Innovation Project Manager

JOB PURPOSE

The Innovation Project Manager is responsible for innovation projects through the Seaboard stage gate system. This includes everything from idea testing, valuations, prioritization, risk management, and all project brief and stage gate related materials. This position is also responsible for managing product Master Data Governance, assists with sales presentation documents and coordination with insights, including sales support materials and processes, GS1 compliant digital content, product development, and customer/broker relations.

RESPONSIBILITIES & TASKS

• Supports innovation projects through their entire Stage & Gate process, from initial concept through launch. This includes understanding capabilities and capacity during the development phase through to leading the execution of scale up and launch, aligning all key functional groups within the corporate and plant teams
• Able to execute and manage a portfolio of complex projects; demonstrating the ability to prioritize and manage multiple project activities both internally and with co-packers
• Utilize project management skills, including but not limited to GANTT charts, A3 problem solving, chartering, stakeholder analysis, RACI, work breakdown structure; setting milestones and progress reporting to move a project from inception to completion
• Manage risk and identify product landscape and marketplace conditions to funnel and prioritize to identify which to move into stage gate and share with leadership through Monte Carlo and marketplace testing options
• Lead, compose, and test new product concepts to identify purchase intent and which consumer needs, features, or benefits they are willing to pay to have solved
• Manage project resources, including the cross-functional project team
• Leads maintaining and verifying product master data is current and accurate both with current content partners such as 1WorldSync, customers’ providers such as Syndigo and Salsify, and any customer specific needs
• Participates in recipe development, cooking validation, and product development with awareness based on how average people cook and make meals

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS IN ALL ROLES: instills trust, communicates effectively, action oriented, accepts accountability, and collaborates with others.

CRITICAL COMPETENCIES

Manages Complexity

Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Plans and Aligns

Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.

Cultivates Innovation

Creates new and better ways for the organization to be successful.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in relation field which may include (Management, Marketing, Organizational Behavior, Food Science, Engineering) or equivalent combination of both education and strong business experience required.
• 5 years of relevant business experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to use reasoning skills, industry and company knowledge, and common sense understanding to advocate for the right products/projects to fill and move the company’s innovation pipeline forward.
• Some travel

ABOUT SEABOARD FOODS

At Seaboard Foods, we create the most sought-after pork. A top U.S. pork producer/processor and leading exporter to 30 countries, we bring excellence to the table, seeking a better way to produce wholesome pork and connect every step between our farms and family tables. Together, more than 5,000 employees in five states work in our farms, feed mills, and processing plant, to produce Prairie Fresh^® pork, ensuring the well-being of our animals, the environment, our employees, and the communities we call home.

Seaboard Foods is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by law.