Job Title: Commercialization Project Leader

Reports to: Supply Chain Manager

Number of Direct Reports: 0

Key Internal Partners: Operations, Safety, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, R&D, Engineering, Purchasing, Demand Planning, Marketing

Key External Partners: None

Project Management: Yes

Job Summary:

The Commercialization Project Leader is the primary resource responsible for scheduling, coordinating, leading, and reporting on industrial trials and qualification of new finished goods products, raw materials, equipment, and operational improvements being integrated into the manufacturing operations of the plant. A Commercialization Project Leader will also use analytical and project management skills to lead other improvement projects as needed.

Job Responsibilities & Tasks:

• Own the scheduling, coordination, and execution of industrial trials in collaboration with the corporate Project Management office (PMO), operations, R&D, purchasing, quality, supply chain and other involved parties within the prescribed trial budget.
  • Represent Nampa in cross-functional PMO meetings. Attend other project meetings as required.
  • Provide input to the Nampa representative attending the MNA Steering Committee. Attend the MNA Steering Committee meeting as needed.
  • Give plant leadership and stakeholders visibility to upcoming trial and qualification needs
  • Facilitate meetings, coordinate scheduling, and contribute to cost analysis of innovation projects and industrial trials.
  • Lead the qualification of new finished goods products, raw materials, industrial protocols, and new machines or design/format changes.
  • Coordinate the first production runs of innovation projects.
  • Prepare and communicate post-industrial trial reports.
  • Determine actions needed to overcome technical issues that are identified in the process of conducting industrial trials and/or commercialization.
    • Independently track and follow up on action item completion to ensure they are addressed by the appropriate party.
  • Prepare industrial trial and engineering proposals as needed by the projects. Validate industrial trial/engineering proposals of others.
• Manage the recipe program within the TetraPak plant master system. Decide and implement changes to the recipe system including, but not limited to vacuum settings, recipe accuracy, and conformity with global recipe documentation.

• Recommend, implement, and train on systems to produce and distribute product as a result of new commercialization efforts and industrial trials.
  • Manage operational risks and provide technical feasibility insights related to innovation projects.
  • Analyze, understand, and propose changes for any negative OEE performance, quality defects, and equipment malfunctions within the facility with production data reporting, and physical observations.
  • Suggest and apply small engineering and design/process changes for the facility.
  • Work with the Technical Services and Engineering team to establish and update preventive maintenance for equipment.
  • Mentor to others in the facility related to training, guidance, and by setting the proper example for industrial safety and food safety requirements.
  • Attend daily production performance meetings
• Effectively facilitate innovation projects using tools and techniques of project management.
• Develop and implement tools to bring all projects to successful completion.

• Utilize project management skills to lead other improvement projects as needed throughout the plant.
• Act as a back-up to the Commercialization Manager.
• All other duties as assigned

Key Performance Indicator (KPI):

Trial Protocol to Report Time (less than 14 days)

Cost Savings Task Force Participation (minimum $25k Savings rate)

Post-Trial Review Completion

On-time completion of projects

Trial budget adherence

Position Requirements:

EDUCATION

• Associates degree in a technical field is a minimum requirement.
  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology or Food Science is strongly preferred.
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of experience in industrial/food manufacturing.
• 2 years of experience managing complex, time-sensitive projects.
• Experience in commercialization and technical training is strongly preferred.

SKILLS

• Must demonstrate the ability to lead through influence.
• Must demonstrate expertise in project management methodologies.
• Must follow a disciplined approach to solving complex challenges.
• Must be organized and have a high attention to detail.
• Must have strong teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.
• Must be able to prioritize competing priorities
• Must be able to work autonomously
• Must be able to successfully manage complex situations and adapt to changing priorities.
• Must have the ability to understand and process information effectively to make sound decisions.

PHYSICAL & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able lift up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to wear GMP attire and Personal Protective Equipment required by the task being performed.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 8 hours per day and be on their feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to travel domestically or internationally on an infrequent basis.