Project Manager - Speed to Market Initiatives - Rich Products : Job Details

Rich's, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. Our diverse range of products, from cakes and icings to pizza and specialty toppings, empowers food industry professionals to thrive in competitive markets. With a global presence across 100 locations and annual sales surpassing $4 billion, Rich's is at the forefront of delivering innovative food solutions. Join us in exploring the infinite possibilities that a family-focused approach can achieve.

Purpose Statement

The Project Manager in Speed to Market (STM) will oversee a complex portfolio of projects within the Category Business Unit, concentrating on product innovation, network optimization, risk mitigation, product maintenance, and cost savings.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with category STM Project Managers, Marketing Product Managers, and CBU leaders to execute the New Product project portfolio, contributing to innovation sales and cost savings targets.
• Combine traditional project management methodologies with STM process best practices to achieve project goals, including those related to acquisition integration.
• Lead large, cross-functional teams to ensure the achievement of project objectives, metrics, and KPIs.
• Ensure accountability among team members by utilizing the STM RACI chart.
• Advance projects through Gate Approval recommendations while adhering to the approved STM process.
• Proactively identify project risks and develop effective contingency plans.
• Support CBU leaders in managing customer expectations regarding project deliverables.
• Advocate for project team members, addressing capacity issues and action item accountability.
• Demonstrate expertise in the STM system by ensuring accurate project data in Accolade and SharePoint, while utilizing PowerBI for portfolio management and KPI tracking.
• Act as a back-up for other Project Managers in STM as necessary.

Portfolio Management:

• Serve as the primary contact for assigned strategic categories, providing portfolio management expertise, direction, and recommendations.
• Align category strategies with the current STM portfolio; deliver project execution updates and recommend corrective actions to ensure the portfolio meets target strategies and KPIs.
• Review new project requests, validate project type, assign STM leads, and ensure effective execution following established processes.
• Prioritize and manage non-project activities to ensure uninterrupted execution of current STM projects.
• Oversee the status of Open, Hold, and WTC projects to ensure accuracy and adherence to target portfolio size.
• Lead portfolio review meetings, including project prioritization discussions with business leads and CBU leaders.
• Collaborate with the STM team to assess resource capacity for assigned categories and develop corrective action plans as needed.

Process Leadership and Expertise:

• Become a subject matter expert in STM processes and category details to ensure project excellence.
• Champion the STM process, including continuous improvement initiatives and process documentation.
• Provide training and mentoring to category APMs and STM Coordinators to enhance efficiency.
• Coach cross-functional NWT project team members to ensure STM process execution excellence.
• Act as an expert in acquisition integration processes for assigned categories.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field with 5+ years of experience; an MBA is preferred.
• At least 3 years of project management experience with complex, strategic projects.
• Familiarity with New Product Development principles and the Stage Gate Process.
• Proven leadership skills in cross-functional teams, delivering results in fast-paced environments.
• Strong interpersonal abilities, including mentoring, coaching, and collaboration.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, capable of managing competing demands effectively.
• Ability to adapt to rapid changes and manage ambiguity with strong decision-making skills.
• Detail-oriented with the capability to anticipate issues and recommend resolutions.
• Exceptional communication skills, both oral and written, with experience interacting with senior management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, OneNote, Word, PowerPoint, Teams) and SAP & SharePoint.
• Experience with project management tools, specifically Accolade.
• Willingness to travel 0-5% as required.

Compensation:

The salary range for this role is $88,596.95 - $132,895.43, varying based on factors such as experience, skills, and location.

Rich's is committed to providing an inclusive and equitable workplace, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. We ensure equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or any other protected status. We value diversity and strive to create a supportive environment for all employees.

If you require assistance in completing the application or participating in the process due to a disability, please contact Rich's Associate Experience Network.