MANAGER PROJECTS R&D

Summary: 
The Innovation Project Manager (IPM) is a critical role within the Nice-Pak organization.  This role leads large scale projects and best practices within project management community to delivery of our Branded and non-Branded wet wipe initiatives and enable a culture of strong project management capability across the enterprise.  This strategic position works with multi-functional stakeholders to plan and execute top product launches with excellence.    The role will interface with cross functional teams at all levels of the organization, including   Marketing, R&D, Finance, Quality, Regulatory as well as relevant technical and execution resources in Engineering and/or field operations.  In addition, the role will provide regular updates on progress, project delivery status, risk assessment, financials and next steps to project sponsors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•       Manages or directly serves as Project Manager on our more complex, multifunctional programs.  The role will ensure all projects are appropriately approved and properly managed thru the project management process to achieve milestone delivery and scoped commitments.  Identify, track and mitigate risks with particular attention to critical path activities.  Identify and escalate risk mitigation, issues, and opportunities.   (30%)
•       Embed project management capabilities and culture across the organization   He/she will serve as the stage gate expert identifying opportunities and making recommendations to leadership and train relevant groups on best practices.  This will entail the implementation of standardized processes and tools for project managers in Marketing, Sales, R&D, and Operations leading product changes thru our Supply Chain.  Ensure necessary and appropriate team participation by all functions in planning and project execution.  (25%)
•       This role will recommend and facilitate recommendations from leaders on how to optimize the managed portfolio for better speed and financial outcomes with efficient resource allocation. Monitor project/portfolio KPI and post-launch review criteria, maintaining regular scorecards to focus leadership actions and enable continuous improvement.  (25%)
•       Manage product development through commercialization using stage gate process.  Ensure process adherence and organizational visibility of procedures and projects.  Monitor projects via the enterprise project list to ensure appropriate approvals in place.  Leverage portfolio and project management reports to maintain l visibility of projects in the active pipeline and upcoming to allow functions to ready their resources.  Able to facilitate development of a project fact base with other functions, define options, clearly understand trade-offs and escalate concerns/issues.(20%)
•       Achievement: Deliver projects on time mitigating issues in a quality manner
•       Ownership: Demonstrate strong ownership and advocacy of Nice-Pak’s Integrated Project Management processes (IPM)
•       Partnership Skills: Works well cross-functionally at all organizational levels, communicating effectively and as part of a team to achieve objectives
•       Entrepreneurial Skills: Drives change within the organization to improve continually project delivery and project management culture.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
 

Education Requirements:
BA/BS required. Masters degree in business, marketing, or science required.  Ph.D. degree in a scientific discipline strongly preferred. 

Experience Requirements:
•       At least 3-5 years of experience in Project Management or Business Development in the CPG industry
•       Roles in Supply Chain or Research & Development delivering complex, technical projects to launch
•       Work experience spanning New Product Development, Cost Savings and Manufacturing initiatives
              Prior experience in wet wipes, paper goods and personal/household cleaning is desirable

Competencies:
•       Excellent communication and networking skills across all levels in the organization
•       Strong interpersonal skills to nurture teamwork and foster environment of project management discipline
•       Strong time management skills 
•       Adaptable and flexible
•       Results-oriented, pro-active and willing take on new challenges
•       Detailed knowledge and expertise in project   management
•       Advanced proficiency in MS Project, Excel and Powerpoint

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification desirable

Travel:
May require occasional travel

Work Environment: 
This job operates in a professional laboratory and office environment. This role routinely uses standard laboratory equipment and standard office equipment such as hot plates, pH meter, viscometer, Ross miles foam height apparatus, mixers, balances, computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.