R&D Project Manager
Bel Brands USA
- Elk Grove Village, IL
- $120,000-125,000 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
City: Chicago
Job Family: Research / Development / Innovation
Contract Type: Unlimited-term
Job ID: 52577R&D Project ManagerBel, makers of iconic brands including Babybel, The Laughing Cow, Boursin, Kaukauna, Merkts, Price's and GoGo squeeZ, is a growing global company that values your contributions, strives to create a sense of belonging for everyone and offers career growth and development opportunities, as well as competitive total compensation and meaningful well-being benefits from day one. For All, For Good, our company signature, reflects Bel's commitment to Purpose Full Snacking, sustainability and responsible food for all. The company has headquarters for it's cheese business unit in Chicago and offices for GoGo squeeZ in New York City. Bel operates four US manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI, and Brookings, SD, Nampa, ID, and Traverse City, MI.Job Description SummaryThe Project Manager will manage a portfolio of projects including innovation, cost savings, packaging and product renovations, network optimization and sustainability initiatives across Bel USA brands. Leading project teams to ensure deliverables are met on time and in full, within the project scope and budget, utilizing resources effectively. Coordinating with other functions to ensure all aspects of each project are compatible and stakeholders are engaged to drive timely decisions.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesJob Responsibilities & Tasks:
- A strategic doer who can lead projects from end-to-end according to the Stage Gate process.
- Work with cross functional team to manage key projects within the portfolio by:
- Assisting with the definition of project scope/objectives to assess complexity
- Detailed documentation of project briefs and specific project requirements
- Ensuring the quality of the inputs from the contributing teams
- Leverage project management expertise to ensure the delivery of projects on time, in full through the application of a robust methodology encompassing:
- Coordinate kick off meetings to establish clear project scope and success criteria
- Build and follow up on timeline and budget
- Develop a detailed project plan, managed through regular project meetings and notes to monitor and track progress
- Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule and project costs using appropriate governance forums
- Strongly coordinate project team members from many different functions
- Clearly communicate on progress, risk, and project deviation (Cost, resource, priority ): report and escalate to management as needed
- Coordinate risk management to minimize project risks
- Conduct lessons learned after each project to enhance our ways of working
- Coordinate and lead discussions with teams to drive projects forward and maintain the timeline
- Results-oriented team player within a diverse, multicultural, and fast-paced environment.
- Ability to lead by example and manage through influence across local and global teams.
- A constructive challenger who is capable of saying no.
- Effective at managing competing priorities while adhering to key deadlines.
- Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail and rigor.
- Ability to work effectively with internal stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
- Proven ability to prioritize and manage a portfolio of projects.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical ability.
- Flexible and ability to learn quickly.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Project.
- EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain/Operations Management, Business Management, or a related field is required
- EXPERIENCE: Minimum 5 years of work experience required
- 3+ years of experience in Innovation Project Management, preferably within a multinational environment
- Experience working in a CPG / food manufacturing environment strongly preferred