The Project Manager will be responsible for ensuring successful launch of a strategic customer in the Midwest territory to include introducing new product SKUs within the companies facility. This role interfaces internally 80% of the time but externally 20% of the time as it relates to managing the customer and other regional team members expectations. It blends operations management with project management, product management and customer service, so the ideal candidate has a passion for learning the details of the products, orchestrating activity across all of our internal teams (warehouse, production, culinary, procurement, planning and transportation) and is able to develop attainable launch plans, timelines, check for quality deliverables and drive the team to a successful launch. The project managers are the face and main point of contact for the plant for national account team members and customers. The expectation of the PM is to become intimately knowledgeable about the customer and product set. The project manager should have a working knowledge of the plant from when an order comes into our system to when the product is delivered to the customer. Your responsibly is to be able to answer any question related to that customer and it’s set of items.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead TFIL as the primary point of contact for the customer and national sales manager(s); manage expectations for dates and key activities such as customer audits, test-runs and 3rd party vendor info; demonstrate a high level of confidence and quality in all communications.

Drive the team for results while balancing the inherent risks/conflicts of any complex project by applying interpersonal savvy in everything that they do.

Learn and also help educate everyone on the product specification, ingredients and all customer standards; Ensure that changes to product specs are communicated across the team and test for understanding by all functions.

Schedule and hold feasibility meetings between cross functional team members and present high level details on the scope of the project so team members can weigh in on any challenges and opportunities.

Prepare high level project trackers with key activities and drill down into a detailed list of activities with dates, deliverables, and ownership.

Define the project team participants, meeting structures, knowledge sharing site, communication plan and other tools needed for successful project team management.

Ensure strong communication within each function but also across the team to ensure right information is given to the right people at the right time.

Escalate gaps or risks associated with readiness and ensure risks are managed through risk matrices and communication with leadership.

Manage functional progress through regular status updates and hold team members accountable for delivering high quality work product that is shared with other stakeholders.

Provide weekly status reports to Senior Leadership team, including TFIL President.

Works closely with cost accountant to ensure product pricing and cost information is provided to the financial controller as well as others who shape the P&L. Assist with pricing workbooks as needed.

Review deliverables from the team such as production planning documents, bill of materials, pricing sheets, equipment lists, staffing analysis, etc.; assist with creation of any documents as needed in order to keep project moving.

Coordinate new project production pilots in collaboration with the commercialization team to ensure 100% readiness for the day of event. Work with procurement team to order new ingredients are in house and on time.

Project manager is responsible for ramping down any discontinued items including ensure that waste is at a minimum. Expected to communicate in advance any obsolete ingredient and packaging inventory so that sales manager and or national account manager is aware and can communicate with the customer.

Collaborate cross functionally regarding root cause analysis on waste logs and any obsolete/non usable inventory. Expected to help coordinate a solution to help offset any liability including charging back the customer.

Review weekly customer forecast to ensure that forecast is accurate and any trends, seasonality, and promotional activities are being accounted for.

Collaborate with other TF locations to coordinate support and learnings.

Visit other facilities are needed to understand best practices and share with other project managers.

Ensure test runs are completed and results or gaps are understood for resolution as needed.

Participate with the team in the operation during the weeks leading up to launch and during the launch itself.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) and 3 to 6 years overall work experience in operations, account management/customer service, project management and/or product management.
• If previously in a more generalist role we require at least 1+ of project management and on should have participated in the full lifecycle of a product launch or project implementation (multiple times is better); PMP, APICS or other certifications desirable.
• Strong track-record of customer service leadership (internal or external) including the ability to be proactive, articulate points succinctly and directly as well as to manage conflict that arises quickly.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, food service or other dynamic environment, with roles that demonstrate a high success for execution and quality work product.
• Knowledge of how key operational areas work together including production, warehouse/inventory, procurement and shipping.
• Able to work at a rapid pace and drive decisions to keep the team on track; understands the trade-off between time, quality and costs in any project.
• Works overtime as needed in order to hit deadlines but prefers to tightly manage the timeline and other stakeholders’ time management to avoid undue stress on the business.
• Enjoys working with all levels, including our front-line supervision and can follow the good manufacturing practices of safety and sanitation (e.g. hairnets, lab coats, etc.)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Chicago, IL 60612: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• PMP (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

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