VI – Project Leader

Job Responsibilities

• Facilitates projects comprised of cross functional resources ensuring internal/external customer needs are met.
• Develops, facilitates and review project plans (including scope, goals, responsibilities, schedules/timelines, budgets, resources, communication, status/reporting and documentation) with cross functional teams (Customers, Marketing, Sales, Finance, R&D, Quality, Procurement, Logistics, and Operations).
• Ensures that suitable risk assessment and contingency planning takes place, is communicated and agreed upon by all stakeholders. Takes action as needed to stay on track or accelerate if the business needs exist.
• Assists other business leaders with project management/commercialization.
• Continuously evaluates project management methodologies that enable our teams to effectively manage and execute projects in budget, on time and in spec.
• Defines and implements improvements in project management tools and methodologies; enables best practice sharing by ensuring all projects are properly closed out and key learning’s are documented.
• Develops strong vendor/customer relationships to effectively develop and implement improvement ideas.
• Challenges project management processes to generate improvement opportunities.
• Studies product design, customer requirements, performance standards to then determine project specifications. Presents cost estimates and performance standards. Conducts tests assuring safe and satisfactory product performance.
• Stays abreast of new and emerging technologies in aseptic processing, batching, filling, and packaging.
• Facilitates efforts on project teams in the spirit of cooperation between departments with an overall culture of teamwork, member involvement, and enabling teams to make decisions and be accountable for project results.
• Presents procedures, rules and regulations to those involved in the project; maintains a safe, clean and productive environment through enforcing procedures. Maintains project integrity and reputation through compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Ensures that required competencies to carry out these job functions affecting product legality, safety and quality are met in accordance with the Quality Policy and Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standard.
• Ensures compliance with corporate/plant safety standards and with applicable regulatory requirements while following the company’s Good Manufacturing Practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Food Science, Engineering or related field.
• 1-3 years experience in facilitating cross functional teams, providing strategic direction within a complex organization
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated project planning and management skills
• Strong group facilitation skills and the ability to drive others to deliver actions and results
• Demonstrated problem solving skills
• Self-motivated, detail orientated and analytical
• Able to deal with ambiguity where processes/sytems do not exist or are not documented
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools (Excel, Word, Microsoft Project etc.)
• Advanced spreadsheet and numerical analysis skills (ie. building business cases, cash flow analysis, etc.)
• Demonstrated sense of urgency in a fast paced environment using sound judgement to make decisions
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations by promoting and maintaining an inclusive work environment and culture that is respectful and accepting of diversity.
• Ability and means to travel if needed; must possess a valid driver’s license and proof of valid insurance including liability and property damage coverage

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification
• Demonstrated records of accomplishments supporting company growth and profitability
• Business acumen in food safety, quality/compliance, production scheduling/planning, procurement, manufacturing processes (batching, filling, packaging/labeling, warehousing and logistics)