SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Cella; Clark (NJ); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Part time

Job summary

Cella, a Randstad digital company, is seeking a Senior Project Manager to support the Product & Packaging Development organization on a contract basis in Clark, New Jersey. You will own end-to-end product and packaging initiatives during a maternity leave, guiding cross-functional teams and ensuring on-time, within-budget launches.

Qualified candidates have 7+ years in packaging development PM, a packaging engineering/operations degree, and strong leadership with experience in beauty/CPG.

Qualifications

• Seven plus years of experience in product and/or packaging development project management.
• Background in beauty, cosmetics, personal care, or CPG preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Operations, or related technical discipline.
• Strong product launch and development lifecycle management experience.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without authority.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage end-to-end product and packaging development projects, including new launches and transversal initiatives.
• Build and drive detailed project timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation plans to ensure on-time delivery within quality standards.
• Present launch and transversal project reviews and elevate risks to leadership.
• Partner with Marketing on innovation briefs and concept definitions to align with agility and sustainability goals.
• Drive cross-functional engagement across Operations, R&D, Packaging, and Manufacturing teams.
• Lead project meetings, remove roadblocks, and maintain momentum across stakeholders.
• Assess launch feasibility across cost, timeline, COGs, and sustainability.
• Manage plant transfers and related development activities as needed.
• Act as a communication link between Division and Industrial teams.
• Coordinate R&D and packaging component development activities.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Project management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering/Operations

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Location: Clark, New Jersey
Job Type: Contract
Compensation Range: $45 - 55 per hour

A global beauty leader is seeking a seasoned Senior Project Manager to support the Product & Packaging Development (PPD) organization on a contract basis. This role serves as a critical plug-in leader across transversal development projects and product launches during a maternity leave period.

You will step into an active portfolio and quickly take ownership of projects ranging from new product launches and catalog maintenance updates to plant transfers and packaging development initiatives. Once onboarded, you'll be expected to manage launches end-to-end with minimal oversight.

We're looking for someone strategic, agile, and leadership-oriented - a senior-level operator who can energize cross-functional teams, drive timelines, and confidently escalated risks to senior leadership when needed. Prior experience with large beauty or CPG organizations is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage end-to-end product and packaging development projects, including new launches and transversal initiatives.
• Build and drive detailed project timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation plans to ensure on-time delivery within quality standards.
• Present launch and transversal project reviews and elevate risks to Operational and Divisional leadership.
• Partner with Marketing on innovation briefs and concept definitions to ensure alignment with agility, profitability, and sustainability goals.
• Drive cross-functional engagement across Operations, R&I, Packaging, and Manufacturing teams.
• Lead project meetings, remove roadblocks, and maintain forward momentum across stakeholders.
• Assess launch feasibility across cost, timeline, COGs, and sustainability.
• Manage plant transfers and related development activities as needed.
• Act as a key communication link between Division and Industrial teams.
• Manage projects through full stage-gate / QCP processes and documentation requirements.
• Support feasibility costing, value analysis, and profitability reviews.
• Coordinate R&D and packaging component development activities.
• Provide technical and costing guidance to team members to enable cost-effective, on-time launches..
• Coordinate meetings, track actions, and drive follow-ups to closure.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in product and/or packaging development project management.
• Background in beauty, cosmetics, personal care, or CPG strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Packaging Engineering, Operations, or related technical discipline.
• Strong product launch and development lifecycle management experience.
• Technical packaging experience is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without authority.
• Strategic mindset with the agility to step into in-flight projects and quickly stabilize execution.
• Strong risk management and escalation judgment.
• Experience with feasibility costing, COG analysis, and value engineering.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Highly organized with strong documentation discipline.
• Comfortable working onsite (required).
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools.

Nice to Have

• Experience with large global beauty or CPG organizations.
• Experience supporting global product launches.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Cella, a randstad digital company, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact [e-mail].

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Cella by randstad digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility). 

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.