Marketing & Innovation Project Coordinator

~ Committed to producing the finest quality rice and rice products for your family. Since 1937, the Lundberg family has been growing healthy, great tasting rice while respecting and sustaining the earth. Today, the third and fourth generations carry on the family heritage by using eco-positive farming methods that produce wholesome, healthful rice, rice cakes, rice chips and risottos while improving and protecting the environment for generations to come. ~

Position Overview

Purpose and Key Results of the Position:

The Marketing & Innovation Project Coordinator is responsible for management of assigned projects, including new product commercialization projects managed through the Lundberg Stage-Gate process, as well as other Marketing and Innovation projects such as package resizing, material changes, and graphic redesign. The position will also assist the Product Managers and other marketing personnel with their general project and corporate research needs.  In addition, this position will be responsible for managing the Lundberg Stage-Gate process in general, including the implementation of process improvements and ongoing process monitoring.

Work Environment:

Work area is primarily in an inside administrative environment with moderate temperatures and low background noise. At times, this position may enter a manufacturing environment with some exposure to dust, odors, noise, and mosquitoes.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Project Management:

• Manage assigned new product projects from initial idea through post-launch review using Lundberg’s Stage-Gate process.
• Work cross-functionally and with all levels of the company to execute against project initiatives. Understand and educate project teams on project priorities.
• Create and maintain documentation for assigned projects including, but not limited to, timeline, budget, resource allocation, product definition, and detailed project plans.
• Maintain key project and product information, documentation, and timelines using various tools including SharePoint, MS Project and Project Server, company ERP system, and other basic MS Office applications.
• Communicate progress to teams and hold resources accountable for assignments.
• Proactively identify risks throughout the project. Elevate red flag issues to responsible stakeholders/owners. Understand the potential risk impact and present potential solutions.
• Monitor progress throughout the project. Capture performance through the documentation of key activities, planned vs. actual budgets, issues and learnings, and decisions through risk registers, issues logs, budget job codes, and other types of documentation.
• Facilitate project team meetings.  Document and distribute meeting summaries that include details on assignments, decisions, and other key project information.
• Complete all tasks in preparation for Innovation Gate Meetings including gate packets, team recommendation, and presentation.
• Be in charge of material preparation for Gate Meetings, Team Meetings, Project Prioritization Meetings, Portfolio Reviews, Metric Reviews, Employee Meetings, etc.
• Maintain project SharePoint sites, including creating new workspaces, managing documents and templates, adjusting project status and libraries, and creating archives.
• Facilitate process improvements and creation of new tools or reports.
• Implement process monitoring and planning through reports including project budgets and project tracking.
• Assist Product Managers and other marketing personnel with project research as needed.
• Completion of miscellaneous activities as assigned.

Safety:

• Adheres to safety programs in order to provide a safe and clean workplace for fellow employees within the regulations of all OSHA local, state and federal regulations.
• Complete necessary trainings to ensure all Lundberg certifications required for role are maintained as current. Certifications may include, but are not limited to, Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP), Back Safety, Forklift, Arc Flash, Confined Space, etc.

Other:

• Performs other assignments from time to time as requested by the Sr. Product Manager to achieve department and company business goals.
• Maintain regular attendance in accordance with Lundberg Family Farms’ Attendance and Punctuality standards.
• Complete training required for position and maintain applicable certifications.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

• Outstanding organizational and time management skills. Strong follow-up skills. Ability to organize incomplete or unorganized information.
• Excellent project management skills. Working knowledge of Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) standards and tools. Ability to meet multiple and competing deadlines.
• Strong critical thinking skills and problem solving skills. Ability to respectfully challenge conventional thinking and provide fresh ideas. Ability to construct a solution to achieve a goal with incomplete information and limited resources.
• Effective collaboration and teamwork skills. Ability to lead or participate on cross-functional teams, utilizing both strong decision making skills and active listening skills.
• Effective leadership abilities. Proactive, positive, leads by example, and takes ownership and accountability. Willing learner and open to feedback.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to articulate desired outcome to colleagues, suppliers, vendors, and co-processors.
• Strong business acumen. Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and summarize in a succinct manner.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project). Experience with SharePoint is preferred.

• Related project management experience or certification such as CAPM.

Physical Requirements for Performing Essential Duties

• Sitting/Standing/Walking: Nearly 100% of the time is spent sitting in an office. However, there may be times where it is necessary to enter a manufacturing environment.
• Speaking/Hearing: Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and supervisors.
• Vision: Ability to effectively visualize the computer screen for long periods of time, and read printed materials.
• Lifting/Carrying: Ability to lift, hold, and carry up to 25 lbs. for a short period of time and distance.
• Stooping/Kneeling: Ability to stoop/kneel when required.
• Reaching/Handling: Ability to reach/handle product when required. Ability to climb stairs and ladders, bend, and twist.