At Calavo Growers, we believe quality, teamwork, good citizenship, embodying a will to win and displaying a respect for our people forms the foundation of our mission.
Project Manager - Food Position Overview The Project Manager - Food is responsible for management of all new product projects and facilitating progress via cross functional teams throughout the NPD process from ideation/concept to successful product launch. Lead projects, either initiated by Customer/Sales or from NPD team, through all Stage Gates with a strong emphasis on speed and bringing a competitive product portfolio to market. Strong collaboration is required with all cross functional groups, interfacing with Sales, Product Development, Procurement, Sourcing, Production, Food Safety and Quality Assurance, regional facilities, and other departments as necessary. Effectively communicate and drive projects, ensuring projects stay on track and adapt if necessary to meet business requirements.
Project Manager Food Job Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Primary user and architect of project management tool (Monday.com). Responsible for maintaining functionality in partnership with Monday.com, assessing and implementing new uses for the tool throughout the organization, evaluating annual contract and making recommendations to SLT on updates or changes to scope and training new users.
• Responsible for new project approval process and ongoing information facilitation as project moves through departments.
• Proficient use and understanding of Specification Management tool (Spec Right) to facilitate product information as part of the project management process.
• Responsible for thorough review of project inception (NIR / Project Briefs) and presentation to executive steering committee specifically summarizing scope, fit, opportunity size, risks & obstacles in conjunction with VP.
• Track progress of projects, execute direct KPI's, facilitate execution of indirect KPIs and provide weekly reports as needed.
• Lead weekly Project Priorities meetings to review projects with all key stakeholders.
• Attend weekly progress meetings with sales directors to manage their projects and update timelines.
• Lead large NPD projects to ensure teams meet milestones, critical business and customer deadlines. Align all departments on tasks and timeline utilizing Monday.com project boards and GANTT charting.
• Manage Launch Support team that leads Launch and Disco gates. Act as central point of contact for key business, product development and operations teams to ensure coordinated execution of new product launches or discontinuations at each facility.
• Review project components for accuracy and completion prior to hand-off to Souring, Pricing and Operations teams.
• Create long- and short-term plans, including setting targets for milestones, adhering to deadlines.
• Delegate tasks on the project to employees best positioned to complete them.
• Identify and manage potential risks and liabilities of multiple projects.
• Assist in the definition of project scope and goals.
• Make informed and effective decisions when presented with multiple options for how to progress with the project.
• Serve as a point of contact for teams when multiple units are assigned to the same project to ensure team actions remain in synergy.
• Champion evolution of the NPD/StageGate process along with VP. Identify opportunities to improve process, team management and meeting effectiveness.
• Motivate teams to complete tasks on time.
• Develop understanding of capabilities at all production facilities.

Basic Qualifications

• 2-5 years Project Management experience in food processing environment required.

• Oral Communication - Ability to speak and understand so as to follow directions and get clarification; Respond well to questions.
• Written Communication - Ability to read and interpret written information.
• Organizational Support - Follow policies and procedures. Complete administrative tasks correctly and on time. Support organization's goals and values.
• Planning/Organizing - Ability to prioritize and plan work activities; Use time efficiently.
• Professionalism - Ability to approach others in a tactful manner.
• Quality - Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness. Attention to detail and knowledge of project requirements are critical to success of project execution.
• Adaptability - Ability to manage competing demands and deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Consistently at work and on time. Works a schedule to ensure that sanitation goals and responsibilities are executed. Follow company procedures when absent.
• Dependability - Ability to follow instructions, respond to management direction; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; complete tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• High School diploma required.
• Four-year degree preferred or experience in other relevant discipline or field acceptable.
• Project management certification recommended.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, write and comprehend complex instructions and specifications required. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure.

Computer Skills

• Basic computer skills (Word, Outlook, and Excel) preferred.
• Ability to become proficient in MS Teams, Sales Force, Monday.com and SpecRight.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others through electronic systems.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Attention to Detail
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Self-starter with ability to take initiative
• Ability to handle multiple priorities while producing quality results in an efficient manner with minimal supervision
• Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks

Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee is frequently required to walk; sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

• The base salary we reasonably expect to pay for this role is: $68,300.00-$102,400.00.
• The actual salary for this role will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's skills and experience.
• Please note that base pay is one important aspect of a compelling Total Rewards package. The base pay range indicated here does not include any additional benefits or cash bonuses that you may be eligible for based on your role and/or employment type.

"Calavo Growers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: Calavo is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Calavo are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Calavo will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics."