Associate Project Manager - Speed to Market

Rich's, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich's is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich's®-Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The Associate Project Manager in Speed to Market (STM) will manage a portfolio of Category Business Unit projects focused on product innovation, network optimization, risk mitigation, product maintenance, or cost savings. This role requires leading cross-functional teams focused on achieving project objectives and meeting or exceeding project metrics including category speed and execution KPI's. You will partner with STM Project Managers, Marketing Product Managers and Category Business Unit leaders to execute the category's New Product project portfolio contributing to Innovation sales and cost savings targets.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES

Project Management: (85%)

Blend traditional project management principles with STM project best practices to best fit and achieve the business objective of projects assigned

Lead cross-functional teams to successful execution of assigned projects objectives while achieving all project related target metrics and KPI's

Develop and maintain detailed project plans for all projects assigned and clearly communicate plan to the natural work teams (NWT)

Lead project through Gate Approval recommendation based on changes to resources, timing, scope or financials, following the approved STM process

Identify project risks and develop contingency plans with recommended solutions

Utilize process playbook, tools, and systems available to Associate Project Managers, to ensure project deliverables are completed by NWT on-time as established within the scope and plan of the project

Support CBU Business Leader(s) in managing customer expectations for project deliverables and stakeholder communications

Monitor budget (# of plant trials), spoilage, and cost savings expectations/projections on behalf of business leader

Demonstrate STM system expertise to ensure project data accuracy in Accolade and SharePoint, and utilization of PowerBI to manage current portfolio projects and related KPI's

Process Leadership and Acumen: (10%)

Drive self and NWT to build Subject Matter Expertise in STM process and category proficiency to support project execution excellence

Serve as STM process champion including supporting continuous improvement process, documenting new processes, and Process Playbook maintenance for assigned SME(s) accountably

Train NWT members to build STM process proficiency

Portfolio Management: (5%)

Collaborates with STM team members to manage portfolio capacity for category/sub-category assigned including:

Review WTR's and execution of triage, kick-off deliverables in accordance with process for assigned projects

Review of Open, Hold, and WTC projects assigned to ensure validity of status, accuracy of project details, and adherence to target portfolio size

Partner with STM team to assess assigned projects NWT resource capacity, develop corrective action plan, and proper use of capacity escalation process to STM/CBU Leadership

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or related field with 3+ years of general business and/or marketing experience, MBA preferred

Minimum 2 years project management experience

Experience with New Product Development principles and Stage Gate Process preferred

Demonstrated cross-functional team leadership experience

Strong interpersonal skills including coaching, collaborating, and delivering team feedback

Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills with an ability to manage competing demands with high levels of ambiguity

Demonstrated leadership, taking initiative and delivering results in a fast-paced environment

Ability to excel in a rapidly changing environment with varying project complexities, shifting priorities, aggressive timelines, and strong personalities within project teams

Strong organizational and attention to details skills including ability to anticipate issues, recommend resolutions, and/or identify escalation requirements

Demonstrated communication skills to include oral and written capabilities

Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Excel, One Note, Word, PowerPoint, Teams

Proficient in SAP & SharePoint preferred

Experience with project management tools and/or software (Accolade) preferred

Travel 0-5% #CORP123 #LI-RT1 #earlycareers

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state, or local law. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich's. Please contact Rich's Human Resources department at [email protected] if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.