Project Manager - Food Product Commercialization

Lucas James Talent Partners; East Chicago (IN); On-site; USD 81,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct Hire with full benefits

401K Match

PTO

Job summary

Harvest Food Group is seeking a Project Manager – Sales operations to lead the execution of product commercialization initiatives across Harvest Food Group, including New Product Development (NPD), Customer launches and specifications, customer and product line extensions, product changes, packaging, productivity improvements, and manufacturing transitions.

This role ensures products are successfully launched, coordinated, transitioned from concept to full-scale production while meeting quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 5+ years of project management, product commercialization, manufacturing, and equipment automation experience.
• Experience in food (frozen) packaging and CPGB an asset.
• Proven ability with data analytics and capacity analysis.
• Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma Black Belt is desirable.
• Proficient in ERP systems, Gantt charts, and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional execution from concept through launch with a defined timeline.
• Develop detailed Gantt charts and ensure milestones are achieved.
• Coordinate activities across departments, maintain visibility, and drive deliverables.
• Serve as primary contact for customer and sales teams on project status and decisions.
• Align customer expectations with internal capabilities and communicate across stakeholders.
• Lead external engagements with suppliers and manufacturers for project success.

Skills

Data analytics

ERP systems

Gantt charts

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Project Manager - Food Product Commercialization

Job Information

Work Experience 3-5 years

Manufacturing

City East Chicago

State/Province Indiana

46312

95,000

Job Description

Company Summary

At Harvest Food Group (HFG), our mission is to create products that make a positive impact on the world. HFG is a private equity–backed company with a brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility in East Chicago, Indiana.

Job Summary

Harvest Food Group is a diversified frozen food company based in East Chicago, IN, specializing in frozen food manufacturing and the distribution of frozen vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, and herbs. The Project Manager – Sales operations leads the execution of product commercialization initiatives across Harvest Food Group, including New Product Development (NPD), Customer launches and specifications, customer and product line extensions, product changes, packaging, productivity improvements, and manufacturing transitions. This role ensures products are successfully launched, coordinated, transitioned from concept to full-scale production while meeting quality, cost, and timeline objectives, and drives cross-functional alignment to connect business strategy, customer expectations, with operational execution in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Leading cross-functional execution from concept through launch. This role will establish and maintain the overall project timeline
• Develop detailed Gantt charts and ensure all project milestones are clearly defined and achieved.
• Coordinate activities across departments, maintain project visibility, and hold teams accountable for deliverables to ensure projects progress according to plan.
• Act as the primary point of contact for the customer and the sales team, managing external communications related to project status, timelines, and key decisions.
• Align customer expectations with internal capabilities while ensuring clear communication across all stakeholders.
• Lead external engagement activities, including coordination with packaging suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and other critical service providers required to successfully execute the project. These engagements will be conducted in close collaboration with the respective internal department owners (e.g., Procurement, Supply Chain, Maintenance, QA, Operations) to ensure technical alignment, supplier compliance, and effective project implementation.

Please note, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future. Additionally, there is no relocation assistance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Minimum 5+ years of previous experience in project management, product commercialization, manufacturing, and equipment automation - ideally food (frozen) packaging and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
• Previous experience with data analytics and understanding capacity analysis
• Black Belt (Six Sigma) and Lean Manufacturing desired
• Pr oven ability to work independently and operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities and multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with ERP systems, Gantt Charts, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other applications

WHY JOIN US?

• Direct Hire with full benefits, PTO and 401K Match
• Play a key role in the launch of a next-generation facility
• Work with a collaborative and innovation-driven team
• Help deliver high-quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers
• Contribute to the future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability