JOB PURPOSE:    

Creates and owns all timelines for multiple complex global projects from initiation through to product launch. Interacts with a variety of functional representatives across many management levels to explore alternative solutions and reach decisions in a manner that meets project timeline commitments.  Must understand task dependencies and how they relate to other steps in the product launch cycle to provide project direction to cross functional New Product Development teams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES     

1. Provides direction and support to NPD team members including representation from teams such as Brand Development, Purchasing, R&D, Package Engineering, Contract Services, Regulatory Affairs, Engineering, Operations, Creative Services, GIC/Planning, and Finance.  Drives all aspects of the project, ensuring team members remain on track and any delays are effectively addressed.  Presents projects at gate reviews to senior leadership to assess project progress, share identified risks and action plans created, and gain approval to continue using resources to keep the projects moving forward. Follows up on any action items from the gate review and keeps team informed of discussions and decisions made by senior leadership. Owns the New Product Development project, including the when and how a project will flow to create the specified product. 

2. Create and manage multiple Project Plans (schedules, budgets, resources, risks and deliverables) securing input from all impacted functional areas of the company.  Sets appropriate timelines, tracks key milestones, and reports project progress against key milestones. Understands timing, relationships between activities, and steps required for each task in the project timeline. Works with NPD team to negotiate reduced timing when necessary. Identifies risks and creates contingency plans based on identified risks with the project team.

3. Utilizes Product Lifecycle Management system to track, document, analyze and report project progress. Acts as a gatekeeper for all project related items, including but not limited to the Project Justification and project timelines. Also owns change control for the Project Justification and managing the scope of the project. Determines preparedness for gate reviews. Also, serves as an advocate for the Product Lifecycle Management system

4. Aggressively monitors critical path activities.  Follows up with team members to ensure project stays on track.  Works to resolve timing constraints if critical tasks are delayed.  Understands how to make recommendations based on the triple constraints priority. Delivers the project successfully - on time, on budget and meeting product costs.  Elevates issues and escalates to upper management as needed to keep project on track and to remove barriers to success.

5. Monitors project progress and can represent the project by regularly providing updates to upper management. Uses detailed understanding of the process and examples from other projects to resolve complex issues and make improvements for future projects.  Provides direction and guidance for project issues and drives issues to resolution. Builds relationships with team members, functional teams and global partners to gain the trust to lead and influence a team.

6. Schedules and conducts cross functional team meetings. Publishes meeting agendas and minutes with identified action items to hold team members accountable. Reviews past due and upcoming activities to ensure team is aware of what is expected to keep the project on track.  Elevates issues at the team level to determine next steps.

7. Understands impact of project decisions on COG%, overhead, direct labor, line decisions, and contract manufacturing costs to provide assessments of where costs can be reduced.