Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager

Ascend Wellness Holdings (AWH) is a vertically integrated cannabis cultivator, processor, and retailer with assets in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Our mission is to shape the future of cannabis as a leading healthcare solution while delivering a premium, customer-focused retail experience. We are committed to building a high-performing team that is passionate about our products, our communities, and creating operational excellence across our growing footprint.

The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for managing the commercialization process for Ascend Wellness Holdings' product portfolio from innovation pipeline and initiation, to launch marketing support plans, and post-mortem review, as well as other key cross-functional and marketing-specific projects. As a Project Manager, you will lead teams to deliver projects that span across multiple business units - including a dual portfolio of product category innovation initiatives and regional market expansion projects - and ensure successful and on-time project delivery. You will be responsible for the complete lifecycle of your projects, including managing resources, schedules, financials, issues & risks, and for the adherence to stage-gate principles. You will also contribute to process improvement initiatives to improve project delivery.

The ideal candidate will have a blend of experience working in fast-paced, visible roles with a focus on process execution, impeccable communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work within deadlines and budgets. Your ability to coordinate across departments, partner with various levels of stakeholders, and properly leverage the talents of many employees is paramount. The ideal candidate will feel comfortable working on a myriad of projects at once while alternating between market details and corporate strategic initiatives.

Location: Remote based plus travel and must reside in either IL, NJ, MA, or neighboring state with travel expectation 15%-20%. Travel expected a minimum of 2 times per quarter to each of our production/cultivation facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Management
• Build and manage project timelines by collaborating with cross-functional teams across Product Development, Cultivation, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Finance, to commercialize new products, ensuring effective speed to market.
• Define project objectives, scope, and key success criteria.
• Ensure the on-scope, on-time, and on-quality execution and launch of projects through the end-to-end project lifecycle.
• Ownership of the full project lifecycle from initiation to launch for multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Build and manage project schedules, define the critical path, track activities, and hold project team members accountable for deliverables and timing.
• Review current project timelines, understand team needs and pain points, and improve timeline structure. Ensure that cross-functional partners understand their role in the timeline to aid in delivering on key milestones. Proactively raise issues, delays, and risks and work with the team to resolve, escalating in a timely manner if needed.
• Manage resources effectively, including developing resource (expense and headcount) plans.
• Coordinate and facilitate project meetings, including kick-offs, weekly status meetings, risk assessments, post-launch reviews, and additional meetings as required.

Stakeholder and Team Management:

• Design, Build, and install new project management processes to foster process improvements and efficiencies
• Provide leadership and insight to PM team while keeping them organized, on task and accountable
• Build and maintain strong relationships with cross-functional partners to bring products and marketing programs to market together successfully as a team. Feel empowered to hold team members accountable. Partner with projects lead to keep the team motivated and on track.
• Provide transparent communication of project status to project team members, senior leaders, and other key stakeholders.
• Work with external brand partners to manage ongoing projects and new product launches.

Risk Management:

• Define, manage, and mitigate risks on projects, taking a proactive approach to solve any issues before they come up, or manage as they arise.
• Develop contingency plans to manage potential project roadblocks.

Continuous Improvement and Reporting:

• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the project management team. Analyze project outcomes to refine future project strategies and improve success rates.
• Participate in establishing practices, processes, tools, and partnerships to expand and mature the PM capabilities for the organization.
• Develop and deliver appropriate and effective progress reports, proposals, and presentations to various audiences including project team, sponsors, executive leadership, and key stakeholders.
• Ensure timely and accurate entry and maintenance of project data and the project portfolio management system, continuously reinforcing and reinvigorating the system over time.
• Collaborate with the PM team to share knowledge and best practices, helping to raise the entire team's capabilities and performance. Provide training and development opportunities for team members to enhance their skills and capabilities. Mentor and coach fellow project managers and team members.
• Drive digital transformation projects to enhance productivity and efficiency. Identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement within projects. Lead initiatives to implement new tools, technologies, and methodologies to enhance project efficiency.
• Implement quality control measures to ensure that project deliverables meet the required standards. Conduct regular quality reviews and audits to identify and address any issues.
• Develop and implement change management plans to ensure smooth transitions during project phases. Communicate changes effectively to all stakeholders and manage any resistance to change.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree required in business, supply chain, engineering, or related field.
• PMP certification is highly desirable.
• Minimum of 3+ years' project management experience in consumer-packaged goods.
• Experience managing multiple projects concurrently across large product sets in several markets.
• Experience managing multiple layers of personal relationships and working across departments and levels of the organization (including senior leadership).
• Cannabis industry experience highly desirable, including knowledge of various product formats, extraction methods, formulation, and/or packaging processes.
• Previous work in a global, highly matrixed CPG company is highly desirable.
• Must be a quick learner that can adapt to an ever-changing environment, self-motivated, decisive, and innovative, with the ability to adapt to change and competing demands.
• High degree of emotional intelligence to effectively deal with diverse clients and teams.
• Exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to guide diverse teams to consensus.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and make data-driven decisions, including proficiency in Excel.
• Knowledgeable in digital integrations, productivity, and automation tools.
• Experience in operational efficiency and process improvement initiatives, with a strong understanding of supply chain management and logistics.
• Familiarity with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI desired.
• Ability to confidently lead meetings between internal and external groups, serving as an interface between stakeholders.
• Experience with stage-gate or similar product development processes, and Agile and Lean methodologies including Gantt charts, kanban boards, etc.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM) tools and project management software such as Monday, Asana, Trello, Jira, or Smartsheet.
• Experience with Brand Folder is preferred.
• Proven ability in managing digital transformation projects.
• Skilled in developing contingency plans for project risk management.
• Travel required: 25% to approximately 50% of the time.

Work Environment:

Role is remote based with travel required to manufacturing and retail settings. The environment includes active production areas with exposure to plant material, varying temperatures and humidity levels typical of cultivation spaces, and frequent movement throughout grow, processing, and packaging areas. PPE and adherence to facility safety and compliance protocols are required.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, this position is regularly required to sit and regularly use hand(s) to handle, grasp, feel, and or touch. This position is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. This position is required to speak and listen regularly.

EEO Statement:

Ascend Wellness Holdings, INC., ("AWH") and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring / hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national