Customer Project Manager

Jenn at Wallace Myers is currently seeking a Customer Project Manager for our client in Naas. This is a Culinary Innovation role and a Food science background is mandatory. Title: Project Manager. Department: Science & Innovation. Reports to: Technology Manager/Head of Science & Innovation. Hours of Work: Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm plus flexibility around overtime and trials. Location: Naas, Co. Kildare. Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time, 39 hours per week.

Purpose of Role

This person needs to be a key driver of our stage gate (Nectar) innovation process and is expected to deliver each Innovation project within the agreed timelines set out by the business.

Core Attributes

• Be the innovator
• Be a lean champion
• Team player

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Be the leader for your assigned projects from the start of the brief to the final review within our stage gate process (Nectar).
• Complete required steps on Navision to ensure all departments are clear at each step of the process, attending all stages of trials (scale ups are mandatory) and briefing your appointed technologist clearly on what is required at pilot stage.
• Attend all required daily and weekly meetings, ensuring that you maintain all required Nectar reports as agreed with your S&I Manager.
• Present to customers and visit their facilities, leading technical discussions and offering consumer insights and related concepts.
• Update your own project innovation pipeline weekly, communicate any significant changes or delays to the required team members, and take action to get the project back on time.
• Present to your team regularly a review of your Nectar projects, offering positive continuous improvement suggestions that align with the business core strategic plans.
• Leverage culinary and technical access with key influencers within your targeted customers and suppliers, promoting the benefits of using our company as a supplier and problem solver.
• Develop a network of technical experts that can be called upon to assist within the nectar innovation process.
• Responsible for gate review meetings at each stage of the nectar process.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in food/meat science, food processing, food legislation, specifications and recipe management.
• Complete and record all sensory or benchmark analysis, product evaluations, and concept reviews in line with expectations set within nectar.

Key Deliverables

• Conversion rate of your Innovation projects to the market / pipeline
• Cycle times (by stage gate / to market)
• On time / within budget
• Feedback from team / customers

Experience Required for Role

Minimum of 3 years' experience working in the food industry with a third level qualification in food science or a similar field.

Qualifications Required

• BSc Food Science & Technology or equivalent experience
• Proven track record in a similar role in a high risk food environment

Specific IT Skills and Level

• Navision experience is preferable but not required