Innovation Project Manager
Apply NowCompany: Giovanni Rana
Location: Bartlett, IL 60103
Description:
Purpose of Position
Our Innovation Project Manager will support the development and execution of short- and long-term- innovation strategies across all Channels in the US and Canada (Retail, Club, Convenience & Foodservice), working in close collaboration with both the technical and the commercial communities of the Company (R&D, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Quality & Food Safety, as well as Marketing, Sales, Finance...) and our Vendors' network.
Key Responsibilities
Support Marketing and Sales to build Customer sell-in decks for new item projects Ensure all projects are launched on time Monitor activities/competitive landscape (product & packaging innovations) in these categories Uncover insights to aid in new category/item development Work with Marketing Packaging Services and Procurement to develop new packaging structures as needed Work in the plant with Manufacturing and Supply Chain on packaging (primary and secondary) technical feasibility and stability
Key Skills & Experience
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Preferred
About us: Rana is an international Company present in over 60 countries, with a turnover close to $1.5 billion. Founded by Giovanni Rana in 1962, the Company has been led for over 35 years by Gian Luca Rana, CEO and pioneer of the internationalization project that has led the Group to become a leader worldwide in the production and marketing of fresh food products (filled and unfilled pasta, gnocchi, sauces, and ready meals). Rana focuses its investments in the following areas: job creation (our workforce doubled in the last five years) and research and development, with the aim of offering Consumers delicious products made of the highest-quality ingredients. The Rana Group has always made innovation its strength, both in the technological field (with the registration of dozens of product and process patents) and in communication. As a family-owned Company, we are united by strong Values and the aspiration of building a better future for future generations. Ethics and sustainability are the cornerstones of our sixty-two-year history, which have made our business healthy and constantly growing.
Today, Rana has 8 factories (6 in Europe and 2 in the US) and is a large family of 3,500 People. The engines of our continued success will keep being innovation, internationalization, passion and constant search for excellence in everything we do.
Rana is committed to providing a workplace of diversity and inclusion. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Decisions related to hiring, compensation, training, evaluating performance, or termination are made fairly. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates and selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.
Our Innovation Project Manager will support the development and execution of short- and long-term- innovation strategies across all Channels in the US and Canada (Retail, Club, Convenience & Foodservice), working in close collaboration with both the technical and the commercial communities of the Company (R&D, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Quality & Food Safety, as well as Marketing, Sales, Finance...) and our Vendors' network.
Key Responsibilities
- New item development:
- Contribute to write the R&D briefs, including product design, pricing, and packaging (primary and secondary)
- Review volume forecast for all new item projects
- Attend bi-weekly new item meetings by Channel
- Work with a cross-functional team to bring new items to market
- Co-lead (with Marketing) new item development of new US & Canada line extensions
- Co-lead (with Marketing) the expansion into new categories/formats and brands
- New category development:
- Assess our Right-To-Win in categories of potential interest for the Company
- Physical packaging development (primary and secondary):
- This role has also an external focus component:
- Help in the preparation of our main Trade shows (Chicago NRA show...) and participate to these shows
- Attend some Customer calls in support of Sales
Key Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's degree
- 10+ years' experience in Project Management mandatory (preferably Marketing, Product Innovation, Packaging)
- Professional working proficiency in Italian is a must
- Experience with Consumer-Packaged Goods industry required
- Strong analytical and organizational skills
- Strong communication (verbal and written), presentation and interpersonal skills required
- Spanish would be a plus
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Preferred
- Collaborative with the ability to work independently
- Strong ability to prioritize, deal with project complexity and manage time pressure appropriately
- Cultural agility: can work with a wide diversity of individuals inside & outside the organization and maintain regular contact with all stakeholders
About us: Rana is an international Company present in over 60 countries, with a turnover close to $1.5 billion. Founded by Giovanni Rana in 1962, the Company has been led for over 35 years by Gian Luca Rana, CEO and pioneer of the internationalization project that has led the Group to become a leader worldwide in the production and marketing of fresh food products (filled and unfilled pasta, gnocchi, sauces, and ready meals). Rana focuses its investments in the following areas: job creation (our workforce doubled in the last five years) and research and development, with the aim of offering Consumers delicious products made of the highest-quality ingredients. The Rana Group has always made innovation its strength, both in the technological field (with the registration of dozens of product and process patents) and in communication. As a family-owned Company, we are united by strong Values and the aspiration of building a better future for future generations. Ethics and sustainability are the cornerstones of our sixty-two-year history, which have made our business healthy and constantly growing.
Today, Rana has 8 factories (6 in Europe and 2 in the US) and is a large family of 3,500 People. The engines of our continued success will keep being innovation, internationalization, passion and constant search for excellence in everything we do.
Rana is committed to providing a workplace of diversity and inclusion. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Decisions related to hiring, compensation, training, evaluating performance, or termination are made fairly. We offer a welcoming and inclusive environment and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates and selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.