Summary/Objective
The Project Manager supervises and implements the design, planning, and management of new product development to address the needs of the global food system community. This position requires meticulous attention to detail, superior organizational skills, and an ability to collaborate interdepartmentally while building robust working relationships with vendors and partners. Through natural flexibility, the Project Manager will utilize their strong technology background and multitasking ability to manage a variety of both digital and analog projects from inception to launch, ensuring on-time and accurate delivery. In their commitment to excellence, the Project Manager will also use clear communication to forge and maintain trusted partnerships with diverse, multi-functional project teams fostering an environment of collaboration, teamwork, and cooperation.

Essential Responsibilities
• Responsible for driving all projects from inception to completion on time and within budget
• Develops comprehensive project plans, including scope, timelines, resources, and budgets; and tracks project progress and risks
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams and external vendors to drive project progress and activities to meet project deliverables
• Leads project meetings, drafts agendas and notes, and ensures appropriate follow up where necessary
• Communicates project status, risks, and issues to stakeholders including senior management and leadership
• Identifies and monitor potential risks and issues, and develops mitigation strategies
• Identifies and manages project resources, including team members, skills and expertise necessary to meet project requirements
• Estimates and manages resource requirements of project, including identification, selection, and ongoing relationship management of external vendors
• Fosters teamwork and collaboration among internal teams and vendors
• Monitors contractor or vendor expenses to optimize allocated program budgets and contracts
• Supports IFT financial and budgetary standards through appropriate use of resources by maintaining budget integrity throughout the project
• Partners with project leads to develop project business cases to ensure project alignment with organizational strategic goals and secure funding and approval from senior leadership
• Assists project leads in strategic planning activities, including market analysis, pricing strategies, and multi-year budget forecasts to ensure financial viability of projects
• Integrates customer and market data, research, market analysis into product requirements and strategies
• Conducts regular retrospectives and check-ins, and provides ongoing project feedback and improvement recommendations to key stakeholders
• Ensures compliance with industry and legal regulations and best practices, and adherence to company processes and procedures

Travel Required
• Occasional domestic travel is expected including the ability to attend occasional evening, weekend, and overnight meetings

Required Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Computer Science, or equivalent
• 5+ years’ experience or demonstrated competency in project management roles with coordinating work for new product development teams
• 5+ years’ of demonstrated success in strategic planning, risk management and change management
• Experience or demonstrated competency in managing technology and/or AI products
• Strong understanding of Agile principles and practices (e.g., sprint planning, backlog grooming, iterative delivery)
• Familiarity with Lean methodologies, with a focus on customer value, rapid feedback loops, and continuous improvement
• Familiarity with cloud-based computing systems
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Proficient with project management software tools (Project, Wrike, SmartSheet, etc.)

Preferred Experience
• PMP or equivalent experience preferred
• Experience with membership-based nonprofit associations
• Experience with start-ups or fast pace growth environments
• Experience with food of beverage development or manufacturing
• SharePoint knowledge
• Experience with Account Management Systems (AMS)

Other Duties
This position, and all others at IFT, may be modified at any time. To ensure operational efficiency and meet the changing needs of our customers and our Business, other duties may be assigned as needed.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $85,000 to 95,000 Per Year (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Benefits: IFT offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to reward and energize our employees, so they can live a balanced life and maintain their well-being. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans at affordable rates. Life and Long Term Disability insurance is completely free to all employees. Most benefits begin the first of the month following employee’s start date. To learn more about IFT and our excellent benefits, please visit our careers page here: https://www.ift.org/about-ift/work-at-ift