Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Heartland Food Products Group is a dynamic, fast-growing organization committed to making a positive impact in the world. We are passionate about building brands and foster a results-driven culture that provides opportunities to rapidly learn and develop your career. Heartland Food Products Group makes SPLENDA® Brand Sweeteners, as well as JAVA HOUSE® Cold Brew Coffee and other product lines. SPLENDA® is the #1 recommended sweetener brand among healthcare professionals and includes a broad portfolio — the iconic original SPLENDA® product line, SPLENDA® Diabetes Care Shakes, SPLENDA® Stevia, SPLENDA® Zero liquid, SPLENDA® Monk Fruit, and SPLENDA® Allulose.

This is not a remote opportunity.

Scope :

The Project Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the effective and efficient execution of strategic projects, driving delivery on time, within budget, and on strategy. This individual is responsible for establishing and championing best-in-class project management methodologies, standards, and tools across the organization. The Project Manager provides end-to-end leadership for a diverse portfolio of initiatives, including product development and commercialization, marketing initiatives, major operational transitions, supply chain optimizations, and other strategic projects requiring seamless cross-functional collaboration. This role involves close partnership with both internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives and communicate project status and performance to leadership across the supply chain.

Essential Duties and Key Responsibilities :

• Project Leadership & Execution
• Lead Complex Projects : Drive the planning, execution, and closure of critical supply chain and operational initiatives, such as major product transitions, system implementations, supply chain network optimization, key cost-saving programs, and supplier transitions.
• Full Project Lifecycle Management : Oversee project health against established timelines, identify and proactively mitigate risks, and provide leadership to measure variance in scope, schedule, cost, and quality for each project.
• Cross-functional Collaboration : Partner with functional heads (e.g., Operations, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, Marketing) to translate strategic requirements into actionable, measurable projects and ensure adequate resourcing for short-term and long-term goals.
• System and Process Implementation : Own the cross-functional implementation of new systems and processes to enhance speed, foster growth, and improve productivity. Collaborate across the company to identify, implement, and leverage project management best practices and tools.
• Risk Management & Mitigation : Proactively identify and assess project risks, employing defined processes and tools for swift resolution or escalation. Develop and prioritize risk management strategies based on a deep understanding of key processes and systems to optimize delivery and minimize exposure.
• Continuous Improvement & Optimization
• Process Enhancement : Evaluate project improvement opportunities and effectively implement enhancements to advance projects and overall project management maturity.
• Documentation & Best Practices : See special projects through to completion, thoroughly documenting results, lessons learned, and best practices for future reference and organizational knowledge.
• Manufacturing & Packaging Optimization :

Continuously improve the packaging specifications system in collaboration with Operations, Quality Assurance, Purchasing, and Marketing teams.

Ensure manufacturing specifications are current and accurate through regular inspection.

Identify and implement improvements in palletization optimization and material design to drive cost efficiencies.

Collaborate with packaging materials vendors on key service points, ensuring compliance with specifications and fostering continuous improvement.

Analyze technical data and drawings to determine appropriate packaging material attributes that meet customer specifications and production capabilities.

Contribute innovative ideas to improve packaging technologies and resolve consumer application-related challenges.

Support end-of-life (EOL) activities with Purchasing, Operations, and Commercialization for discontinued packaging.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence

Influence & Communication : Effectively influence stakeholders at all levels to facilitate decision-making and ensure project alignment.

Commercialization Handoff : Manage successful handoffs from plant trials of new products, working closely with Manufacturing, QA, and Engineering to ensure efficient commercialization.

Qualifications :

Required :

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, or a related technical field.

Three to five years of experience in project management.

Preferred :

Experience in the Food Processing industry, particularly with consumer-packaged goods.

Background in either product development or supply chain.

Strong knowledge of packaging materials (e.g., corrugated, paperboard, rigid plastics, flexible pouches) and characteristics for packaging structural design.

Working knowledge of packaging-related manufacturing processes, including but not limited to printing, die-cutting, thermoforming, injection molding, and extrusion blow molding.

Experience with TOPS / CAPE pallet building software.

Key Competencies :

Project Management Expertise : Demonstrated knowledge of project management concepts (e.g., cost and time management, scope management, quality control) to effectively execute assigned tasks and lead project teams. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a strong plus.

Leadership & Management : Proven track record of strong people leadership, management, and development.

Strategic Thinking : Broad functional experience in innovation and / or supply chain management, with a demonstrated ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives. Approaches problems from multiple angles, identifies new areas of risk, and leverages emerging trends to anticipate and mitigate issues.

Business Acumen : Strong business acumen and the ability to oversee project budgets effectively.

Problem-Solving : Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving challenges.

Physical Demands :

Ability to physically perform functions such as climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting (up to 40 pounds), grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Ability to work seated using a computer and phone for extended periods.

Ability to work extended hours, including daily overtime and occasional weekends, as needed.

Possess visual acuity to accurately document company records.

Continuous walking throughout plant and distribution center facilities may be required.

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