Research and Development Project Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Project Manager (R&D) – Food Innovation & Product Development

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Location: Solon, OH, USA 44139

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Contract: 12 months

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On-Site role

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Job Description:

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• WORK LOCATION: Solon, Ohio

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• WORK SCHEDULE: FT M-F 8 am to 5 pm

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JOB SUMMARY:

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• We’re looking for a Senior Specialist – Project Manager to join the client Food PMO team in NDC Solon.

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• In this position, you will lead several R&D projects/programs within client Food, with a focus on Top Priority Innovation and Renovation Projects across our Frozen Foods businesses (Meals, Pizza and Snacking)

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• You will plan projects End-to-End, ensuring alignment with Idea-to-Launch (I2L), and key corporate strategies and commitments

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• You will orchestrate a cross-functional and multi-disciplinary team (R&D, SBU, Zone, Markets) to achieve the project-defined Key Success Criteria and deliver against the business case.

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• Managing project stakeholders, negotiating with key decision makers and leveraging with internal and external networks will be essential for your success.

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• Reporting to the NPTC Project Management Office Lead, this is a key role to ensure projects are delivered according to key performance criteria and to the satisfaction of key stakeholders.

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• The position requires strong project management/leadership, communication, organization, and presentation skills.

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PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

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Project Management/Leadership:

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• Contribute to the future commercial success of the business by considering the whole picture of the project (E2E), and by considering Good for You and CSV strategies and commitments.

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• Responsible for Project Management of cross- functional teams of marketing, quality assurance, engineering, product development, etc., promoting a team-building atmosphere for efficient, effective, and flawless execution of the projects along the entire flow.

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• Must be able to communicate project status using excellent oral, written, and presentation communication skills.

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• Effectively control scope changes through proactive and open communication with stakeholders.

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• Must have the ability to manage parallel and sequential project tasks, to identify and communicate project costs and accelerated timing opportunities and risks.

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• Must be able to generate and record new knowledge effectively.

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People and Resource Management:

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• Define roles and responsibilities required for the project.

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• Effective resource planning.

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• Ensure the resources are available for the project as required.

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• Create project team spirit to deliver high quality results on time, on cost and on quality.

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Stakeholder engagement:

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• Manage project stakeholders, negotiate with client decision makers and business partners internally and externally.

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• Vertical and horizontal communication.

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• Ability to simplify complex information into simple concepts.

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• Create synergies through effective networking with all relevant R&D Units, business partners, markets, SBUs, Head Office and external partners.

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Coaching and Sharing:

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• Facilitate and coach within the project team and enhance the interaction and collaboration between the various specialists within the client and across R&D Units, Technical and Business Units, and with external partners.

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• Develop junior project manager capabilities in project management through regular coaching.

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REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL:

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• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science or Engineering Degree (or equivalent), with a sound knowledge of Project Management.

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EXPERIENCE:

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• >5 years of Project Management experience, preferably in R&D and/or Food & Beverages company.

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• >7 years of experience in R&D, Operations, Markets and/or commercial functions.

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• Proven track record of strong Project Management.

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• Project Management Professional (PMP/PMI) certification is a plus.

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