Project Manager - Food Product Commercialization
Posted
Summary
Leads product commercialization projects at Harvest Food Group, a frozen food manufacturer in East Chicago, IN — driving new product development, customer launches, and manufacturing transitions from concept through full-scale production. Coordinates cross-functional teams, customers, and suppliers using Gantt charts, ERP systems, and Excel.
Company Summary
At Harvest Food Group (HFG), our mission is to create products that make a positive impact on the world. HFG is a private equity–backed company with a brand-new, state-of-the-art production facility in East Chicago, Indiana.
Job Summary
Harvest Food Group is a diversified
frozen food company based in East Chicago, IN, specializing in frozen food
manufacturing and the distribution of frozen vegetables, fruits, grains,
legumes, and herbs. The Project Manager – Sales
operations leads the execution of product commercialization initiatives across
Harvest Food Group, including New Product Development (NPD), Customer launches
and specifications, customer and product line extensions, product changes,
packaging, productivity improvements, and manufacturing transitions. This role
ensures products are successfully launched, coordinated, transitioned from
concept to full-scale production while meeting quality, cost, and timeline
objectives, and drives cross-functional alignment to connect business
strategy, customer expectations, with operational execution in a dynamic food
manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities:
- Leading cross-functional execution from concept
through launch. This role will establish and maintain the overall project
timeline
- Develop detailed Gantt charts and ensure all
project milestones are clearly defined and achieved.
- Coordinate activities across departments,
maintain project visibility, and hold teams accountable for deliverables to
ensure projects progress according to plan.
- Act as the primary point of contact for the
customer and the sales team, managing external communications related to
project status, timelines, and key decisions.
- Align customer expectations with internal
capabilities while ensuring clear communication across all stakeholders.
- Lead external engagement activities, including
coordination with packaging suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and other
critical service providers required to successfully execute the project. These
engagements will be conducted in close collaboration with the respective
internal department owners (e.g., Procurement, Supply Chain, Maintenance, QA,
Operations) to ensure technical alignment, supplier compliance, and effective
project implementation.
Please note, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future. Additionally, there is no relocation assistance.
#L1-SP1
Requirements
Requirements
- Bachelor’s
degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field preferred; equivalent
experience considered
- Minimum 5+
years of previous experience in project
management, product commercialization, manufacturing, and equipment automation - ideally food (frozen) packaging and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
- Previous experience with data analytics and understanding capacity analysis
- Black Belt (Six Sigma) and Lean Manufacturing desired
- Proven
ability to work independently and operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities and multiple stakeholders.
- Experience with ERP systems, Gantt Charts, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other applications
Benefits
Benefits
WHY JOIN US?
- Direct Hire with full
benefits, PTO and 401K Match
- Play a key role in the
launch of a next-generation facility
- Work with a
collaborative and innovation-driven team
- Help deliver
high-quality, safe, and delicious food products to consumers
- Contribute to the
future of food manufacturing through automation and sustainability
What they ask for
Required
- 5+ years of experience in project management, product commercialization, manufacturing, and equipment automation — ideally food (frozen) packaging and CPG
- Previous experience with data analytics and understanding capacity analysis
- Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities and multiple stakeholders
- Experience with ERP systems, Gantt Charts, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other applications
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field (equivalent experience considered)
- Black Belt (Six Sigma) and Lean Manufacturing
