Marketing PMO Manager

Position: Marketing Project Management Office (PMO) ManagerDepartment: Marketing/Brand Management/Operations ManagementReport To: Chief Marketing OfficerLocation: Chicago, ILWork Arrangement: HybridAbout Nonni'sWho does not love cookies? Especially biscotti … those delicious cookies with an Italian flair! Founded in 1988 as a homage to an Italian grandmother, Nonni's Food Group is the leading Biscotti maker in the world and a recognized producer, marketer, and distributor of branded premium specialty cookies and healthier baked goods in North America. You will recognize our brands as Nonni's®, THINaddictives®, and La Dolce Vita® found in grocery, mass, club, and online retailers everywhere. Nonni's produces its traditional biscotti using the original family recipe focused on real ingredients and exceptional taste, now bringing this expertise into healthier snacking. Our mission to continually delight consumers with a range of baked goods that create loyalty beyond reason is the foundation for the continued success of the company and the part we play in bringing happiness to consumers every day. Our strong value set focused on respecting and listening to our people, having lofty expectations of ourselves, empowering our people to make decisions, operating as a \"team-of-teams,\" continuous learning, and constant communication enable us to deliver consistently delectable goodness to the marketplace.Job OverviewThe Project Management Office (PMO) Manager at Nonni's Bakery serves as the central orchestrator of product development and commercialization processes. This strategic role owns the Stage Gate process, manages masterdata integrity, and leads cross-functional project teams from concept through launch. The PMO Manager ensures efficient project execution, drives time-to-market acceleration, and maintains process excellence across R&D, Marketing, Operations, and Sales functions. This position requires exceptional organizational capabilities, strong analytical skills, and the ability to lead without direct authority in a fast-paced CPG environment within the Ferrero organization.Key ResponsibilitiesProcess Development:Own and continuously optimize the Stage Gate process for new product development and existing product modificationsCoordinate cross-functional activities to simplify workflows and accelerate time-to-market while maintaining quality standardsEnsure process completeness, data accuracy, and compliance throughout all development stagesIdentify bottlenecks and inefficiencies; implement process improvements and best practicesDevelop and maintain process documentation, guidelines, and training materialsEscalate critical issues, delays, or resource constraints to appropriate stakeholders in a timely mannerRecipe Development & Management:Monitor and track recipe development activities across multiple concurrent projectsManage recipe variations and ensure version control and documentation accuracyAssess downstream impacts of recipe changes on manufacturing, procurement, and qualityResolve timing conflicts and content discrepancies in collaboration with R&D and OperationsFacilitate recipe approval workflows and maintain compliance with regulatory requirementsMasterdata Management:Oversee creation, maintenance, and accuracy of critical masterdata including product specifications, recipes, packaging details, and SKU informationEnsure reliable information flow across all project stages and business systemsCollaborate with IT, Operations, and Finance to resolve data discrepancies and maintain system integritySupport business decision-making through accurate and timely data availabilityDrive improvements in IT infrastructure, data management systems, and applicationsEstablish data governance standards and quality control proceduresProgram/Project Management:Lead end-to-end direction, coordination, implementation, execution, and control of product development projects and programsDevelop comprehensive project plans, schedules, budgets, timelines, and resource allocation strategiesReport project progress to leadership and stakeholders with clear, concise status updatesProactively identify and flag potential problems, risks, and issues; escalate for timely resolutionPrioritize competing project activities and ensure appropriate resource allocation across the portfolioFacilitate project team meetings, track deliverables, and maintain accountability for milestonesImplement quality assurance measures and ensure projects meet defined success criteriaManage project scope changes and maintain alignment with business objectivesCross-functional Team Leadership:Lead cross-functional project teams through complex product changes from simple line extensions to major innovationsEstablish and maintain consistent ways of working within and across project teamsProvide direction, support, and coaching to project team membersFoster collaboration between R&D, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and other functionsBuild strong working relationships across all organizational levelsDrive accountability and commitment to project deliverables and timelinesCross-Collaboration:Internal Teams: R&D, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing Plants, Procurement, Quality & Food Safety, Finance, People & Organization, Regulatory & Business PlanningExternal/Other Entities: IT, cross-functional business units within the Ferrero Group, external vendors and partnersQualifications:Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Food Science, or related field; MBA preferred5-8 years of progressive experience in project/program management roles within CPG companiesWorking knowledge of full commercialization lifecycle from ideation through launch validationProven ability to manage up, down, and across organizational structuresExcellent project management and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detailDemonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple complex initiatives simultaneouslyStrong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skillsAbility to analyze situations quickly and develop actionable plans under pressureAction-oriented mindset with ability to think and react to rapidly changing circumstancesExcellent verbal, written communication, and presentation skillsStrong leadership abilities with proven success leading and motivating cross-functional teamsExpert proficiency in Microsoft Project and Microsoft ExcelExperience with project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Stage Gate)Preferred Qualifications:Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationFood manufacturing or baked goods industry experienceKnowledge of Ferrero culture, processes, and organizational structureFamiliarity with SAP, PLM systems, or similar enterprise softwareExperience with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)Background in data governance and master data managementUnderstanding of food safety, quality systems, and regulatory complianceWorking Conditions:Full-time position based in Chicago, IL - Hybrid arrangement (3 days per week onsite)Occasional travel to manufacturing facilities and Ferrero offices may be required (15%)An Equal Opportunity EmployerWe do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants are given equal consideration.