Project Manager-Food

Urban Farmer is seeking a Project Manager-Food in Manteno, IL, responsible for overseeing new product development and process improvements. The role involves managing project lifecycles, coordinating cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and optimizing manufacturing processes. Key responsibilities include budget management, risk mitigation, and stakeholder communication. Ideal candidates should have technical expertise in food formulation and strong project management skills.
Job Summary

The Project Manager at Urban Farmer is responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of new product development and process improvement initiatives, ensuring seamless execution from concept through market launch. This position will collaborate closely with Sales, Manufacturing, QA/Safety, Procurement, and external partners to drive innovation, deliver market-ready products, and maintain compliance with industry standards. The Project Manager will also lead teams, manage resources, and ensure that projects are completed on time, on budget, and meet Urban Farmer’s high-quality standards.

Project Management

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Lead and manage the end-to-end product development lifecycle using a stage-gate process, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
• Define project scope, develop project plans, create schedules, and ensure projects are executed according to plan.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project timelines, milestones, and risk management plans.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners, including suppliers, to ensure project success and alignment with Urban Farmer’s business goals.

Commercialization
• Oversee scale-up processes, optimizing formulations and manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and product quality.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing teams to facilitate a smooth transition from R&D to full-scale production.
• Ensure all product launches meet stringent regulatory, safety, and quality standards through collaboration with regulatory specialists and quality assurance teams.
• Track project expenses, manage budgets, and provide cost-control measures throughout the lifecycle of each project
• Ensure alignment across departments to drive project success and maintain high levels of motivation and productivity within the project teams.

Regulatory Compliance And Quality Assurance
• Ensure product compliance with FDA, USDA, and other global regulatory standards by working closely with Regulatory and Quality Assurance teams.
• Develop and implement robust testing, validation, and documentation protocols to uphold product specifications and safety requirements.

Stakeholder & Supplier Management
• Communicate effectively with and manage expectations of internal stakeholders, including cross-departmental teams, as well as external partners and suppliers.
• Oversee procurement and sourcing of raw materials, equipment, and supplies, ensuring quality standards are met and timelines are adhered to.
• Manage relationships with suppliers, including contract management and performance monitoring.

Risk Management & Change Management
• Identify potential risks that could impact project timelines, budgets, or quality, and proactively develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Handle project scope changes effectively, ensuring necessary adjustments are made while minimizing disruptions to timelines and project outcomes.

Key Competencies And Skills
• Technical expertise in food formulation, testing methodologies, and scale-up processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Project Management tools and analytical methods.

Qualifications

Education and Certifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Food Science, Engineering, or a related field required, with Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred, or relevant experience in project management within the food industry.
• 3+ years of experience in R&D, product development, or commercialization within the food industry.
• Proven track record in successfully launching new products from concept to commercialization.
• Strong familiarity with regulatory compliance, quality assurance practices, and manufacturing processes.

Work Environment
• Occasional work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures and loud machinery noises may be required.

1st