Associate Project Manager, Commercialization at Ferrara Pan Candy Co., Inc. in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Job Location: Chicago



This role is based out of our corporate HQ located in downtown Chicago and will be a hybrid in-person/remote role.




Want to make an impact?



The Associate Project Manager, Commercialization is responsible for delivering projects with moderate complexity through the Commercialization phase. These projects are comprised of New Product Development (NPD), line extensions, graphic or packaging changes, and/or productivity improvements. This role will partner with the Project Managers through these phases to ensure deliverables, success criteria, timing, and risk/mitigation profile is clear and executed. This individual will also assist in driving integration with the team and ensure alignment with business commitments. This position will manage multiple, simultaneous projects, typically with moderate complexity.




Ways you will make a difference

• Partner with Project Managers accountable for the "end to end" project management to deliver all commercialization project types on time
• Support the Sugar Stage Gate Process and pre-alignment meetings
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Marketing, Manufacturing, Finance, R&D, Procurement, and Packaging Engineering) to support successful project execution
• Manage project timelines, success criteria, issues, risks, decisions, and assumptions
• Communicate project status updates to Senior Management; collaborate with cross functional team to develop recommendations to mitigate issues
• Gather feedback on improving the commercialization process; support the development, documentation, and implementation of process improvements
• Develop go/no-go recommendations based on the viability of a strategic initiative
• Perform special projects as required

• Understanding of process and product workflow management systems and tools preferred
• Experience in project management or consulting preferred
• Results driven
• Strong work ethic with high sense of urgency, accountability, and initiative
• Ability to manage multiple projects, customer specific timelines/requirements and deadlines with an ownership mentality
• Comfortable with conflict and professionally managing to a solution
• Willingness to address issues with urgency
• Effective communicator, both written and verbal
• Business acumen with strong analytical skills
• Continuous improvement mindset with high tolerance for ambiguity

• BA/BS required; quantitative majors preferred (i.e., Operations Management, Engineering)
• 1-3 years of relevant experience minimum preferred
• Experience and skill presenting concepts across diverse audiences
• Proficiency in MS Project and Excel preferred
• Proficiency in SAP software and Business Objects/Business Intelligence preferred