Project Manager, Commercialization

The Project Manager, Commercialization is responsible for leading assigned end-to-end innovation processes, leveraging Highliner Food's Stage Gate Process and MS Project project management tool, The Project Manager is accountable for ensuring the successful delivery of projects in accordance with critical path and supporting processes across the organization, including both Innovation and Renovation. The role also involves managing 40+ Innovation and Renovation projects per year. Project Managers work closely with key cross-functional business teams to ensure flawless execution through all project lifecycle phases.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage Innovation and Renovation projects from Project Brief to Execution, including dealing with ambiguity and managing multiple projects at once.
• Support the Stage Gate process
• Facilitate the technical feasibility phase - documenting the technical requirements in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Update, communicate, and defend project status and progress, ensuring transparency and alignment across all teams.
• Coaching and support project teams on Renovation and Innovation principles, ensuring adherence to best practices.
• Proactively identify risks and roadblocks, and develop mitigation plans to ensure projects stay on track.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director of Commercialization in establishing and identifying process standards for how projects are run, including the development of a common set of practices, principles, and templates.
• Manage the development of new and innovative product projects using High Liner's Commercialization and Stage Gate Process.
• Leverage robust project management communication tools (MS Project, Spreadsheets, Monday.com) to ensure on-time product launches.
• Manage project schedules and stages and escalate project constraints to key business leaders when necessary to ensure successful project completion.
• Review current commercialization process mapping to identify areas of risk and provide continuous improvement solutions.
• Work with internal customers to identify business issues, problems, and/or enhancements.
• Ensure that all key business stakeholders are represented on the project team and help to identify/close skill or knowledge gaps to ensure project deliverables are met.
• Manage, monitor, and report project progress.

Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, or Technical field of study.
• 5-7 years of experience in CPG Project management with demonstrated experience in delivering high-quality business unit projects on time.
• Project Manager experience in the CPG Industry, with a proven ability to lead complex projects and manage cross-functional teams.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) designation is an asset.
• High degree of ambiguity management with strong critical thinking and multitasking abilities.
• Good to expert knowledge in MS Project and project management tools, with the ability to manage projects at the sub-task level.
• Proven ability to motivate and influence people, as well as manage relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to drive speed of execution in the organization and move projects through various phases.
• Thorough, highly organized, and disciplined with a high degree of detail orientation.
• Familiarity with CPG manufacturing industries and understanding of related technical processes.
• Ability to identify risks, develop mitigation plans, and implement process improvements.