proficiency to support project execution excellence.
• Serve as STM process champion, supporting continuous improvement and documenting new processes.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and coaching to category APM and STM Coordinator.
• Train and coach cross-functional NWT project team members to build STM process execution excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field with 5+ years of general business and/or marketing experience; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 3 years project management experience managing complex, strategic projects.
• Experience with New Product Development principles and Stage Gate Process.
• Demonstrated cross-functional team leadership in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills including mentoring, coaching, and collaborating.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to excel in a rapidly changing environment with project ambiguity and shifting priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to anticipate issues and recommend resolutions.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including oral and written capabilities, interacting with all levels of management.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Excel, One Note, Word, PowerPoint, Teams.
• Proficient in SAP & SharePoint; PLM experience is a plus.
• Experience with project management tools and/or software (Accolade).

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the food industry or related sectors.
• Familiarity with Agile project management methodologies.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health & financial benefits
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Family planning support
• Flexible work policy
• Associate resource groups
• Volunteering & community impact opportunities
• Holiday gatherings
• In-house taste tests.