Manager, Project Management & Portfolio - Remote

Eagle Foods

  • Buffalo Grove, IL
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 27 days ago
ResponsibilitiesJob Description SummaryThe Manager of Project Management & Portfolio is essential to Eagle Foods’ ability to deliver excellence across its innovation and commercialization pipeline. Reporting into R&D while supporting cross-functional teams company-wide, this role is responsible for leading high-priority projects (approximately 50% of the time), managing two direct reports, and contributing to broader portfolio planning and prioritization. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and brings a balance of strategic thinking and execution. They will apply structure, tools, and clear communication to drive progress, ensure accountability, and enable timely decision-making. This role is also instrumental in reinforcing Stage-Gate discipline, improving project visibility, and driving continuous improvement in how the organization operates.Essential Duties and Responsibilities * Project Leadership & Excellence
  • Lead high-impact innovation and commercialization projects, ensuring on-time execution and stakeholder alignment
  • Use Stage-Gate methodology to manage project phases and guide cross-functional teams from concept to launch
  • Ensure compliance with Eagle Foods’ Stage-Gate process and drive clarity on expectations at each project stage
  • Partner with stakeholders in Marketing, Sales, Operations, Regulatory, and Finance to resolve issues and align on critical path activities
  • Team & People Management
  • Manage two direct reports, ensuring team collaboration, accountability, and workload balance
  • Portfolio & Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Collaborate with the Vice President, R&D and other leaders to maintain the project portfolio and identify opportunities for streamlining and prioritization
  • Translate complex information into clear communications and reports for project teams and leadership
  • Tools, Systems & Continuous Improvement
  • Champion the use of project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Power BI) to track progress, share information, and ensure transparency
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance speed, efficiency, and decision clarity
  • Support development and refinement of tools, templates, and workflows to standardize execution
QualificationsQualifications and CompetenciesEducation & Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Project Management, or a related field is highly preferred; a Master’s degree is a plus
  • PMP certification is preferred
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in CPG project management or commercialization, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Some experience mentoring or supporting junior team members
  • Strong working knowledge of Stage-Gate processes and cross-functional innovation practices
  • Proficiency in project management and reporting tools such as Smartsheet, Power BI, or Microsoft Project
Leadership & Collaboration
  • Proven ability to manage and coach a team, including direct oversight of two project management professionals
  • Committed to fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture
  • Skilled in cross-functional collaboration with departments such as Marketing, Sales, Operations, Regulatory, and Finance
  • Ability to influence and guide project teams to maintain momentum and achieve outcomes
  • Builds strong relationships across teams to ensure clear handoffs, alignment, and effective communication
Strategic & Analytical Thinking
  • Experience supporting ownership of an innovation project portfolio, surfacing risks and tradeoffs as they arise
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to prioritization discussions and capacity planning at a portfolio level
  • Applies strategic thinking to drive timely decision-making and support executive leadership with actionable insights
  • Identifies opportunities for parallel workstreams to accelerate execution and improve time-to-market
  • Brings a continuous improvement mindset, contributing to the enhancement of systems and processes that increase efficiency and reduce redundancy
Communication
  • Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills
  • Skilled at translating complex, cross-functional project details into clear, concise updates for a variety of audiences
  • Ensures consistent documentation and communication of project status, risks, and decisions
  • Provides executive-level visibility through regular reporting and insight generation
Execution & Personal Effectiveness
  • Demonstrated success in directly leading commercialization and innovation projects across product categories
  • Maintains proactive control over project schedules, risk mitigation, and critical decision points
  • Champions the use of project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Power BI) to drive visibility, transparency, and alignment
  • Acts as a Stage-Gate process champion, upholding standardization and clarity around project expectations
  • Supports team development in planning, communication, and effective use of project tools
Location & Travel
  • This is a remote position with flexibility; however, periodic travel may be required based on project needs
  • Estimated travel is approximately 10–20%, which may include visits to corporate offices, co-manufacturers, or customer locations to support project execution and alignment

Eagle Foods