Lead Project Manager

Lead Project Manager

The Lead Project Manager is responsible for managing a team of Project Managers, Associate Project Managers, and Project Coordinators, as well as supporting Customer and BMSC projects from initiation through completion.  The Lead Project Manager also mentors and guides the team and ensures alignment with organizational goals.  This role is crucial in driving Product Availability Dates (PAD) and On Time In Full (OTIF) service, integrating these metrics into daily operations, and meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).  This position collaborates cross-functionally with Outside Sales, Operations, Purchasing, Production, Engineering, R&I, Quality, and Supply Chain to ensure projects are completed correctly and on time.  This role also aligns with strategic initiatives to enhance customer relationships.  Additionally, the Lead Project Manager regularly engages with internal teams to collaborate on new innovations and manufacturing capabilities and is responsible for driving progress on said innovations with the teams and the company.  This role involves leadership, strategic planning, and drives performance for their team, the KPIs, and the company.

• Execute established launch processes to ensure Right the First Time (RFT) and On Time In Full (OTIF) for Customer Launch and BMSC projects.
• Manage internal and external cross-functional teams to coordinate project timelines and milestones, ensuring alignment with customer Product Availability Dates (PAD).
• Collaborate internally, addressing priorities and complexities within an agile production environment, and providing regular status updates to key stakeholders.
• Align production constraints and capacity with customer requirements through collaboration with Master Scheduling and Outside Sales.
• Monitor and assess product launch risks, develop mitigation plans, and communicate effectively with key stakeholders to minimize impacts.
• Facilitate clear communication with Packaging Engineering and Process Engineering to ensure the successful execution and timing of line trials and pilot batches.
• Conduct post-launch evaluations to assess successes and key learnings from each project.
• Support investigations and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) for quality issues that arise to ensure timely resolution and release of Finished Good units for projects.
• Integrate Sales needs with capacity planning and scheduling, resolving conflicts as they arise.
• Stay updated on recent developments, innovations, and technologies that could enhance products and manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with Quality, R&I, Outside Sales, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive profitable business growth.
• Establish, report, and present KPIs.
• Assess training and development needs for direct reports, ensuring continuous skill and productivity improvement.
• Evaluate the performance of direct reports, setting goals to drive ongoing success.
• Understand customer needs, competitive dynamics, emerging technologies, and available resources.
• Ensure strong, healthy, and collaborative partnerships with internal teams.
• Manage and develop the team, ensuring strong and experienced Project Mangers, Associate Project Managers, and/or Coordinators.
• Perform additional duties as required by the company and customers.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Project Management, timeline management, and execution. 
• Solid understanding of cosmetics and OTC manufacturing processes, capabilities, and operational requirements.
• Understanding of Supply Chain, MRP, and Demand Planning.
• Basic understanding of Quality and Development Processes.
• Proven oral and written communication skills to clearly and concisely present information effectively.
• Strong analytical skills, including thorough risk assessments.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to mine data for key insights, extracting essential information from various sources and translating it into clear, concise summaries.
• Proficient in Excel and Microsoft Office.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 3-5 years of related experience in beauty, retail, or personal care industry.
• 2 plus years of experience in Contract Manufacturing of CPG products.
• Project Management experience required.
• Experience in managing a team.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets.

• Regularly sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit, balance, climb, stand, bend, squat, squeeze, kneel, turn, crouch, stoop repeatedly.
• Physically able to lift 25 pounds occasionally.
• Frequent exposure and/or to varying temperatures, loud noises, heavy machinery, fumes, or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, electrical, chemicals, and vibrations.
• Frequent use of computer screen and use of headphones.