Reporting to the VP of Innovation, the New Product Introduction Program Sr. Manager will be responsible for bringing the global company’s products from concept to shelf in North America region. This position will manage each part of the stage gate process for innovation projects including the creation of a project database to be able to collect project charters, approvals and dashboards will be another important task that the candidate will perform.
Stage Gate is a new process for the global company; therefore, this person will be responsible for designing, developing, and standing up the core capabilities required to commercialize a product through Stage Gate process using defined workflow tools. The ideal candidate will collaborate cross-functionally, manage projects, solve problems, and build the global company Stage Gate process to be able to successfully launch our products for idea to launch.
Position Responsibilities:
- Roll-out a stage gate process and new workflow tool
- Manage the end-to-end commercialization process from concept through to shelf
- Collaborate on process and RACI documentation and lead training for cross-functional teams
- Develop a prioritization framework and communicate priorities to cross-functional team members
- Report out of KPIs associated with the steps in the commercialization process on a monthly basis to senior leaders within global company
- Work with team to develop project timelines & communicate to all stakeholders
- Work with team to help problem solve, remove roadblocks and manage scope changes
- Influence and drive alignment amongst team members and across key stakeholders including the leadership team, marketing, sales, supply chain and R&D
- Lead stage gate meetings to manage feasibility, launch and project lifecycles with cross-functional leadership team
- Responsible for launching products on time & within spec
- Be the gatekeeper for 1 source of truth on projects in the pipeline
- Work closely with the R&D function to ensure product development aligns with market needs, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing capabilities
- Collaborate with the manufacturing team to ensure efficient and effective production of high-quality products and to troubleshoot any production-related issues
- Identify risks and mitigation plans to avoid launch delays and lead the right escalation process accordingly
- Coordinate with IT Team for stage gate automation
Job Requirements
Position Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry or related field desired
- Minimum of eight to ten (8-10) years of experience in a commercialization function with at least 5 (five) years leading the end-to-end commercialization of new product launches (food industry highly preferred)
- Manage and collaborate with direct team and cross-functional associates
- Strong project management skills including timeline development in MS Project or similar software, and cross-project task sequencing
- Experience using Sales Force and workflow tool preferred
- Working knowledge or product manufacturing and the supply chain preferred
- Simplification and process improvement mindset with experience in streamlining overly complex processes
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage a wide range of personality types
- Grit, passion, drive, and commitment to creating and achieving results
- Self-starter, able to project manage and deliver results with little oversight
- Ability to navigate highly matrixed and global organization
- Ability to manage through influence to drive results and accountability from peers and the cross-functional team
- Experience with trials at pilot plant or manufacturing processes preferred