Project Manager

Project ManagerThe Project Manager is a strategic partner in delivering business value through consistent execution and empowered teams. This position facilitates projects with accountability, collaboration, and transparency-building strong cross-functional relationships, managing risks, and adapting with agility. The Project Manager focuses on effective scoping, realistic planning, and efficient execution to drive measurable results and ensure every project aligns with and advances Sartori's vision.Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed by the direct leader.Strategic Alignment: Facilitates the development of business cases, ensuring measurable outcomes, clear cost-of-delay analysis, and strong alignment with organizational priorities. Optimizes project planning to accelerate transitions from assessment to implementation while maintaining appropriate risk controls.Scope Management: Leads scope definition to establish objectives, deliverables, and success criteria with full stakeholder alignment, and manages scope changes through structured change control, communicating impacts and securing required approvals.Schedule Management: Develops and facilitates integrated project schedules with clear tasks, dependencies, and milestones, ensuring realistic timelines that are monitored for accountability and optimized through critical path analysis to reduce delays and opportunity costs.Cost Management: Oversees the AFE (Authorization for Expenditure) process from preparation through approvals, monitors project budgets against baselines, escalates variances, and supports accurate cost tracking while reinforcing the financial impact of delays and missed opportunities.Risk Management: Facilitates FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) workshops to identify, assess, and prioritize risks. Ensures mitigation plans are documented, assigned, and actively monitored throughout the project lifecycle.Stakeholder & Communication Management: Drives proactive stakeholder engagement, maintaining transparency through structured updates, dashboards, and communication forums. Ensures alignment, timely decision-making, and responsiveness to project needs.Technical & Equipment Understanding: Applies practical knowledge of equipment and processes used in cheese manufacturing, construction, or related manufacturing environments. Collaborates with Engineering, Quality, R&D, and Operations to interpret technical requirements, support design decisions, and identify risks throughout project planning, execution, and startup.Cross-Functional Leadership: Fosters effective collaboration across all project stakeholders, resolving conflicts, promoting alignment, and removing barriers to maintain project momentum.Governance: Ensures adherence to project management standards, frameworks, and organizational policies. Leads structured reviews, approvals, and accountability processes across all phases of the project.Continuous Improvement: Captures lessons learned, tracks performance metrics, and facilitates knowledge sharing to strengthen project management practices. Drives continuous improvement in processes, tools, and methodologies for future projects.This position does not have direct reports.QualificationsBachelor's degree in project management, manufacturing, engineering, or a related field is required. (In lieu of a bachelor's degree, 7+ years of experience in project management or PMP certification is required.)A minimum of 3 years of project management experience is required.Cheese manufacturing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction or manufacturing industry experience required.Proven record of accomplishment driving a culture of excellence and transformation required.Other knowledge, skills, and abilitiesAlignment with Company Values: Demonstrates behaviors and values that reflect the company's culture. Sartori's core values are family, commitment, authenticity, ingenuity, integrity, and humility.Analytical Acumen: Ability to draw complex conclusions from data using analytical methods.Continuous Improvement: Embodies a mindset focused on continuous improvement, leveraging analytics to drive transformational results.Leadership and Influence: Proven ability to lead and influence teams and stakeholders, driving a data-centric culture across the organization.Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with complex analytical insights to diverse audiences.Decision Quality: Makes informed, timely decisions using a blend of analytical insights, experience, and sound judgment.Learning Agility: Shows a high level of intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to learn and adapt to new analytical techniques and industry trends.Relationship Building: Builds and maintains trusting relationships and alliances both inside and outside the organization, fostering collaboration and innovation.Results driven: Leverages a collaborative approach to achieve results that promote Sartori's success.Risk Management: Identifies, analyzes and mitigates risks through effective assessment and contingency planningBudget Planning: Develops accurate and realistic project budgets based on scope, resources, and timelines. Implements measures to prevent cost overruns and maximize value within budget parameters.Negotiation: Engages in effective negotiations with stakeholders, vendors, and team members to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes through preparation, respecting others' perspectives, and finding common ground while maintaining project objectives.Complex Problem-Solving Skills: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutionsProfessional certifications (CAPM, PMP) are preferred.Work LocationThis is a hybrid position (3 days in-office, 2 days remote) located at our Pleasant View corporate office located in Plymouth, WI.Travel RequirementsOccasional travel may be required to meet the needs of the business (estimated 10%).Physical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.Work Setting/EnvironmentThe worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.