Director, Project Management & Commercialization

Director, Project Management & Commercialization

The Director of Project Management and Commercialization is responsible for managing the Supply Chain process that establishes and sustains robust New Product and Cost Innovation pipelines while also overseeing commercialization of all ingredients and packaging into Panera’s distribution system.  The ideal candidate is a champion of process development within the organization, leveraging a continuous improvement mindset to optimize against ever-changing business needs.  This role collaborates closely with project teams to drive timely project execution that meets strategic goals.  This position requires a highly motivated, dynamic, flexible leader who is influential across the organization, has executive-level presence and truly enjoys stewarding process to achieve results.

Responsibilities:

• Predict resources needed to reach objectives and manage resources in an effective and efficient manner
• Maintain and continuously optimize Supply Chain Stage Gate process leaning into data-driven decision making and leveraging tools and templates for process standardization and efficiency
• Develop and manage a detailed project schedule and work plan
• Provide project updates on a consistent basis to various stakeholders about strategy, adjustments, and progress, including senior leadership
• Build strong working relationships within company; highly cross-functional role
• Drive key strategic sourcing initiatives from idea to implementation in support of delivering against our enterprise goals
• Ensure all Cost Innovation projects are executed in accordance with Panera’s established NPD Process, and are captured on the Innovation Pipeline
• Facilitate supply chain discussions regarding project risks, contingency planning, and test and launch timing to obtain alignment or escalate as necessary
• Provide monthly portfolio-level tracking and reporting of all projects based on targeted launch dates and other key deliverables to Supply Chain leadership
• Attend monthly senior executive-level meetings and align key stakeholders on Supply Chain readiness for all new products and Cost Innovation projects
• Oversee Commercialization of all ingredients and packaging into the Panera system by ensuring project owners are adhering to Panera’s established Commercialization process and project teams are fully engaged and accountable for tasks
• Manage list of active Commercialization projects with accurate, timely updates, action items and costing information.  Provide prompt and detailed follow up to cross-functional team.
• Optimize Commercialization process to ensure all projects completed in the most efficient manner and solve for identified gaps

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of relevant experience or MBA and 3+ years of relevant experience
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint); Knowledge of PM software tools preferred
• Strong process, project, organizational and time management skills; Project Management (PMI) and/or Lean/Six-Sigma certification a plus
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Able to prioritize and manage workload in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
• Collaborative working style; Takes pride in team achievement
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate across the organization
• Highly analytical; Leverages evidence-based decision-making
• Up to 20% travel may be required

Competitive Pay $155,477-$217,667 annually.

The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

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