Operations Project Manager

Connecticut Innovations is seeking an Operations Project Manager for Bright Feeds in Berlin, CT. The role involves managing project plans, tracking KPIs, and collaborating with various teams to ensure project success in a ClimateTech company focused on converting food waste into animal feed. This in-person position requires strong project management skills and offers the opportunity to contribute to sustainable practices in waste management.
Are you ready to join Connecticut Innovation's vibrant community of innovators? Connecticut Innovations ("CI") is Connecticut's strategic venture capital arm, and we are passionate about serving our portfolio of 220+ companies across various industries, with strengths in life sciences, technology, and climate tech.

Come join Zero Waste Food Management Services in New England | Bright Feeds as an Operations Project Manager

Bright Feeds

Bright Feeds is a well-funded, ClimateTech company that is addressing global food insecurity challenges and an environmental crisis through innovations in waste management. We convert food waste to nutritious animal feed for cattle, hogs, and chickens, a market of more than 100 million tons per year. We utilize proprietary patented technology and systems to significantly increase the volume of food waste we can process, with the capability to measure, monitor, and customize feed content for clients. Our manufacturing process is carbon-negative and can save billions of dollars for companies and local state governments, free up agricultural land to feed billions of people and remove billions of pounds of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Why Join Bright Feeds
• Raised $20M+ in venture capital funding.
• Bright Feeds opened Connecticut's first food-waste-to-animal-feed plant in Berlin (near Hartford) in Q3 2022 after receiving the largest food waste permit in Connecticut history, allowing intake of 450 tons/day over 10 years.
• At capacity, one Bright Feeds plant is equivalent to removing carbon emissions of 33K cars every year.
• Bright Feeds is developing and commercializing patented technology for drying that it believes will significantly enhance sustainability and efficiency in the waste management and food industries.
• Bright Feeds is developing key partnerships with food processors, haulers and other waste recyclers, that will allow the firm to scale both regionally and nationally.
• After the successful launch of its first facility, Bright Feeds is now focused on growth by replicating its technology and processes in additional locations.

About The Role

As Operations Project Manager (OPM), you will be a key team member, accountable for the success of various project, data, and operational initiatives. Key responsibilities include developing and managing project plans alongside project owners, tracking and communicating statuses & KPIs, and providing operating metrics and reporting to the leadership team. Additionally, the OPM will own certain administrative duties and have the opportunity to work cross-functionally in support of dynamic business priorities. The OPM is an in-person position based in Berlin, CT.

Project Management
• Work with project sponsors to define and document initial project scope, budget, and outcomes via project charters.
• Develop, track, and manage project plans to ensure timely and on-budget completion.
• Collaborate with task owners to identify necessary resources, time, and staff.
• Collaborate with Operations and Finance teams to determine costs and expected benefits of projects to calculate ROI. Where required, assist in benefit realization to ensure ROI is delivered.
• Issue and manage POs for projects and track vs. budget.
• Conduct after-action reports to evaluate project performance and share lessons and feedback.

Operations Coordination
• Manage material receiving and distribution process in coordination with Operations team, including data sampling and ownership of ticketing process.
• Develop, track, and communicate KPIs via dashboards and regular team meetings. Create and implement new reporting as needed to support the business's growth.
• Collaborate with finance to ensure quality and accuracy of data operations.
• Coordinate waste management and reporting, including arranging different waste removals and tracking tonnage on forms.

Administrative Support
• Coordinate office operations in Berlin, CT.
• Design and implement processes to enhance vendor management capabilities.
• Issue and track purchase orders.
• Manage personnel records and ensure employees complete all necessary training.

About You
• Problem-solving mindset and tendency to look at challenges as opportunities.
• Excited to roll-up your sleeves and add value across the organization in a dynamic startup environment.
• Highly organized with excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Adaptable and innovative, high level of enthusiasm to be a part of a dynamic and collaborative team.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, including use of pivot tables, formulas, data analysis, and developing and updating dashboards and reporting.
• 3+ years of experience in operations or project management roles.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in business administration, Operations Management, Project Management, Construction Management or a related field preferred.
• Excellent communication skills to effectively track and communicate KPIs across various timeframes.

Preferred Qualifications
• Prior experience working at a startup or in industrial settings.
• Familiarity with or desire to manage software implementations.
• Familiarity with industrial health & safety protocols and procedures.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bright Feeds is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

About the Company:
Connecticut Innovations