This role is responsible for leading cross functional project teams as they work together to launch and commercialize new food products and maintain existing products in the marketplace. The Krusteaz Company develops and produces bake and breakfast mixes, and a variety of snacks. This role will be responsible for all aspects of project execution impacting multiple brands and product categories across all business channels (retail, club, distributors, national accounts). This position reports through the Project Management Office (PMO).

Essential Functions: Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

• Responsible for utilizing the Stage Gate process and other existing tools to manage multiple development projects from project approval to customer delivery.
• Responsible for managing the integration of a project so that project objectives are met by utilizing the right resources, in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Clearly defines, manages, and controls project requirements and scope; Ensures there is cross-functional alignment on project objectives and deliverables.
• Achieves timely completion of projects by developing and maintaining accountability to project milestones and schedules; Builds project schedules by identifying sequence of activities, durations, resource availability, and schedule constraints.
• Analyzes projects on an ongoing basis to identify issues which may affect project status and timeline(s).
• Responsible for understanding how product development and supply chain components impact project costs; Provides clear communication and visibility to Marketing Business Lead of costs impacts due to scope changes.
• Works cross-functionally to identify right resources needed and establishes clear roles and expectations for the project team; Coach and mentor, proactively recognizes opportunities for improvement and works with team throughout the project to develop necessary competencies.
• Identifies communication needs for the project team and stakeholders, communicating the right information, at the right time, to the right people; Effectively communicates to the project team scope decisions made by business lead and key stakeholders.
• Leads effective project team meetings; Encourages cross-functional collaboration, provides direction to the project team, outlines priorities, assigns tasks as needed, and addresses issues/risks impacting project.
• Escalates issues to project sponsors/management as needed and provides visibility to risk; Works proactively with project team to identify issues and mitigate risks throughout the project.
• Leads projects with a continuous improvement mindset; Leverages post-project launch meetings to recognize and celebrate team successes; Identifies opportunities for improvement based on trends, key issues and problems; Drives continuous improvement within the project team, PMO, and future projects.
• Maintains effective relationships with key business partners to facilitate the management and execution of projects.
• Adheres to and promotes rigorous and disciplined used of Krusteaz Company’s project management tools, processes and systems as established by the PMO in a manner that is consistent with Krusteaz Company culture of collaboration and strong customer service orientation.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals qualified with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent knowledge of project management tools and procedures; Knowledge of people management skills, particularly influence management and conflict resolution.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and presentation skills required; Strong listening, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to interact with all levels of the organization.
• Ability to manage projects through cross-functional teams, provide direction, and hold project team accountable; Able to work with team to resolve conflicts and find agreeable solutions.
• Ability to develop and assimilate data to create plans and proposals; Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment; Flexible, with the ability to handle changing environment and priorities.
• Strong root cause problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of operations, finance, R& D, and manufacturing, including scheduling, procurement, conversion, and quality systems.
• Continuous improvement skills and methodologies.
• Proficiency in Power Point, Excel and other MS office applications; Experience in Microsoft Project, SmartSheets, or other Project Management tools a plus.
• Financial and business acumen.
• Less than 10% travel required.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience/training required.
• Minimum 3 years project management experience, preferably in the food industry in either R& D or Sales Operations required.
• Experience in CPG sales operations, manufacturing, operations or supply chain preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certificate in Project Management a plus.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone along with reaching. Specific vision abilities include close vision requirements due to computer work. Moderate noise, ability to work in a confined area, and ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time are also included.

The policy of The Krusteaz Company is to hire, train, and promote all persons in all job groups in accordance with law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or military status, national origin, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.

Get to know us:

• A people-focused company that cares: We're a 90-year-old company with the entrepreneurial spirit of a startup and a focused eye on the future. As a midsized, privately held company with a portfolio of beloved food and beverage brands, our people are the most important ingredient in our success.
• A valued and supported workforce: We place tremendous value in our employees and provide competitive pay and comprehensive benefits to ensure our employees can create the best life for themselves. Benefits include a top tier health insurance plan with lower-than-average employee cost share, generous PTO, 401(k) match, and more.
• An engaged and energized culture: At The Krusteaz Company, collaboration and ingenuity drive our fierce commitment to creating extraordinary product experiences that people love.
• A place to grow and make a difference: An entrepreneurial spirit has been at the core of our company since the beginning, attracting self-starters who are curious and love to learn and to share ideas.

Hybrid Work Model: At The Krusteaz Company, we have in-office "core days" of Tuesdays and Wednesdays where all corporate employees are expected to be onsite. Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays are flexible remote days to allow for work/life balance. You may be asked to come in outside of a core day from time to time, based on business needs. We have found aligning our scheduled in-office days provides opportunity for employees to build connections and collaborate together.

Benefits: We are proud to offer generous benefits including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance (starting at $50/month for employee-only coverage on the PPO Plan or starting at $25/month for employee-only coverage on the HDHP), 401(K) matching, 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 paid holidays, 1 paid personal holiday, company provided life insurance and disability insurance, flexible spending account, healthcare saving account, voluntary accident insurance, voluntary critical illness insurance, and tuition reimbursement.

Salary Information: An employee in this position can expect a salary range between $83, 620 and $137, 965. We typically pay out between $94, 000 and $120, 000. The actual salary offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including internal equity, experience, education, certification, training, and location. All positions are eligible for additional incentives based on business performance.

We hope you'll take the time to get to know us! The Krusteaz Company is not sponsoring new applicant employment authorization at this time and please, no third-party recruiters.