Project Manager

Cafe Valley, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cafe Valley, Inc. is seeking a Project Manager to oversee new product commercialization in a dynamic environment. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally to enhance operational efficiency and support the Sales team, driving projects from concept to launch. With a strong focus on collaboration and effective communication, this role is crucial to the company's growth and commitment to quality.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Paid time off

401(k) plan with generous match

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in project management within food manufacturing.
• Proficiency in project management tools and data analysis.
• Understanding S&OP processes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercialization initiatives, ensuring timely execution.
• Collaborate with departments to align on project milestones.
• Facilitate communication between sales and operations teams.

Skills

Project Management

Cross-Functional Team Coordination

Data Analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Bachelor’s degree in Project Management

Bachelor’s degree in Operations

Tools

Zoho

MS Project

Excel

Job description

Who is Cafe Bakery

Since 1987, the team at Cafe Valley has produced muffins, bundt cakes, ring cakes, turnovers, and croissants for our customers throughout the United States and across the world. Our products are made with high-quality ingredients and crafted with care. We strive to maintain a positive work environment and foster a culture of teamwork and innovation.

Who You Are

We are looking for a Project Manager to support sales commercialization for new products and initiatives. Focused on supporting the Sales team, this role will ensure that commercialization projects integrate seamlessly into the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, improving speed-to-market, reducing errors, and enhancing cross-functional collaboration. By gathering critical information, coordinating plant trials, aligning with customer expectations, and facilitating sales engagement in strategic planning cycles, this position will help strengthen Café Valley’s operational effectiveness, support its growth objectives, and reinforce its core values of quality, reliability, and innovation..

Location

Phoenix or remote position.

What You Will Get

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• 401(k) plan with generous match
• Benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and other supplemental coverages

What You Will Do

New Product Commercialization Management:

• Serve as the primary project lead on sales-driven product commercialization initiatives, ensuring timely execution from concept approval through the first production run.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, R&D, Operations, Quality Assurance, Procurement, and other key departments to clarify requirements, align on project milestones, and proactively address potential roadblocks.
• Schedule and facilitate cross-functional meetings, plant trials, and pre-production run-throughs to confirm specifications and ensure all resources understand the final product requirements prior to launch.
• Maintain detailed project plans and timelines, using project management tools (e.g., Zoho) to track progress against critical milestones and communicate updates to stakeholders.

Facilitation within the S&OP Process:

• Partner with Sales, Planning, and Operations teams to ensure that new product launches, product changes, and commercialization projects are fully integrated into the S&OP process.
• Facilitate the flow of information between Sales and Operations, ensuring that product forecasts, customer demand signals, and promotional activities are accurately reflected in supply plans.
• Provide timely, data-driven insights to the S&OP team, helping to balance demand variability with manufacturing capacities and inventory strategies, ultimately improving service levels and speed-to-market.
• Identify and communicate potential misalignments between Sales forecasts and operational capabilities, working with cross-functional teams to develop realistic, achievable plans.

Information Gathering and Documentation:

• Collect, verify, and disseminate all required project details—such as product specifications, ingredient lists, packaging details, and labeling requirements—to relevant departments.
• Utilize standardized project templates, checklists, and guidelines to enhance consistency, reduce variability, and support the continuous improvement of commercialization processes.
• Regularly update documentation in project management systems to ensure accessible, accurate records that can inform future initiatives and decision-making.

Process Improvement and Error Reduction:

• Continuously assess the commercialization pipeline to identify opportunities for reducing lead times, improving responsiveness, and cutting down on operational errors.
• Recommend and implement best practices to enhance cross-functional communication, simplify workflows, and increase visibility into project statuses, from initial request through launch.
• Support the Director of Project Management in refining internal processes, driving systematic improvements that enhance overall organizational performance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:

• Act as a central point of contact for Sales-driven projects, ensuring alignment with Café Valley’s quality standards, brand values, and strategic goals.
• Provide timely and transparent project updates, including potential risks or delays, to internal teams and leadership, ensuring clarity and proactive issue resolution.
• Set realistic expectations with the Sales team, offering accurate timelines and progress reports that build trust and credibility with both internal stakeholders and customers.

Cross-Functional Alignment and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with Planning, Production, Quality Assurance, and other departments to ensure that commercialization projects are fully understood, well-integrated, and executed flawlessly.
• Assist in managing a select portfolio of additional business initiatives, including system enhancements and process improvement projects that drive overall organizational success.
• Advocate for operational excellence, championing Café Valley’s core principles of uplifting others, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Operations, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in project management, commercialization, or a similar role within food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods industries preferred.
• Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Zoho, MS Project) and strong aptitude in Excel and other data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage complex timelines, and deliver projects on time and within scope.
• Understanding of the S&OP process, including demand planning, forecast integration, and operational alignment, is highly desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on clarity, responsiveness, and strengthening relationships.
• Familiarity with food manufacturing processes, product development cycles, and regulatory requirements is a plus.

Café Valley is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.