Job DescriptionSENIOR PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER - CORPORATE OFFICE (BEDMINSTER, NJ) APPLEGATE / HORMEL FOODS CORPORATIONTo save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.
SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the VP, Brand Equity & Innovation, the Senior Project & Portfolio Manager leads the successful end-to-end delivery of all Emerging Brands (Applegate & Columbus) projects. This role oversees a team of PMs, ensuring strong project execution, portfolio transparency, and cross-functional alignment. The Senior Manager also manages the Governance Committee (i.e. Stage Gate), maintains the Project Portfolio, tracks resourcing, and drives continuous improvement across project management processes and tools.
RESPONSIBILITIES: - Ensure PM team delivers consistent, high-quality project management execution across all Emerging Brands initiatives.
- Oversee project planning activities, including requirements gathering, stakeholder alignment, deliverable definition, timeline creation, and progress accountability. Ensure robust scoping, feasibility assessment, and documentation - including business requirements, project plans, risk assessments, communication plans, and performance metrics.
- Ensure PM teams proactively identify risks, resolve issues, and escalate appropriately to senior leadership. Ensure all project documentation - timelines, scope documents, notes - remains up-to-date and accurate.
- Drive continuous improvement by capturing and implementing lessons learned & new ways of working throughout project lifecycles.
- Establish, maintain, and improve project management systems, tools, and dashboards to enhance execution and reporting accuracy.
- Maintain an accurate and current Project Portfolio through Asana and Compass, including project status, financial data, and pipeline details. Coordinate with Brand Management Innovation lead and IBP lead to ensure 3-year pipelines are up to date and consistently represented across the organization.
- Prepare for and lead monthly Governance Committee meetings, including Business Case review, agenda preparation, approval facilitation and communication of decisions and outcomes.
- Partner with Senior Leadership & IBP Lead to help evaluate business priorities and short- and long-term initiatives to ensure resources are allocated effectively across programs. Provide recommendations based on portfolio insights, capacity constraints, risk profiles, and organizational goals to support sound decision-making and sustained portfolio health.
- Input into PMR step within the IBP process by coordinating information collection and organizing it into structured updates for leadership review.
- Support staff development by assessing skills and capabilities, building training and development plans, coaching and mentoring team members, and fostering a culture of excellence.
QUALIFICATIONS:- Bachelor's degree.
- 10+ years' experience of managing Product Development Projects in the CPG industry.
- Broad knowledge of the food industry; meat industry experience preferred.
- 5+ years' experience managing Project Portfolios.
- Demonstrated experience in process improvement and change management.
- Strong leadership presence; able to present complex or sensitive situations with credibility and clarity, and drive to decisions. Ability to adjust content and messaging to audience (technical vs. executive).
- Team leadership experience.
- Excellent attention to detail, follow-through and execution skills.
- Strong communication skills (both written and verbal), negotiating and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize demands and multitask to complete objectives.
- Ability to maintain professional, respectful relationships with external vendors, suppliers, and partners.
- Experience in navigating government regulatory requirements.
- Solid technical knowledge, able to lead and direct others in solving complex technical problems.
- Excellent computer skills required which include Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); experience with Asana a plus.
- Applicants must not now, or at any time in the future, require sponsorship for a work visa.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
LOCATION: Corporate Office, Bedminster NJ
A comprehensive relocation package to the Bedminster, NJ area will be offered, if required.
At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Senior Project and Portfolio Manager role is between
$113,500 - $158,900 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.
BENEFITS: Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package includes comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 10% of the time
For immediate consideration, apply online at: www.hormelfoods.com/careers
At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/ 
