Junior Project Manager

Job Title: Jr Project Manager
Location: Irvine, CA (3-4 days' work from office per week)
Duration: 6 months contract to hire
Experience Required: 10+ years
Job Description:
The Staff Project Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating complex, cross-functional projects that impact technology systems and business operations. Ensures the successful execution of projects by managing scope, schedules, budgets, resources, and risks while delivering measurable results aligned with company goals. The Staff Project Manager works collaboratively with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and IT teams, balancing company needs with IT capabilities to achieve efficient and effective outcomes. This role is critical in ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality projects that enhance company operations and strategic initiatives. The successful candidate will partner closely with senior leadership and department heads while demonstrating project ownership through implementation and post-go-live support.

Primary Responsibilities

Manages and oversees the execution of simultaneous technology, business, Facility and IT projects from initiation to closure, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and schedule.

Develop and manage project plans, schedules, resources, and budgets for IT initiatives.

Define project scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders.

Monitor project progress, milestones, and risks to ensure successful delivery.

Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure clear communication and alignment of project objectives.

Conducts regular project status meetings and provides routine updates to stakeholders and senior leadership, highlighting key milestones, issues, risks, and achievements.

Ensure adherence to VF PMO policies and best practices.

Coordinate vendor selection and evaluation processes, including demos, comparisons, and implementation timelines.

Oversee project financials, ensuring visibility into budgeting, forecasting, and performance against plan.

Manage vendors and hold them accountable for their delivery activities.

Capture lessons learned, promote continuous improvement, and obtain final project approvals.

Facilitate change requests to ensure approval and alignment on the impacts of change on scope, schedule and budget.

Coordinate resources across multiple teams, including IT, business units, and external vendors and contractors, to ensure optimal utilization and project success.

Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations to communicate project progress, outcomes, and strategic recommendations.

Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge And Skills

General understanding of information technology environments including infrastructure, systems and application software is highly desirable

Solid understanding of software development practices, methodologies, tools, and quality processes.

Ability to maintain quality standards while working in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

Excellent written and verbal communication skills at a C Suite level

Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills

Collaboration with stakeholders to understand business needs, processes, and data sources.

Able to identify and coordinate cross-project dependencies.

Education and Experience:

A minimum of 10 years' experience managing enterprise technology projects, initiatives and implementations

Experience in Manufacturing, Plant Operations, Commercial Products, Supply Chain a plus

Technical experience with Oracle, JDE, MuleSoft and Snowflake a plus

PMI or other project management experience and certifications are a plus

Proficiency in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Advanced Proficiency in Microsoft Project, ServiceNow or similar planning tool

Bachelor's degree preferred, advanced degree highly desirable

J-18808-Ljbffr