Coordinator, Innovation Projects (Meridian)

Position Profile:

The Coordinator for Innovation projects is responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing product development timelines and milestones across the CURiO brand portfolio. This position collaborates with other departments, making sure all team members stay on track, on budget and on company strategy to meet project due dates. The Project Coordinator collaborates across CURiO’s departments, working closely with: Design, Brand, R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Marketing.

***This role is for candidates who reside within 60 miles of our office in Starkville, MS***

Work Responsibilities:

• Develops, maintains and manages product development project timelines from inception to completion for all assigned CURiO projects.
• Responsible for the organization and effective flow of information between team members and departments.
• Maintains a general understanding of the cross-functional work and business processes required to develop and deliver new product.
• Sets up and maintains project folders, inputting key project information in appropriate documents. Archive forms in appropriate folders.
• Leads, prepares and manages weekly team and other project meetings as needed throughout the development process.
• Works closely with Brand, R&D and Design team to outline key milestone dates upfront in the project timeline to gain alignment and identify any initial concerns.
• Works closely with Brand team for forecasts, copy grids, costing updates, and overall project progress.
• Works closely with external vendors, helping to maintain and build strong partnerships.
• Coordinates costing meetings with appropriate project resources, gaining alignment on margin goals and accuracy.
• Identifies when projects are off track, scheduling roundtable meetings for team to re-align.
• Responsible for routing art files, monitoring team members progress to ensure routing is completed in accurate and timely manner.
• Responsible for project transition to operations team, prepping appropriate documents to ensure all details of project launch are communicated accurately and thoroughly.
• Supports on additional varying tasks throughout the development process, such as but not limited to quoting requests, marketing samples, mock-ups, etc.
• Attends weekly Project Management status to outline goals for the week.

General Responsibilities:

• Supports CURiO Cornerstones and strives for individual leadership by using cornerstone behaviors in the workplace and in daily decision making.
• Follows all policies and procedures of the company.Works cooperatively with all departments, maintaining a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner that promotes cooperation with co-workers, supervisors, and managers.
• Actively seek individual development through taking advantage of opportunities for skill enhancement. l Keep up to date with the latest best practices, trends, concepts, and regulations in the specific job area.
• Manages time effectively, meet personal goals and work effectively with other members of the team to meet CURiO goals.
• Follows all safety guidelines and polices. Makes supervisor/manager immediately aware of any observed safety issue. Keeps work area clean, safe, and organized.

Position requires extended work hours as necessary to meet seasonal deadlines. Performs other work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent years of relevant experience
• Two years’ experience in a Project Coordinator or similar role.

Computer and/or software qualifications:

• Basic level of proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook
• Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Core Competencies:

• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and across multiple departments, managing a large volume of projects simultaneously
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail, well organized, and systematic in working
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Strong presentation and writing skills
• Excellent initiative and follow-through
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with business partners
• Tolerance for moderate stress
• Self-Driven, able to work independently

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in consumer products; beauty or personal care, highly desired
• Experience in product development
• Completion of project management courses and/or certification

Travel Requirement: Less than 5%

Hybrid Working Environment and Physical Demands:

• General office or home office environment: Works at a desk in a well-lit, air-conditioned cubicle/office/home office, with moderate noise levels.
• Ability to sit for hours at a time, viewing computer monitor on a constant basis. Some walking and standing relative to interaction with other personnel.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move items weighing 10 – 15 pounds.
• When in a facility, occasional exposure to dusty and fragrant conditions, varying temperature levels, work near moving mechanical parts, and high noise environments is possible.

Health & Welfare Benefits

Eligibility begins on the first day of the month following 30 days of employment unless noted otherwise:

• Medical, Dental, Disability Insurance (cost shared)
• Life/ AD&D Insurance (employer paid)
• Additional voluntary benefit offerings (employee paid): Vision, Accident, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Voluntary Term Life Insurance, AD&D
• 401(k) – After 6 months of employment on next quarterly entry date

** Note: This job description does not restrict CURiO’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. It does not alter the at will employment relationship between the company and the employee.