Project Manager - Drive Big Projects Behind Our Chocolate Production
15 days ago
Lindon
CandyCo is seeking a highly organized, client-facing, and execution-driven Project Manager to lead and coordinate manufactured food projects for major brands. Acting as the "quarterback" of the project lifecycle, you will own initiatives from concept through launch-whether it's a new product, packaging update, regulatory change, or customer-driven request. You'll be at the center of it all-aligning timelines, managing deliverables, steering communication, and ensuring every project moves smoothly across Sales, R&D, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and our customers. Your work directly impacts our speed-to-market, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction. If you know your way around retailer portals (Walmart, Target, Amazon), 1WorldSync, ERP systems, and packaging workflows-and you thrive in a fast-moving, detail-rich environment-you'll shine here. Duties & Responsibilities Project Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination • Serve as the primary lead for assigned projects, collaborating with Sales, R&D, Operations, Procurement, QA, and Customer Service., • Create project briefs and develop clear, comprehensive roadmaps with timelines, task owners, dependencies, and resource requirements., • Assign and coordinate project teams while controlling scope, minimizing risks, and ensuring accountability., • Lead recurring project updates, track progress, monitor deliverables, and generate status reports., • Act as the main client-facing contact for assigned projects., • Deliver timely, proactive updates on project milestones, launch timing, and key next steps., • Partner with customers to finalize specifications, packaging requirements, and launch expectations., • Create, review, and manage packaging dielines with external design partners., • Conduct fit tests to ensure packaging meets retailer, functional, and regulatory requirements., • Oversee artwork approvals, regulatory reviews, and cross-functional validation processes., • Oversee new item setups including specs, UPCs, BOMs, batch sheets, and technical documentation., • Coordinate procurement and ensure timely availability of ingredients, packaging, and equipment., • Schedule trials, production runs, customer visits, and sample preparation., • Ensure flawless execution during launch by aligning R&D, Operations, QA, and Production., • Conduct post-project evaluations to surface wins, opportunities, and improvements., • Cross-train with other Project Managers to ensure seamless coverage., • Client-facing communicator-professional, personable, and proactive., • Action-oriented leader-drives momentum and removes roadblocks., • Detail-driven & organized-manages complex timelines with precision., • Collaborative team player-engages and influences cross-functional stakeholders., • Strategic & tactical thinker-balances high-level goals with execution detail., • BA/BS in Business, Operations, Food Science, or a related field., • 3+ years of project management or operations leadership experience within food, CPG, or retail., • Experience with retailer portals (Walmart, Target, POL, 1WorldSync)., • Hands-on experience with dielines, fit tests, and packaging workflows., • Strong project management fundamentals with on-time, in-scope delivery history., • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)., • Experience with ERP, EDI, or PIM systems., • Familiarity with design/branding partners (Schawk, Equator, Sun Branding, Periscope)., • Exposure to plant operations, QA processes, customer audits., • Ability to work overtime, weekends, or holidays as needed., • Mix of office-based work and on-floor production walkthroughs., • Ability to stand, walk, sit, and lift up to 50 lbs unassisted., • Compliance with all safety, PPE, and ergonomic requirements., • Non-slip shoes, hair restraints, beard nets (if applicable), gloves, and all PPE as required., • Ability to stand, walk, lift, crawl, kneel, twist, and reach as needed.