Project Manager

Job Summary

The Project Manager – Walmart (Retail & GNFR) & Sam’s Club is responsible for the end-to-end management and execution of customer-facing projects across assigned product lines and programs. Reporting to the Customer Strategy Manager, this role serves as the primary liaison between Account Management and cross-functional teams, ensuring all projects remain on schedule, on budget, and aligned with customer expectations.

This position plays a critical role in coordinating across design, product development, sourcing, production, and logistics to deliver high-quality solutions in a fast-paced retail environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Execution

• Lead full lifecycle management of projects from kickoff through production and delivery.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and critical paths to ensure on-time execution.
• Organize and facilitate project kick-off meetings based on scope and customer needs.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and bottlenecks; proactively drive resolution.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining high accuracy and adherence to process.

Customer & Account Coordination

• Partner closely with Account Management to align on customer requirements and expectations.
• Serve as a key point of contact for clarifying project details and ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
• Manage and secure all required customer approvals, including:
• Artwork and graphics
• Mechanical designs
• Ink/color matches
• Proofs and physical samples
• Provide regular updates on development status, timelines, and deliverables.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as the liaison across the following teams:
• Graphic Design
• Marketing
• Structural/Engineering
• Product Development
• Sourcing/Procurement
• Preproduction & Production
• Assembly & Shipping
• Coordinate resources and ensure alignment to deliver desired project outcomes.
• Drive accountability across teams to meet deadlines and quality standards.

Planning, Documentation & Process Management

• Establish and manage project plans and organize supporting documentation, including:
• Bills of Materials (BOMs)
• Work instructions / fabrication cards
• Purchase requisitions
• Testing requirements
• Walmart compliance requirements
• New item setup data
• Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure proper communication across the organization.
• Support development and standardization of processes to improve efficiency and execution.

Sourcing, Costing & Financial Management

• Build detailed project cost estimates (labor and materials).
• Review vendor quotes and invoices for accuracy and completeness.
• Assist with resolution of billing discrepancies, receivables, and collection issues.

Supply Chain, Delivery & Launch Support

• Coordinate production timelines and ensure on-time delivery to customer locations.
• Communicate delivery expectations and updates to stakeholders.
• Support inventory planning and readiness for new product launches and programs.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Support

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce timelines, and enhance execution.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives such as:
• Product development and innovation
• Marketing programs and promotions
• Product refreshes and cost optimization
• Recommend alternative solutions to meet evolving customer needs.

Compliance & Work Environment

• Follow all safety policies, operating procedures, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• Support a safe work environment and participate in safety initiatives as needed.
• Maintain flexibility to support customer needs, including occasional extended hours or holidays.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required
• 3–6 years of experience in CPG, retail, packaging, product development, printing, corrugated, or related fields
• Experience supporting Walmart and/or Sam’s Club strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of packaging, displays, sourcing, and production processes
• Ability to travel for short periods of time
• Role requires full-time presence in the office

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• High attention to detail and strong numerical accuracy
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive accountability
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
• Negotiation skills with the ability to maintain strong relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and project management tools
• Customer-focused mindset with a sense of urgency and ownership

Key Success Factors

• Ability to independently manage complex, multi-stage projects
• Consistent delivery of projects on time and within scope
• Strong collaboration across cross-functional teams
• High level of organization, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Customer Strategy Manager – Walmart (Retail & GNFR) & Sam’s Club
• Key stakeholders: Account Management, Design, Marketing, Sourcing, Supply Chain, Production, Finance

Location

• Bentonville, AR preferred
• Flexibility to support customer-driven timelines and business needs required

Why This Role Matters

This role is essential to delivering best-in-class execution for Walmart and Sam’s Club, ensuring customer programs are brought to life with precision, speed, and operational excellence. The Project Manager directly enables growth by bridging strategy and execution across the organization.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to: stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Communication:

Excellent and professional skills in both verbal and written communications are required to effectively work with customers (external and internal).

Work Environment:

This position requires work in both an office setting and possibly manufacturing setting. Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Office areas may or may not be environmentally controlled. Work often requires after-hours communication or extended work hours, including weekend or evening work. Working conditions in the manufacturing setting may or may not be environmentally controlled resulting in hot or cold temperatures depending on weather conditions. While working in the manufacturing area, the employee may work in areas where there is moving warehouse equipment and must exercise care to avoid injury in these environments.