Senior Manager, Technical Services & Project Management

Work is Sweet!

'Quality without Compromise' is not just a motto at See's Candies. It is the most important ingredient in our recipe for success. See's Candies has been in business since 1921 and maintains a reputation for producing the highest quality candy and providing superior customer service.
See's is a leader in the confectionary industry with over 250 retail shops across the USA. We are seeking friendly, enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about providing great customer service.

Job Description Summary:

The Sr Manager, Technical Services & Project Management champions the technical transfer, equipment validation, vendor management systems, and commercialization that enable See’s product pipeline to scale consistently across plants. Within R&D, this role focuses on commercial enablement, process validation and technical project management.

The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between$180k ��� $200k per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience

Job Description:

Commercialization Enablement

• Build and lead the stage-gate technical hand-off process ensuring readiness for full production.
• Drive structured equipment / process validation studies to confirm manufacturability and repeatability.
• Ensure commercialization packages (process parameters, specifications, shelf-life protocols) are complete and accurate.
• Develop structured technical readiness reviews and coordinate cross-functional reviews to ensure smooth launches.

Process & Technology Validation

• Partner with Engineering and Process Improvement to evaluate new equipment, packaging, and processing technologies (as relate to capability to make or protect See’s product and meet target specifications and standards).
• Lead structured technology validations to de-risk full-scale implementation.
• Support long-term technology roadmaps, with a focus on packaging, shelf-life, and sustainability opportunities.

Technical Project Management

• Maintain technical project portfolio:   milestone tracking, project prioritization, risk registers
• Provide dashboards and portfolio report
• Standardize templates and tools for validation trials and technical documentation

Specifications & Technical Systems

• Implement and manage technical documentation systems for knowledge transfer and manufacturing consistency.
• Establish and maintain master product and packaging specifications across all facilities
• Support the governance of job aids focusing on process parameters.

Cross-Functional Support

• Provide technical systems expertise to Operations, Process Improvement, and FSQA.
• Ensure alignment of technical guardrails without owning day-to-day quality or CI programs.

Supplier Quality Program

• Drive Supplier Quality Improvement initiatives to achieve food safety and quality, maintain regulatory compliance, manage risk, and protect brand reputation.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Supplier Qualification Management systems, ensuring they are effective, compliant, and consistently applied across suppliers.
• Oversee supplier qualification, certification management, and validation processes, verifying accuracy, credibility, and robustness.
• Administer and support Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR), coaching suppliers in problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D, Sig Sigma). 
• This job description is not all-inclusive of all duties. Others may be assigned.

Additional R&D and FSQA Support

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with R&D and FSQA Projects, partner with team members to implement mitigation measures as necessary.
• Documentation structure and control for compliance and governance by developing, implementing, and monitoring the documentation hierarchy.
• Lead and manage the continuous improvement of departmental processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and process excellence standards.
• Drive process improvement initiatives within the departments by identifying gaps, eliminating inefficiencies, and standardizing best practices to achieve operational excellence.
• Support with R&D and FSQA project management initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure organizational needs are met.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (with food & beverage manufacturing