Project Manager

About Us:

Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin.

As a third-generation family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.

At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals.

Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years.

Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a skilled and proactive Project Manager to lead and oversee key projects across IT, Operations, and Management. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities, excellent organizational skills, and experience managing complex projects such as the D365 Order to Cash initiative, plant improvements, and potential office or plant moves. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing project timelines, and ensuring successful delivery of all project goals.

As a core function, this role will manage the entire project lifecycle, from planning and execution to monitoring and completion. They will take a leading role in coordinating resources, managing budgets, and mitigating risks to ensure projects are completed on time and within scope. The Project Manager will also serve as a key point of contact between stakeholders and team members, ensuring effective communication and alignment throughout the project.

As an adjunct function, they will drive process improvements, facilitate change management, and ensure that all projects contribute to the organization's overall strategy and goals. The ideal candidate should be comfortable working with various departments, possess strong problem-solving skills, and have a proven track record of leading successful, large-scale projects across different functions.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project Leadership:
  
  
  
  • Lead, plan, and execute key IT, Operations, and Management projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and budget.
  • Current projects include D365 Order to Cash, plant improvements, and process optimization.
  • Manage future strategic projects like office relocations, plant moves, and other cross-functional initiatives.
  
  
  
  
• Stakeholder Management:
  
  
  
  • Collaborate with senior leadership, department heads, and key stakeholders to ensure project alignment with business objectives and priorities. Facilitate regular communication to keep all parties informed of progress and challenges.
  
  
  
  
• Team Management:
  
  
  
  • Build and lead cross-functional project teams, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities. Provide guidance, direction, and coaching to team members to drive performance and successful project completion.
  
  
  
  
• Risk Management:
  
  
  
  • Identify and manage project risks, developing mitigation strategies to ensure project success. Proactively address any issues or roadblocks that arise.
  
  
  
  
• Project Documentation:
  
  
  
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project charters, plans, timelines, risk assessments, and progress reports.
  
  
  
  
• Process Improvements:
  
  
  
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing current processes and identifying opportunities for efficiency and productivity gains.
  
  
  
  
• Budget and Resource Management:
  
  
  
  • Manage project budgets, ensuring proper resource allocation. Work with finance and department leaders to secure funding and necessary resources.
  
  
  
  
• Change Management:
  
  
  
  • Facilitate change management initiatives, ensuring smooth adoption of new processes, systems, and technologies.
  
  
  
  

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in project management, preferably in IT and Operations.
• Proven experience managing large-scale IT projects, such as ERP implementations (e.g., D365), and operational improvements.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate and manage cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Trello, Jira).
• PMP or PRINCE2 certification is preferred.