Project Manager

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don’t compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire. We are looking for entrepreneurial spirits who share our passion for bringing happiness to our consumers and who embody our Winning Traits.

To succeed at pladis you need to be purpose-led, resilient and positive to succeed here because we expect pace and agility, we insist on collaboration and demand accountability. If that is your thing, then pladis offers global ambition, a clear Vision and roadmap for success, challenge, and unrivalled opportunities to learn and make an impact

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PURPOSE:

The position is responsible for daily project management of company-wide projects related to new product launches and product changes. Specifically, this individual will manage new product launches from concept approval to manufacturing and launch with respect to day-to-day activities and management. Manage projects and all cross-functional interfaces, oversee the project's financial health to ensure it meets target objectives and adheres to the stage-gate process. Identify and communicate risks, and compile project updates and communications to the project team and wider business.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND DELIVERABLES:

Responsible for managing several projects at any one time. Thereby interface directly with R&D, Category, Marketing, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Business Unit stakeholders, and external parties to achieve desired outcomes.

• Ensure necessary reporting and cross-regional/channel leverage takes place.

• Lead project team meetings to drive completion of tasks, work through bottlenecks, assess risks and raise issues to management. 

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of innovation information throughout the Stage-Gate process, and input into and support the continuous improvement of the system. 

• Co-ordinate platform and project reviews: gather, validate, analyze and present results to project teams and senior stakeholders. 

• Review on a continuous basis the financial deliverables for the project to ensure it meets financial targets set.

• Create and update timelines, develop risk management, status reporting, and manage cross-functional interfaces to ensure timings are met for all projects.

• Follow the stage-gate process and ensure all gate documents are prepared and submitted for approval. 

• Participate in business reviews where relevant. 

• Support the development of the necessary project management tools and templates to meet various customer or business requirements. 

• Support and input into full innovation portfolio reviews. 

• Support the education and roll-out of Global Innovation standards, processes, tools, and methodologies and manage change. 

• Interact with the senior leadership team in providing visibility, analysis, and summaries of innovation projects and processes as required

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential

• Project Planning: Strong skills in creating detailed project plans, defining milestones, and allocating resources efficiently.

• Change Management: Comfort with adapting to evolving project requirements and organizational shifts.

• Stakeholder Management: Proficiency in engaging and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels.

• Risk Mitigation: Ability to identify, assess, and manage risks throughout the project lifecycle.

• Budget Management: Experience in managing project budgets, tracking expenses, and ensuring cost-effectiveness.

• Quality Assurance: Ensuring project deliverables meet quality standards.

Desirable

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: Familiarity with the food or cosmetics New Product Development (NPD) processes.

• Leadership Skills: Strong leadership abilities contribute to team motivation and project alignment.

• Negotiation Skills: Effective negotiation resolves conflicts and drives project progress.

• Quality Assurance: Ensuring project deliverables meet quality standards.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Basic

• Minimum 2-3 years of hands-on E2E project management experience, ideally in NPD

• Communication Skills: Clear and concise verbal and written communication.

• Project management skills, PMP certified a plus.

• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Jira, Trello) and collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Teams).

• Adaptability: Comfort with ambiguity and openness to change.

• Ability to effectively interact, influence, collaborate, and negotiate on tactical and strategic issues with all levels of management and adjust to situations that involve conflicting goals.

• Problem-solving: Aptitude for analyzing situations, identifying solutions, and making informed decisions.

Desirable

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is a plus

• Continuous Learning: Participation in workshops, conferences, or industry events.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES REQUIRED:

Basic

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Highly organized

• Adaptability- comfortable with ambiguity and navigating uncertainty with confidence; can pivot swiftly, adjust plans, and maintain project momentum.

• Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions—both your own and those of team members—is crucial. Empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution skills contribute to a harmonious work environment.

• Resilience: Project managers face setbacks, tight deadlines, and high-pressure situations. Resilience helps you bounce back, stay focused, and lead effectively even during challenging times.

• Attention to Detail: While overseeing the big picture, project managers must also pay attention to small details. Accuracy in documentation, tracking progress, and identifying potential risks ensures project success.

• Time Management: Juggling multiple tasks and deadlines requires effective time management. Prioritizing work, setting realistic schedules, and meeting milestones are essential.

• Conflict Resolution: Conflicts inevitably arise within teams. A project manager skilled in resolving disputes diplomatically fosters a positive team dynamic.

Desirable

• Curious

• Energetic

• Positive

ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS:

Base starting salary at $97,862/yr. The Base pay offered is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business.
We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.