New Product Development (NPD) Project Manager
hace 2 días
Dallas
About the Role We are a growing fresh and frozen food contract manufacturer serving a diverse portfolio of retail and foodservice brands. As we expand our customer base, develop our own brands and introduce new product offerings, we are seeking a driven, detail-oriented Project Manager to serve as the central hub connecting our Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, and Finance teams. This is a highly cross-functional role critical to our ability to bring new programs and products to market on time and on budget. This is a 100% on-site position based at our Dallas, Texas facility. Remote or hybrid arrangements are not available for this role. Key Responsibilities • Lead end-to-end project management for new customer opportunities, product launches, and line extensions — from initial sales handoff through first commercial production., • Build and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, and milestone trackers, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned and accountable., • Coordinate cross-functional meetings with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance to drive projects forward and resolve roadblocks in a timely manner., • Track project status, communicate progress updates to leadership, and proactively flag risks or schedule variances before they impact delivery., • Manage multiple concurrent projects across different customer accounts, prioritizing effectively to meet competing deadlines., • Facilitate the Stage-Gate or similar new product development process, ensuring all required approvals, documentation, and sign-offs are completed at each phase., • Work with R&D and Operations to manage formula development cycles, pilot runs, production trials, and product validation activities., • Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate project cost tracking, margin analysis, and budget adherence., • Maintain organized project documentation including project charters, timelines, meeting notes, action item logs, and status reports., • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal teams regarding project status, scope changes, and scheduling questions., • Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying process gaps and recommending solutions to increase efficiency and reduce time-to-market., • Assist in onboarding new customers by coordinating internal resources and managing expectations throughout the startup process. Required Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field., • 3–5 years of project management experience, ideally within a food manufacturing, CPG, or contract manufacturing environment., • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment., • Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail., • Strong interpersonal and communication skills — written, verbal, and presentation — with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization., • Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Asana, Monday.com, or similar) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)., • Ability to work 100% on-site at our Dallas, Texas facility. Preferred Qualifications • Experience in food manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or a CPG company in a project management or new product development role., • Familiarity with ai tools (Claude, Gemini, ChatGPT, etc), • Familiarity with Stage-Gate or similar NPD (New Product Development) processes., • Experience working with retail grocery, club, or foodservice customers and understanding brand standards and compliance requirements., • PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or equivalent., • Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar)., • Understanding of food cost structures, bill of materials (BOMs), and manufacturing overhead. Key Skills & Competencies • Project Planning & Execution — strong ability to build and manage detailed project plans from concept to completion., • Cross-Functional Collaboration — comfortable working across Sales, R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance in a matrixed environment., • Problem Solving & Critical Thinking — ability to identify issues early, develop solutions, and escalate appropriately., • Time Management & Prioritization — skilled at managing competing priorities and keeping multiple workstreams on track., • Communication & Stakeholder Management — clear, proactive communicator who keeps all stakeholders informed., • Adaptability — thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift quickly., • Data & Reporting — comfortable with spreadsheets, dashboards, and project reporting tools., • Accountability — takes ownership of outcomes and drives teams to meet commitments. Work Environment This role is based full-time at our Dallas, Texas manufacturing facility. The position primarily operates in an office environment. Occasional travel to customer sites or industry events may be required. Why Join Us We are a dynamic, growing contract manufacturer with a team that takes pride in delivering high-quality food products for some of the most recognized brands in retail and foodservice. You will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business and grow your career in a collaborative, hands-on environment. We are very entrepreneurial and believe in creating an environment that builds and promotes talent from within.