Program Manager - PMO

Wakefern Food Corp. is the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and supports its co-operative members' retail operations, trading under the ShopRite®, Price Rite®, The Fresh Grocer®, Dearborn Markets®, and Gourmet Garage® banners.

Employing an innovative approach to wholesale business services, Wakefern focuses on helping the independent retailer compete in a big business world. Providing the tools entrepreneurs need to stay a step ahead of the competition, Wakefern’s co-operative members benefit from the company’s extensive portfolio of services, including innovative technology, private label development, and best-in-class procurement practices.

Summary

The Program Manager will be an integral member of the Business Innovation and Transformation Services team responsible for spearheading tech transformation initiatives and aligning them with the Wakefern strategic plan. The Program Manager will facilitate the >tech_ organization’s diverse portfolio of strategic and transformational projects and programs enabling successful execution. Additionally, the Program Manager will have a significant role in building out the center of excellence within tech for program and portfolio management and will manage several large transformation programs.

Essential Functions

PMO Development and Management

• Enhance the project intake process, ensuring all projects provide an ROI and ensure aligned to business benefits.
• Develop and roll-out best practices in Program Management including methodologies, tools and templates.
• Responsible for maintaining the Portfolio Management Tool (Clarizen – Planview Adaptive Work).
• Establish and curate a repository of project artifacts.
• Develop methodology for establishing project ROI and realization of benefits. Maintain a list of Tech accomplishments and learnings. Incorporate these accomplishments and learnings into the Teach annual report to Executive Leadership and the Board of Directors.
• Develop process for lessons learned and incorporate learnings into continuous improvement of BITS, the Tech Division and Wakefern.
• Train others in Project Management methodology, tools and best practices

Manage and report on Portfolio of Projects within Tech and Wakefern

• Manage the portfolio of projects to meet Wakefern and Tech strategic goals.
• Develop communication to ensure transparency of key projects, highlighting status, roadblocks (risks and issues) and solutions.
• Highlight resource allocation to maximize efficiency and minimize conflicts. Monitor resource utilization and adjust as necessary to ensure project success.
• Manage interdependencies between projects to ensure appropriate timing and sequencing of projects.
• Work with project managers to ensure project portfolio is delivered on schedule and within budget.
• Conduct project reviews with leadership to consult and ensure following project guidelines and governance.

Project Manage Transformation Projects:

• Project manage selected transformation projects aimed at driving significant organizational change and achieving strategic goals.
• Utilize and teach best practice project management to execute with excellence and deliver business value.
• Facilitate cross-functional project teams, including business analysts, consultants and stakeholders from various departments.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration, identify and mitigate risks, resolve issues, and ensure that project milestones and outcomes are achieved.

Other

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including senior management, clients, and external partners. Provide regular updates and reports on project, program and portfolio status, progress, and outcomes.
• Ability to influence change for those who do not directly report to you.
• Seeks out and actively participates in professional and industry conferences to stay on top of upcoming trends and best practices in project, program and portfolio management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT or business-related field
• PMP certification preferred.
• 5 - 10 years of experience in program and portfolio management, with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex business projects, including transformation initiatives such as large software implementations.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to effectively manage and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software (e.g., Clarizen – Planview Adaptive Work, Smartsheet, etc.)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions
• Financial and business acumen, including understanding of how technology and improved processes impact company performance.
• Grocery, CPG and Wholesale experience is a plus

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• This position requires in person office presence
• This position may require travel

Competencies

• Communicate Effectively
• Drive for Results
• Embrace Change
• Develop You
• Build Relationships
• Stay Competitive