Associate Project Manager w/CPG PM Experience

LOCATION:

This job will be based in our manufacturing facility in Norwood, MA. There will be occasional travel to Needham, MA, headquarters for meetings. This role will follow our hybrid work schedule.

SCHEDULE:

Typical hours are 9-5, but there will be plant trials at 5am and later into the evenings. A flexible schedule is required to be present for plant trial needs.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative Associate Project Manager to join the Commercialization Department at Home Market Foods. In this key role, you will oversee the full new product development process—from Marketing concept through full-scale commercialization, ensuring projects are executed on time, on budget, and in alignment with company growth objectives. The Associate Project Manager will serve as the central conduit between cross-functional partners, including Marketing, Regulatory, Operations, Procurement, Packaging, Sales, and R&D, driving alignment and accountability across all stakeholders. You will be responsible for managing timelines, tracking milestone progress, and compiling critical launch information to enable seamless product introductions. Success in this role requires exceptional verbal and written communication skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to foster strong partnerships that advance Home Market Foods’ innovation and market expansion goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Under the consultation of the Associate Director of Commercialization, the Associate Project Manager oversees and manages New Product Development initiatives from Conceptualization to Commercialization.
• Collaborate closely with key cross functional partners to ensure everyone is meeting their key deliverables on time in full 
• Manages project timelines and ensures key milestones are met for success at launch
• Act as a conduit between Business Teams and Operations to ensure Home Market Foods initiatives are being achieved
• Partner with Finance to gather inputs for P&L for all new launches and isolate assumption risks
• Successfully perform risk assessments to isolate what it would take to execute projects
• Partner with R&D, Operations and Engineering to ensure all testing is properly accounted for within the timelines
• Collaborate closely with R&D and Marketing to develop products that both a win in the marketplace as well as deliver profit to the business
• Collaborate, partner, and demonstrate leadership as a core member of the Commercialization Team 
• Identifies opportunities to improve existing products, processes, efficiencies, and productivity through a continuous improvement mindset and communicates cross-functionally.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• MS Office proficiency
• Bachelor’s Degree: Project Management preferred
• 1-4 years of consumer packaged goods project management experience, ideally in a food manufacturing environment
• Strong experience managing projects and/or leading a team in a cross-functional environment
• Microsoft Project experience preferred
• Must attend production runs that are sometimes early (5am) or later (6pm)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands below are representative of those that must be met by the team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Must be able to stand for prolonged periods of time
• Should be able to lift 30 lbs.
• Must be able to wear steel-toed boots, a hair net, safety glasses, and ear plugs
• Must be able to follow GMPs and other safety rules

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The manufacturing environment is loud and has very cold and hot temperatures. PPE will be provided to help with comfort in these areas.
• New Product Development tests may run early, at night, or on a weekend.