Summary:

The Project Manager II is responsible for leading cross-functional product development projects from concept approval through product sunsetting. This role manages multiple concurrent projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and aligned with business objectives and the organization's product development process. Serving as the central point of coordination across Research & Development, Marketing, Product Portfolio, Regulatory/Compliance, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Manufacturing, external partners, and international markets, the Project Manager II drives project execution, proactively manages risks, facilitates decision-making, and ensures successful product launches.

Essential Functions:

• Lead multiple product lifecycle projects from concept approval through product sunsetting, ensuring alignment with business priorities and the organization's product development process.

• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, scope, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external partners, including Research & Development, Product Development, Marketing, Product Portfolio, Quality, Regulatory/Compliance, Supply Chain, Finance, Manufacturing, Procurement, vendors, and international markets, to achieve project objectives.

• Identify, assess, and manage project risks, issues, dependencies, and change requests; develop mitigation strategies and escalate issues when appropriate.

• Monitor project progress, track budgets and financial objectives, maintain accurate project documentation, coordinate reviews and approvals, and provide timely status updates to stakeholders and leadership.

• Lead project team meetings, facilitate productive discussions, resolve conflicts in a professional and collaborative manner, and foster strong cross-functional relationships to ensure alignment, accountability, and timely execution, including occasional after-hours calls with international markets as needed.

• Serve as the primary communication point for assigned projects, deliver effective presentations, communicate complex or sensitive information with diplomacy and sound judgment, and participate in business reviews and portfolio meetings as required.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance project management processes, tools, and best practices.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple cross-functional projects simultaneously.

• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, project lifecycle management, risk management, and cross-functional execution.

• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams, build consensus, and drive accountability without direct authority.

• Proficiency with Workfront or similar project management software, as well as Microsoft Office Suite.

• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize competing demands and adapt in a dynamic business environment.

Required Education and Experience:

• 3-5 years of project management experience, preferably in product development, consumer goods, manufacturing, or a related industry.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Project Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.3-5 years of experience in managing mid-sized projects.

• PMP certification or equivalent.

• Experience supporting change management initiatives and process improvement.

• Experience managing international product development projects or coordinating with global markets.

• Experience with Oracle JD Edwards or other ERP system.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This job may not have supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as a laptop, desktop, smartphone, and photocopiers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Essential oils are worn and/or diffused in the work environment.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This position requires the incumbent to be physically present at the assigned worksite. The regular schedule is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an hour lunch, Monday through Friday. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Employees are also expected to work at least one non-convention farm event a year and to work at the annual company convention.
Exact hour requirements can be reasonably modified as necessary for the business needs by the employee's manager.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to type, file, and occasionally lift office supplies up to 20 pounds. The employee must be physically able to tolerate the scent of essential oils worn or diffused.