Senior Project Manager (R&D) – Food Innovation & Product Development

On-Site role

Job Description:

• WORK LOCATION: Solon, Ohio
• WORK SCHEDULE: FT M-F 8am to 5pm

JOB SUMMARY:

• We’re looking for a Senior Specialist – Project Manager to join the client Food PMO team in NDC Solon.
• In this position, you will lead several R&D projects / programs within client Food, with a focus on Top Priority Innovation and Renovation Projects across our Frozen Foods businesses (Meals, Pizza and Snacking)
• you will plan projects End-to-End, ensuring alignment with Idea-to-Launch (I2L), and key corporate strategies and commitments
• you will orchestrate a cross-functional and multi-disciplinary team (R&D, SBU, Zone, Markets) to achieve the project defined Key Success Criteria and deliver against the business case.
• Managing project stakeholders, negotiating with key decision makers and leveraging with internal and external networks will be essential for your success.
• Reporting to NPTC Project Management Office Lead, this is a key role to ensure projects are delivered according to key performance criteria and to the satisfaction of key stakeholders.
• The position requires strong project management/leadership, communication, organization, and presentation skills.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Project Management/Leadership:  

• Contribute to the future commercial success of the business by considering the whole picture of the project (E2E), and by considering Good for You and CSV strategies and commitments.
• Responsible for Project Management of cross- functional teams of marketing, quality assurance, engineering, product development, etc… promoting a team-building atmosphere for efficient, effective and flawless execution of the projects along the entire flow.
• Must be able to communicate project status using excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills.  
• Effectively control scope changes through proactive and open communication with stakeholders.
• Must have the ability to manage parallel and sequential project tasks, to identify and communicate project costs and accelerated timing opportunities and risks.
• Must be able to generate and record effectively new knowledge.

People and Resource Management:  

• Define roles and responsibilities required for the project.
• Effective resource planning.
• Ensure the resources are available for the project as required.
• Create project team spirit to deliver high quality results on time, on cost and on quality.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Manage project stakeholders, negotiate with client decision makers and business partners internally and externally.
• Vertical and horizontal communication.
• Ability to simplify complex information into simple concepts.
• Create synergies through effective networking with all relevant R&D Units, business partners, markets, SBUs, Head Office and external partners.

Coaching and Sharing:

• Facilitate and coach within the project team and enhance the interaction and collaboration between the various specialists within the client and across R&D Units, Technical and Business Units and with external partners.
• Develop junior project manager capabilities in project management through regular coaching.

REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL:

• Minimum of Bachelor in Science or Engineering Degree (or equivalent), with a sound knowledge of Project Management.

EXPERIENCE:

• >5 years of Project Management experience, preferably in R&D and/or Food & Beverages company.
• >7 years of experience in R&D, Operations, Markets and/or commercial functions.
• Proven track record of strong Project Management.
• Project Management Professional (PMP/PMI) certification is a plus.

About us:
At our organization, we take our mission and values to heart! We are on a mission to offer more and better jobs all over the world! Our goal is to care for you while you care for our clients and get you paid the highest pay possible. All our associates working with us are expected to embrace our RACE values: R - Results Matter, A- Approachable, C - Care, and E - Emergency i.e. work with a sense of urgency.

For more relevant job opportunities please visit our website: Denken Solutions Careers