Project Manager

California Dairies, Inc.
is the leading dairy processing cooperative in California.
As a farmer-owned cooperative, we operate several processing facilities located throughout California.
CDI employees are highly valued and are provided with competitive benefits packages and career growth plans.
We offer a generous total rewards package that includes: Salary Range - $91,863 - $134,732 Family medical/dental/vision Generous company contributions to 401k Relocation Assistance 10 Paid holidays Paid vacation Tuition reimbursement Job Summary This role is responsible for ensuring that the business needs are met within each project assigned and for leading the changes determined by the core project team.
The primary objective of the Project Manager (PM) role is to bring projects to a conclusion on time and on budget while meeting each project’s specific goals.
The project manager emphasizes the effective utilization of resources, whether they be internal CDI employees, external contractors and/or consultants, or other solution providers.
The PM works with management to clearly identify and document project goals and to plan projects at a level of detail appropriate for the type of project, number and type of resources, project complexity, risk, and timeline.
The position is based in Visalia, California, with frequent travel to other locations.
Throughout these responsibilities, the PM must continue to support and enforce SQF / QA, GMP, Safety policies and procedures, and production needs.
Essential Functions Coordinate internal resources and third-party/vendors for the flawless execution of projects.
Assist in implementing new business practices, policies, and software solutions.
Troubleshoot issues and identify improvement opportunities.
Assist in writing Standard Operating Procedures and maintaining a document control system.
Train end users on implemented tools, procedures, or other project details as needed on all shifts in all locations.
Maintain project plans that define roles, resource requirements, methods, constraints, risks, budget, timeline, governance, and means for sustaining project results.
Create and maintain project calendars and implementation plans, and update project plans regularly during implementation.
Work with program management and functional managers to secure project resources.
Maintain resource “gap lists” throughout the project and resolve them.
Track project budget, timeline, and milestone status, and publish project reporting during project execution.
Maintain issues lists.
Troubleshoot and exercise independent judgment on resolution or escalation to achieve the best result for the business.
Create long- and short-term plans, including setting targets for milestones and adhering to deadlines.
Work with outside/contracted project managers to understand what the CDI team is being required to do.
Manage and track all assigned CDI project activities through to completion.
Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools, and techniques.
Organize plan details and execute the work with the CDI team.
Be helpful to the CDI team by assisting them in their activities.
Participate actively in project meetings, which may be run by an outside/contracted PM; take CDI follow up items for future action.
Help develop and maintain a list of use cases, as required, and maintain test data to be used in use case testing.
Plan, manage, and assist in all testing activities.
Ensure teams perform their tests and assist in documenting test results and reporting issues.
Maintain a test list and report status to the project team.
Planned and managed activities for go-live in coordination with outside/contracted project managers.
Work with the CDI Training and Support team to ensure all training and support activities are on track.
Work with Business Process Owners (BPOs) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assist with their documentation activities.
Ensure all projects are delivered on time and within scope and budget.
Maintain a list of subjects throughout the project for consideration in future phases.
Organize and maintain document repositories and systems.
Assist with creating and maintaining all process systems/operations document templates.
Organize and support training tracks and curriculums, including training requirements and records.
Organize, plan details, and execute the work of the assigned project and its team(s).
Organize and facilitate project team meetings and facilitate and help project team members prepare for these meetings.
Advise & counsel project team members on troubleshooting and progress.
Track testing results, report issues, and follow-up activities.
Make decisions independently on project topics that are in the best interest of the project, the teams involved, and the business.
Report issues to the immediate supervisor and other project team members as needed.
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Demonstrated strong project management skills Competent design knowledge Proficient in Microsoft D365, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project.
Experience with ERP, CMMS, MES, QMS, SharePoint or similar software systems.
Proven analytical and creative problem-solving abilities Leadership, team development, coaching, and teaching experience.
Ability to develop positive working relationships in a cross-functional team environment.
Must possess excellent organizational and communication skills.
Must be able to work independently and effectively manage own schedule to meet deadlines.
Must be able to manage multiple priorities and can change priorities quickly as the business needs.
Basic Understanding of: Dairy/Food processing technology or similar discipline Process qualification & validation in the dairy industry To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education and Experience A bachelor’s degree is preferred, plus a minimum of four years of equivalent experience in operations management, food manufacturing, project management, change management, or a similar area.
Certified Project Management (CPM) preferred.
College-level verbal and written communication skills.
Must be able to communicate with upper management regularly.
Demonstrated leadership, team development, coaching, and teaching experience.
Excellent computer skills for data input, report writing, and program tracking.
Excellent organizational and follow-through skills.
Minimum three years of experience in a manufacturing setting.
Excellent written and spoken English.
Reasoning Ability Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out written, oral, or diagram instructions.
Must be able to discern when issues may require input from levels of authority within the corporation.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations Must have a valid driver’s license.
CPM preferred.
Work Schedule This position works approximately 75% during normal business hours (8am – 5pm), while reachable by cell phone 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
Approximately 25% of this position’s time is spent on-site and will be after hours and on weekends.
This is flexible depending on the needs of the organization and active project(s).
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.
The Company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship to the company if such accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Sitting/Standing/Walking: This position involves sitting at a desk and time walking/standing.
Frequency and duration depend on the phase and nature of a project or issue resolution.
This position is expected to be able to walk/stand for several hours.
Walking could be up several flights of stairs or over uneven surfaces.
Lifting/Carrying: The position may lift 50 lbs unassisted on an infrequent basis.
Pushing/Pulling: They may occasionally push or pull items.
They are directed to seek assistance for anything heavy.
Bending/Stooping: Both can be done occasionally.
Squatting/Kneeling/Crawling: Both can be done occasionally.
Twisting/Turning: Typical expectations associated with routine desk/computer work, training activities, and presentations.
Climbing/Balancing: Potential to walk up and down flights of stairs several times throughout the day.
Reaching: They may reach overhead to retrieve or replace files or documents on high shelves.
Grasping/Manipulating: Typical expectations associated with routine desk/computer work.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The Company will make reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship to the company if such accommodation enables individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Employees will be subject to temperatures from 34 to over 100 degrees.
ADA/FEHA The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.
EEO The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.