Commercialization Project Manager

Job title:  Commercialization Project Manager

Location: Chicagoland (hybrid)

Reports to: Sr. Director of Marketing

Job description 

We are looking for a hands-on, highly-motivated project manager who can drive and manage all aspects of product commercialization with a cross-functional team.  Reporting to the Sr. Director of Marketing, this high-impact role requires someone who can implement project management best practices, ensure accountability of team members for delivering tasks on time, thrive in ambiguity and is able to adapt to changing business requirements. 

As the first full-time dedicated employee in this role, they will take the lead in crafting and establishing comprehensive project management and budget tracking processes from the ground up, setting a strong foundation for scalable and efficient workflows tailored to our organization's unique needs and goals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Management

• Manage cross-functional project teams in the development and commercialization of products - ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, on-budget, and on-strategy. 
• Create project plans that seamlessly integrate workstreams between R&D, Supply Chain, Creative, Brand Marketing and Sales processes and functions.
• Lead communication on all project matters, including proactive outreach to gather and clarify scope, timelines, issues, and risks, and effectively disseminate this information across multiple management levels for decision-making and escalation of critical risks/issues.
• Lead milestone presentations with the Leadership Team to make go-forward decisions on product launches.
• Identifies and manages project risks, issues, and dependencies, and develops risk mitigation and contingency plans as needed.
• Manages project budgets and resources effectively to ensure projects are completed within scope and budget.
• Gather feedback on improving the stage gate commercialization process and lead implementation of process improvements.
• Escalate issues and risks and drive to solutions.
• Evaluate and make recommendations around critical project decisions.
• Provide visibility and gain alignment to project timelines across the organization.

2. Team Management

• Proactively build strong and trusted working relationships with internal and external stakeholders that encourages creativity and collaboration.
• Hold cross functional team members accountable for delivering tasks on time.
• Lead project team meetings and facilitates effective communication and coordination among project team members .
• Provide leadership and guidance to project team members and motivates them to achieve project goals.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Self-motivated, high energy that can easily function in a high demand, performance-driven environment
• Dynamic problem solver - comfortable challenging assumptions and offering solutions with incomplete information
• High levels of ownership and accountability
• Comfortable dealing with ambiguity
• Ability to create flexible strategies and adapt quickly to changing business environment;
• Ability to develop and maintain detailed Gantt charts with dependencies, facilitating effective tracking and visualization of project timelines and task sequences.
• Results focused - Bias towards action, able to synthesize multiple pieces of information and act decisively
• Transparent, open communicator, and great listener who can read between the lines
• Highly organized, detail oriented, and self-motivated
• Ability to balance competing interests and ensure all objectives across multiple projects are met in a timely manner
• Experience with project management software such as ClickUp, Smartsheets, Asana, Wrike, Microsoft Project, etc. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• At least fives years of project management experience in a CPG company required
• Proven experience leading and managing project teams in a highly collaborative and fast paced business environment
• PMP, PgMP, CAPM, and/or comparable project management certifications is a must.
• Strong project management software skills (e.g., MS Project, Trello, or Asana).

Physical Requirements, with or without accommodations:

• Prolonged periods at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to visually interpret information such as product and packaging design. 
• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time. 
• Ability to move throughout the warehouse and laboratory (No stairs required)
• Ability to handle chemicals and product samples, including fragrances.
• Ability to be present in and participate in virtual meetings
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. 
• Ability to spend 1-2 days per week in Chicagoland office with cross-functional team required

Salary Range: $130,000 to $155,000

Benefits

• Medical and Vision Insurance
• 401K Plan with ESG funds option
• Unlimited vacation days
• Paid sick time off
• Remote workspace and internet stipend
• Life and short term disability insurance
• Voluntary dental and supplemental life insurance
• Discount on Dropps products

Dropps is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to provide employment, training, and room for growth to all, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We thrive when our ideas are reinforced and challenged by new viewpoints, and recognize diversity at Dropps is essential to developing the best products on the market and the happiest workplace in the world!