Senior Project Manager

As a founding member of our rapidly evolving Project Management team, you will provide end-to-end ownership of complex, high-impact new product development (NPD) programs. You will lead multiple cross-functional teams through the NPD process from concept to retail launch, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on cost, and on spec.

Because our PMO is a newly established function, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our operational standards, creating deep and meaningful partnerships companywide, and demonstrating project management’s strategic value. You serve as a strategic partner, facilitator, and escalation point—driving alignment at leadership levels, navigating high ambiguity, and setting the standard for execution excellence.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities are executed in alignment with PMO standards, methodologies, and the Project Management Competency Matrix. Duties include but are not limited to:

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Project & Timeline Management: Own and drive multiple large or complex NPD programs simultaneously through the Phase Gate process. Develop and manage integrated timelines, anticipate delivery risks, and lead cross‑functional teams through trade‑off decisions to protect timing, cost, and scope. This is a leadership role focused on ownership and outcomes, not task execution for other functions. Actively help define and refine our NPD gates and milestones as our PMO matures.

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Product & Cross‑Functional Leadership: Partner closely with Product Managers, Marketing, R&D, Engineering, Sourcing, Operations, Quality, and Creative at both working and leadership levels. Facilitate high‑impact meetings, drive decision‑making, and ensure alignment on priorities, commitments, and deliverables across functions.

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Advanced Risk Management: Proactively identify, assess, and manage risks across programs with significant business impact. Develop mitigation and contingency plans, escalate appropriately, and prevent late‑stage surprises through early visibility and action.

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Stakeholder Communication: Provide clear, concise, and strategic project updates to cross‑functional leaders and stakeholders. Influence alignment and decision‑making by clearly communicating risks, trade‑offs, and recommendations.

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Continuous Improvement: Lead efforts to strengthen PMO processes, tools, and standards. Identify systemic gaps across teams and drive improvements that enable more predictable, efficient, and scalable product launches. Help design, pilot, and champion new PMO tools, templates, and communication cadences that make the team more efficient.

Education & Experience

- Bachelor’s degree required (Business, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, or similar).

- Typically 7–10+ years of professional experience, including extensive ownership of complex NPD programs.

Technical Skills

- Expert proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools.

Management Skills

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Detail‑Oriented: Manages complex, interdependent project details across multiple programs, anticipating downstream impacts to scope, timing, cost, and quality. Identifies patterns and systemic risks early to prevent escalation and late‑stage disruption.

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Communication: Provides clear, concise, and strategic verbal and written communication across all levels of the organization, including senior leadership. Translates complex project dynamics into decision‑ready insights that drive alignment and action.

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Problem‑Solving: Anticipates obstacles before they emerge, quickly assesses root causes, and guides teams toward practical, durable solutions that balance business priorities and execution realities.

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Cross‑Functional Fluency: Demonstrates deep fluency across Brand, Engineering, Sourcing, Operations, Quality, and other partner functions. Uses this understanding to drive effective collaboration, sound trade‑offs, and strong execution outcomes.

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Adaptability & Ambiguity: Thrives in high‑pressure, fast‑changing environments with co