Project Manager

The Project Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end project lifecycle from Feasibility through Post-Launch, ensuring projects are clearly defined, properly scoped, and executed with strong cross-functional alignment. This role owns project planning, Stage Gate governance, timelines, and communication, enabling efficient project execution and seamless transition into commercialization.

The Project Manager serves as the central point of accountability for project progression, driving alignment, managing risk, and ensuring teams deliver on commitments throughout the project lifecycle. This role partners closely with the Commercialization Project Manager, who leads execution from project acceptance through first production and post-launch stabilization.

Primary Responsibilities

Project Planning and Lifecycle Management

• Lead end-to-end projects from feasibility through post-launch closeout
• Establish project scope, objectives, assumptions, and success criteria in alignment with stakeholders
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and milestone tracking within the project management system
• Monitor overall project health, identifying risks, dependencies, and constraints
• Drive accountability across teams to ensure timely completion of deliverables

Stage Gate Governance

• Own and manage the Stage Gate framework, ensuring disciplined progression through each phase
• Define and enforce gate readiness criteria, deliverables, and decision requirements
• Facilitate gate review meetings, ensuring clear decisions, ownership, and next steps
• Proactively drive projects forward, removing bottlenecks and preventing delays

Risk, Scope, and Change Management

• Identify risks, gaps, and dependencies early; develop mitigation plans and escalate as needed
• Manage scope and change control, communicating impacts to timeline, cost, and resources
• Use project data and insights to anticipate challenges and improve planning and execution

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison across Sales, Commercialization, Operations, Quality/Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Procurement
• Ensure alignment on scope, assumptions, responsibilities, and deliverables across all functions
• Drive decision-making by presenting clear options, impacts, and trade-offs
• Partner closely with the Commercialization Project Manager to ensure seamless transition from project planning into execution

Customer Engagement

• Act as the primary project-level contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle
• Lead regular project update meetings, ensuring clear communication of progress, risks, and timelines
• Align and manage customer expectations regarding scope, timeline, and Stage Gate requirements

Post-Launch and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure effective project closeout, including documentation of outcomes and key learnings
• Identify opportunities to improve project execution, Stage Gate effectiveness, and cross-functional alignment
• Drive continuous improvement of project management tools, systems, and ways of working

What Success Looks Like

• Projects move efficiently from Feasibility through Post-Launch with clear ownership and on-time execution
• Stage Gate reviews are timely, well-prepared, and drive clear, confident decisions
• Cross-functional teams are aligned, accountable, and consistently deliver on commitments
• Risks and delays are identified early, escalated as needed, and resolved quickly
• Customers experience clear communication and reliable execution
• Strong partnership with Commercialization ensures seamless handoff into execution
• Improved on-time delivery, visibility, and overall project execution discipline

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Food Science, or a related field; PMP or other project management certification is a plus
• 5+ years of experience in project management, commercialization, or manufacturing environments
• Proven experience managing cross-functional projects from concept through commercialization
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, scale-up, and operational constraints, including GMP/HACCP programs
• Experience with Stage Gate or phased-gate project processes and collaborative project management tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, Asana)
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills, with ability to drive accountability and follow-through across teams