R&D Project Manager - Innovation & Launch Leader

CPS Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

CPS Inc. is seeking a Project Manager R&D for a 12-14 month contract with strong potential to convert to full-time in early 2028. The role coordinates business, R&D, and operations to deliver high-impact CPG products on schedule and within scope.

Responsibilities include leading multi-disciplinary programs from ideation to launch, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, and driving governance and risk management across several concurrent SKUs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of related work experience in food & beverage CPG industry.
• Proven project management skills and experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, cross-functional innovation and commercialization initiatives from concept through market launch.
• Manage scope, timing, and budget; convert briefs into integrated project plans.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales.
• Drive stage-gate governance, track risks, assumptions, and changes for multiple launches.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement; maintain KPI dashboard.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Governance

Risk management

Tools

Wrike

Asana

Click-Up

Job description

CPS Inc. is seeking a Project Manager R&D for a 12-14 month contract with strong potential to convert to full-time in early 2028. The role coordinates business, R&D, and operations to deliver high-impact CPG products on schedule and within scope.

Responsibilities include leading multi-disciplinary programs from ideation to launch, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, and driving governance and risk management across several concurrent SKUs.