Manager, Project

Job Description

Date

08/2024

Location

1200 Airport Road, North Brunswick NJ

Title

Manager, Project

Department

Executive Management

Reports to

CEO - Chief Executive Officer

FLSA (Exempt or Non-Exempt

Exempt

Role Overview

As a Project Manager, you will oversee the successful launch of new products in the nutraceutical sector, ensuring the timely and effective execution of each phase from concept to commercialization. You will manage cross-functional teams and coordinate all necessary stages, including product design, regulatory approvals, packaging, manufacturing, and distribution. Your ability to navigate complex processes and lead multiple stakeholders will be key to delivering high-quality products on schedule and within budget. This role touches the entire company and requires a technical mind with an eye towards customer experience/Sales. This work of this role is generally independent. The Product Manager is responsible for bringing together a customer team that works collaboratively to bring a new product launch to its completion.

Areas of Responsibility

Project Management:

• Milestone Management: Lead the execution of all stages required to successfully launch new SKUs. This includes managing multi-stage gates such as product design meetings, prototype coordination, specification reviews, regulatory approvals, packaging development, and operations meetings. Ensure seamless transition from product concept to first commercial shipment.
• New Product Introduction: Oversee the review and decision-making process for new product concepts, ensuring alignment with customer needs, industry standards, and company goals. Facilitate product introduction to the market in collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary interface between engineering, manufacturing, procurement, partner suppliers, customers, and other key departments. Develop and implement comprehensive program plans to successfully transition products to manufacturing.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to the ongoing enhancement of business processes related to program management, product development, and operational efficiencies to ensure smooth and cost-effective project execution.
• Project Trade-Offs & Scope Management: Analyze project trade-offs and request adjustments to scope, schedule, and resources when necessary. Ensure that changes are effectively communicated and properly managed to avoid project delays or budget overruns.
• Financial Oversight: Utilize project metrics to monitor financial elements of new product development. Ensure that projects stay on budget and track all financial expenditures for compliance with financial goals.
• Communication & Reporting: Maintain clear and effective communication with management, providing updates on project status, risks, and key decisions. Present key insights and recommendations to senior leadership as needed.
• Prioritization & Multitasking: Manage multiple projects, customers, and priorities under minimal supervision in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Ability to assess and prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts arising from competing priorities or metrics between projects, sites, and suppliers. Work toward consensus while maintaining project schedules, financial targets, and product quality standards.
• Leadership & Team Management: Provide leadership and guidance to both technical and non-technical teams, delegating tasks appropriately and motivating staff to achieve business objectives. Drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure project success.
• Other Duties as Assigned: Take on additional tasks and responsibilities as necessary to support company objectives and project goals.

• Timeline and Budget Management: Develop and manage detailed project plans, set timelines, track milestones, and ensure the project is completed on schedule and within financial constraints.
• Stakeholder Communication: Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders, including senior management, on project progress, risks, and challenges. Facilitate clear communication across all departments involved in the project.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that all new products comply with industry regulations, quality standards, and safety protocols. Work with the quality assurance team to ensure the products meet the company's high standards.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks and proactively work on mitigation strategies to ensure smooth project execution.
• Market Analysis: Conduct market research to identify trends and opportunities in the nutraceutical space, ensuring products align with customer needs and industry demand.
• Product Launch: Oversee the successful launch of new products, ensuring smooth transitions from development to production and commercial availability.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain comprehensive project documentation, ensuring accurate records of development processes, regulatory compliance, and approvals.

Other Responsibilities Including Safety:

• Works in a safe and responsible manner to create an injury-free and incident-free workplace.
• Complies with all job-related safety and other training requirements.
• Keeps management informed of area activities and of any significant problems.

Requirements

Education & Qualification:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in biology, Chemistry or other Life Sciences major will provide added benefits but is not essential for this role.
• 7+ years in a Customer Service role within the Nutraceutical, Vitamin Supplements, Food or Pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
• 1-2 years Project Management experience in a fast-moving consumer goods or food industry (Nutraceutical/Pharmaceutical CS background preferred)

Certifications, Licenses, Credentials:

• N/A

Skills & Ability

• Able to read and interpret regulatory guidelines as they apply to submission documents
• Demonstrate understanding of finished product manufacturing technologies
• Knowledge of industry regulations (Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, Legal) including 21 CFR 210 & 211, cGMPs as related to US FDA and EU EMEA.
• Possesses strong, independent, analytical, and problem-solving skills; able to compile, manage and interpret data.
• Must be a clear and concise communicator, able to prepare effective oral presentations or written documentation

Physical Requirements (lifting, etc.):

• The employee is frequently required to sit (50%), stand, and walk (50%).
• use of hands to finger, handle or feel writing tools and computer keyboard.
• may reach with hands and arms and infrequently may lift up to 30lbs.
• uses desk telephone/cell phone to talk and hear or converses with other employees.
• Must be able to wear all PPE including a lab coat, face mask, booties, gloves, safety glasses/goggles.

Work Environment (Office, Warehouse, temperature extremes, etc.):

• Standard office environment without unpleasant or hazardous conditions. Physical demands involved in office work such as the ability to talk, hear, use hands to handle and feel; work on a computer up to 7 hours a day; close vision required for computer usage.
• Ability to navigate office, lab, and /or plant floor working environments. This position may be located on-site or work from a remote/home office.
• Must have the ability to wear applicable personal protective equipment utilized at this site, including safety glasses/goggles, hairnets, lab coats and safety shoes. Occasionally walks through warehouse or manufacturing workplace and will be required to wear appropriate PPE for each work area.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the job responsibilities, duties, skill, or working conditions. In addition, this document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.