Project Manager

Project Manager

The Project Manager leads complex, cross-functional research and development projects and programs, with a strong focus on top-priority innovation and renovation initiatives within frozen foods. This role plans and drives projects end-to-end, ensuring alignment with Idea-to-Launch (I2L) processes and key corporate strategies, while orchestrating multidisciplinary teams to deliver against defined business cases and key success criteria.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple R&D projects and programs, focusing on top-priority innovation and renovation initiatives across frozen foods businesses.
• Manage cross-functional project teams including marketing, quality assurance, engineering, product development, and other functions, promoting a collaborative and team-building atmosphere for efficient and flawless project execution.
• Plan projects end-to-end, ensuring alignment with Idea-to-Launch (I2L) processes and key corporate strategies and commitments.
• Define project roles and responsibilities and ensure clarity of expectations for all team members.
• Develop effective resource plans, ensuring the right resources are available at the right time to meet project needs.
• Create strong project team spirit and foster a culture focused on delivering high-quality results on time, within budget, and meeting defined quality standards.
• Effectively control scope changes through proactive and transparent communication with stakeholders.
• Manage and engage project stakeholders, negotiating with key decision makers and business partners both internally and externally.
• Maintain vertical and horizontal communication across R&D units, business partners, markets, strategic business units, and headquarters.
• Simplify complex information into clear, simple concepts for diverse audiences to support understanding and decision-making.
• Create synergies through effective networking with all relevant R&D units, business partners, markets, strategic business units, head office, and external partners.
• Orchestrate cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams (R&D, SBU, Zone, Markets) to achieve project key success criteria and deliver against the business case.
• Facilitate and coach within the project team to enhance interaction and collaboration between various specialists.
• Develop junior project managers capabilities in project management through regular coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of project management excellence, consistently driving projects to successful completion.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of a Bachelors degree in Science or Engineering, or equivalent, with sound knowledge of project management.
• At least 5 years of project management experience, preferably in R&D and/or within the food and beverages industry.
• At least 7 years of experience in R&D operations, markets, and/or commercial functions.
• Proven track record of strong project management, delivering complex projects successfully.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills with internal and external decision makers.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP/PMI) certification is a plus.
• Experience leading innovation and renovation projects in frozen foods or related categories is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with Idea-to-Launch (I2L) processes and corporate innovation frameworks.
• Experience working with cross-regional or global teams (R&D, SBU, Zone, Markets).

Work Environment

The role is based in Solon, OH, with consideration for remote work arrangements. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams across R&D, business units, zones, and markets, working in a professional, project-driven environment that emphasizes innovation, structured processes such as Idea-to-Launch (I2L), and strong stakeholder engagement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Solon, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $72.00 - $86.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.