Your Opportunity as the Senior Manager, Portfolio & Project Management

This role is accountable for leading the Sweet Baked Snacks’ portfolio of projects (Innovation, Renovation, Optimization, and Illustration) and key stage gate functions (commercial readiness and gate review). The individual manages the SBA (Strategic Business Area) project managers and coaches cross-functional resources, enabling the project teams to work efficiently and effectively.  The individual will break-down barriers and influence leaders, up to the VP level, to gain leadership alignment and support of top line and bottom-line initiatives. The role will also include responsibility for project management of the individual’s own project portfolio.

Location: Orrville, OH (Close proximity to Cleveland/Akron)

Work Arrangements: Hybrid - onsite a minimum of 9 days a month primarily during core weeks as determined by the Company; maybe more as business need requires

In this role you will:

Manage the portfolio of projects ensuring the SBA is delivering short and long-term objectives and that we have the resources to deliver the projects

Provide leadership on the stage gate and commercialization process, challenging the team to drive speed and agility; lead key meetings for the SBA (Leading Gate Review and Commercial Readiness)

Lead and coach Project Managers, driving consistency in process /approach, and develop their project management and leadership skills

Balance resources across the SBAs in support of growth objectives and SBA priorities

Develop capabilities of the project managers, focusing on balancing process with innovative thinking

Empower project managers to lead and influence cross-functional teams

Coach and develop cross-functional and cross-SBA project resources on the commercialization process and the innovation mindset, to ensure each project is effectively meeting milestones and objectives. 

Share “the why” and tie to strategic objectives

Champion the innovation model: agility, collaboration, creative solving problem etc.

Partner with Portfolio Commercialization, Item Data Governance, and Sales & Marketing Ops to ensure relevant training is created and completed by all Project Managers (i.e. PM Forum Planning, Commercialization Process/System Training, GTIN Exception compliance, etc.)

Provide leadership on innovation, renovation, transformation, and change management projects; effectively manage scope and people to deliver the project success criteria

Communicate project status and all actions needed with project teams and SBA leadership to keep the project on track and ensure an appropriate sense of urgency with visibility

Collaborate across multiple functions and hold teams accountable to deliver results.

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs, and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree

10+ years of experience in Supply chain and/or Operations

10+ years of project management experience - experience managing projects, setting up timelines and providing leadership

Strong understanding of commercialization processes (stage gate innovation launch process)

In-depth understanding of business processes/systems and their interdependencies

Process driven but can creatively solve problems; adaptable with demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity

Strong organizational skills; detail oriented

Ability to balance multiple projects and prioritize against competing needs

Positive, can-do attitude; responds positively in challenging situations

Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships

Strong computer skills, including Excel

Strong written and verbal communication skills; can convey clear messages understood by diverse audiences

Flexible; understands when it is appropriate or beneficial to deviate from the process

Able to travel as needed

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role (not required):

Experience managing people with a demonstrated ability to coach and develop others

Learn more about working at Smucker:

Helping our Employees Thrive

Delivering on Our Purpose 

Our Continued Commitment to Ensuring a Workplace for All 

Follow us on LinkedIn® 

#LI-Hybrid