Who We Are- Gilchrist & Soames
Gilchrist & Soames is a leading personal care manufacturer of innovative bath products with an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and clean, skin-friendly formulations. Gilchrist & Soames specializes in packaging design & engineering as well as formulation development.
Job Summary
The Project Manager (PM) will lead and execute projects in support of the Gilchrist & Soames Business Plan. The individual conducts and owns the lifecycle of each project from start to finish. The individual leads all phases of development including initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closing of all assigned projects, and maintaining the working relationship with cross functional Subject Matter Experts to ensure their input is captured and supports the requirements of the project’s success. The individual will be the liaison between the brand, vendors and all valued cross-functional departments including Sales, Research & Development, Design, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Bulk manufacturing, and Fill production to align on all phases of development, launch and program management. The project manager is expected to ensure all milestones with a focus on delivering the project on-time, within budget and global compliance. The PM will resolve all critical issues with tactical planning to bring any projects back on track if facing obstacles.
Responsibilities
End-to-end project execution initially from the project kick-off, design, and development stages, ensuring a seamless transition of management and client approved final design for artwork execution.
Develop end to end (E2E), track and manage detailed project levels; profits and losses, & new product information forms (NPIF’s) to support the projects. Create SOPs, when applicable, to help streamline the PM process.
Interface with the Global PD team & Cross Functional Subject Matter Experts in order to ensure design and formulation chemistry Research and Development has all of the requirements in order to develop packaging, graphics and formulations that meet the mark; interface with Research and Development on all NPD formulations to ensure compliance are upheld. Clearly defines manufacturing capabilities, location(s) and all costs associated with the program are understood.
Manage and maintain multiple, simultaneous creative projects-many of which can be complex in nature. Ensuring adherence to project management and production best practices, including but not limited to contract manufacturing, internal and customer-based CPG, lodging and commercial product programs. Navigate all aspects of multiple related projects to ensure the overall program is aligned to and directly supports the achievement of strategic objectives.
Monitor and manage scope by ensuring changes are documented, prioritized, approved, and reported to all business teams and stakeholders; must be able to help stakeholders quantify scope changes in terms of time and resource implications.
Lead, manage, and present information transparently; schedule project-related meetings including kickoffs, cadence of meetings, cross-functional status, brainstorms. Identify and assemble the project team including product development, manufacturing, Research and Development, and supply chain.
Engage stakeholders, ensuring the right people ranging from junior to Executive level, are aware of any complications, always tailoring communication to bring solutions/opportunities to the table. Breakdown projects into actionable steps and hold key stakeholders accountable.
Mitigate problems, critical issues, and obstacles by executing solutions.
Participate and/or drive feasibility of vendor selections and proposals to be evaluated by appropriate key stakeholders. Understand operational efficiencies and help team make decisions that are optimal for implementation – from ingredient to package to manufacturing facility.
Requirements gathering and scope alignment for all assigned projects working directly with the internal and external Project Sponsor(s); including collaboration with but not limited to Global Design, Global Marketing, Global Brand, Engineering, Supply Chain, Research and Development, cross-functional stakeholders. Interface as a conduit with our valued business partners to scope, plan, manage, and drive all steps in the lifecycle of any new projects or existing program management.
Understands the business need for each project and properly assess the projects’ design objectives, complexity level and develops the best strategic path forward for efficiency and success. Makes ongoing decisions based on what’s best for the organization even if that means challenging senior stakeholders on critical success factors. Makes continuous improvement a priority by partnering with Managers across functions to make continuous improvement more broadly than a single project.
Work closely with Manager to ensure the project objective, deliverables, required resources, work plan and timing for new initiatives; responsible for creating and maintaining comprehensive project status tools.
Set Global Best Practices: Work with PM leadership to apply best practices from centralized team for global implementation, collaboration, and project visibility. Start each project with a global launch mentality so minimal regional rework is required.
Duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in the Sciences, Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline preferred.
Master’s degree, MBA, or other relevant advanced degree a plus.
Experience
PM certification or other documented intra-company certification/training preferred.
5 – 7 years Project Management or related skills in Health and Beauty manufacturing, Hospitality and/or Hotel/Restaurant Management.
5+ years of direct experience in managing new product development projects from idea to market launch or 5+ years in a retail and commercial planning environment, CPG or OTC healthcare preferred.
Skills
Experience working in a contract manufacturing setting preferred.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; proven influence and direction in a cross functional team environment
Business and Financial Acumen required
Proven ability to resolve conflict (striving for win-win outcomes) and lead through ambiguity independently
Strong MS Office suite skills; can demonstrate expertise with MS Project. Must be familiar with standard PM tools and templates
Demonstrated ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment without sacrificing quality of work
Strong collaborator and influencer
Keen eye for enhanced quality, planning and attention to detail
Experience interacting with senior leadership
Team player with experience within a global matrix organization
Physical Demands and Work Conditions The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
