Project Manager - Speed to Market

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

The Project Manager in Speed to Market (STM) will manage a large & complex portfolio of Category Business Unit projects focused on product innovation, network optimization, risk mitigation, product maintenance, acquisition integration, or cost savings.

This professional will have to live in the Buffalo NY area since in office collaboration is necessary Tuesday - Thursday. 

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

Project Management: 
Partner with other category STM Project Managers, Marketing Product Managers and Category Business Unit leaders to execute the category’s New Product project portfolio contributing to Innovation sales and cost savings targets.
Blend traditional project management principles with STM process best practices to best fit and achieve the business objective of projects assigned - including acquisition integration projects
Lead large cross-functional teams to successful execution of project objectives while achieving all project related target metrics and KPI’s
Drive accountability of all team members using the STM RACI chart
Lead project through Gate Approval recommendation based on changes to resources, timing, scope or financials, following the approved STM process
Identify project risks and develop contingency plans with recommended solutions
Support CBU Business Leader(s) in managing customer expectations for project deliverables and stakeholder communications
Advocate for project team members - including capacity discussions, action item accountability, 
Demonstrate STM system expertise to ensure project data accuracy in Accolade and SharePoint, and utilization of PowerBI to manage current portfolio projects and related KPI’s
Serve as Back-up for Project Managers within STM as needed
Portfolio Management:  
Function as single point of contact for assigned strategic category supplying portfolio management expertise, direction, and recommendations to Team, STM Leadership & CBU Leadership
Connect category strategy to current STM portfolio; provide project execution updates to CBU leadership and recommend project portfolio corrective actions to ensure project portfolio is aligned with target strategy and key KPI’s 
Review incoming project requests, validate project type, assign STM Lead and ensure proper triage/kick-off execution in accordance with process
Assess, prioritize and assign non-project activity for execution without interruption to STM projects in process, in order to speed decision making, drive accountability and meet timelines
Manage Open, Hold, and WTC project statues to ensure validity of status, accuracy of project details, and adherence with target portfolio size
Lead portfolio review meetings with business leads and CBU Leader, including facilitating on-deck/back-log project discussion & prioritization 
Manage and partner with STM team to assess assigned category NWT resource capacity, develop corrective action plan, and proper use of capacity escalation process to STM/CBU Leadership
Process Leadership and Acumen: 
Become Subject Matter Expertise in STM process and category proficiency to support project execution excellence
Serve as STM process champion including supporting continuous improvement process, documenting new processes, and STM Process Playbook maintenance  
Provide guidance, mentorship, and coaching to category APM and STM Coordinator to deliver process speed and efficiency
Train and coach cross-functional NWT project team members within category assigned to build STM process execution excellence and ensure adherence to STM process 
Serve as acquisition integration STM process expert for assigned category

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field with 5+ years of general business and/or marketing experience, MBA preferred
• Minimum 3 years project management experience managing complex, strategic projects 
• Experience with New Product Development principles and Stage Gate Proces