Manager of Projects and Technology/Product Development Manager

Qual IT Resources; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Qual IT Resources is seeking an experienced leader to drive high-priority food manufacturing projects from concept through launch. You will guide a small technical team across packaging, process engineering, and project management, ensuring delivery on time, on budget, and to quality standards.

The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Operations, QA, Marketing, Procurement, and Sales, plus governance improvements and support for budgeting and career development.

Qualifications

• Technical food manufacturing knowledge.
• Leadership and team management experience.
• 7-10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or R&D.
• Experience leading both projects and people.
• Strong technical capability with excellent organization and follow-through.
• Commercial product launch experience.
• Comfortable working in both plant and office environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-priority product development and tech projects with visibility via Gantt charts and project plans.
• Lead a small technical team across project management, process engineering, and packaging engineering.
• Manage product development from concept to commercial launch.
• Keep projects on time, on budget, and compliant with quality standards.
• Coordinate with Operations, QA, Marketing, Procurement, Sales, and vendors.
• Improve PM processes, stage-gate discipline, and governance.
• Provide technical guidance on manufacturing, packaging, product development, and process improvements.
• Support budgeting, career development, and team leadership across local and Kentucky operations.
• Serve as a technical liaison between Sales and scientists to translate customer needs into solutions.
• Delegate and mentor plant-level PMs on line extensions and priority projects.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Food manufacturing

Commercial product launch

Tools

Gantt charts

Microsoft Project

ERP systems

Job description

• Lead high-priority product development and technology projects, driving visibility through tools such as Gantt charts and project plans.
• Lead a small technical team, including project management, process engineering, and packaging engineering resources.
• Manage product development projects from concept through commercial launch.
• Ensure projects stay on time, on budget, and aligned with quality standards.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Operations, QA, Marketing, Procurement, Sales, and external vendors.
• Improve project management processes, including stage-gate discipline and project governance.
• Provide technical guidance related to manufacturing, packaging, product development, and process improvements.
• Support budgeting, career development, and team leadership across local and Kentucky operations.
• Serve as a technical partner and buffer between Sales and scientists, helping translate customer needs into feasible technical solutions.
• Delegate and guide plant-level project managers on initiatives such as line extensions and other priority projects.

Notes:

Food experience is critical; beverage-only experience may be limiting. Open to candidates who may not currently hold a manager title if they have strong technical food manufacturing and project leadership experience.

MUST HAVE:

• Technical food manufacturing knowledge
• Leadership and team management experience
• 7-10+ years of experience in food manufacturing, CPG, or R&D
• Experience leading both projects and people
• Strong technical capability with excellent organization and follow-through
• Commercial product launch experience
• Comfortable working in both plant and office environments