Project Manager

About Inari...

Inari is the SEEDesign company. We embrace the diversity and complexity of nature in every aspect of our business to drive innovation - to push the boundaries of what is possible. Through our unrivaled technology platform, Inari uses predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to develop step-change products. We are taking a nature positive approach to unlock the full potential of seed that will transform the food system. The results will lead to more productive acres delivering value creation for farmers and a more sustainable future for our planet.

Our success is dependent on great minds, collaborating to generate bright ideas and deliver exceptional outcomes.

We have over 300 employees, with research sites in Cambridge, MA (USA) and Ghent (Belgium), as well as a product development site in West Lafayette, IN (USA). We've deliberately built a team that brings diversity of thought to all aspects of our business, to generate new ideas, approaches, and ways of operating. And we've intentionally combined experience with potential, bringing agriculture industry experts with the desire to innovate together with bright minds from academia, human therapeutics, software, and consulting. If you want to be part of a diverse and inclusive team developing unique solutions to feed the world while protecting our planet's natural resources, we'd love to hear from you

About the role....

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Project and Business Process Manager to join our diverse and growing team. As Inari continues to develop gene edited products, it is necessary that there is focused project management of these projects and workstreams that integrate the complex set of cross-functional activities and deliverables. This role will also collaborate with our functional teams to optimize business processes by documenting current processes, recommending improvements, leading and/or facilitating the implementation and evaluating the efficiencies gained.

This role will report to the Director of Project Management and ideally based in Inari's West Lafayette, IN location. Open to hybrid or remote for the right candidate.

As a Project and Business Process Manager, you will...

• Lead end to end project management efforts for both gene edited seed products and operational improvement projects facilitating the cross-functional planning and execution from concept/scope development through commercialization/implementation.
• Drive the cross-functional teams to define, develop, and execute project scope, deliverables, success criteria, timelines, and risk assessments.
• Develop, monitor, and report on project progress for our projects:
• Collaborate with cross-functional team to create, document, and track project plans with clear milestones, deliverables, success criteria, risk mitigation plans, and accountabilities.
• Ensure project teams meet key milestones and proactively identify and address risks to meeting them.
• Monitor project resources and proactively collaborate with team members to identify potential constraints and additional required resources / adjustments.
• Facilitate monthly and quarterly project status reporting.
• Lead on-going cross-functional project execution meetings and manage related communications, documentation, and record keeping.
• Ensure projects move through Stage Gate governance process and manage timelines and issues for appropriate handoff to commercial development teams:

• Proactively plan and ensure project team delivery of required inputs and outputs to enable key project decision gates.
• Align project development team objectives across Commercial, Science, Product Development, IP, Legal, and Regulatory teams during the development process.
• Lead and coordinate Leadership Team project reporting including map of sub projects by phase, metrics of sub projects that are on/off timelines, resources required by project, risks/challenges, and key accomplishments, etc.
• Partner with the cross-functional project team members to complete post-project learnings to share with the organization and leadership team to inform future projects.

• Collaborate with various function subject matter experts (SMEs) to document and evaluate existing business processes, identify inefficiencies/pain points, and outline process improvements and future state business processes.
• Coordinate business process improvement strategies with internal stakeholders and support functions (i.e., Technology).
• Collaborate with owning function Stakeholders and SMEs to define implementation plans and stages, timelines, deliverables, success criteria, and workstream owners.
• Oversee the implementation stages of business process improvement initiatives with the owning functions and workstream owners.
• Analyze and monitor implemented changes to business processes and recommend adjustments to function stakeholders as needed.
• Facilitate owning function efforts to revise and update business process procedures and policies.
• Lead and facilitate on-going progress updates related to business process improvement initiatives implementation stages and associated metrics.

You Bring...

• BS degree in Ag, Science disciplines, Engineering,BusinessManagement, Project Management, or related fields.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Project Management.
• Minimum 3 years' direct experience in business process management (Certification preferred).
• Prefer experience in agriculture or related field.
• Proficiency in business management software such as Blueworks.
• Proficiency in timeline management software such as Wrike, MS Project, etc. (experience in PPM software is a plus).
• Ability to demonstrate sound knowledge of business processes methodologies
• Proficiency in SharePoint, Power BI, Power Automate
• Exceptional leadership, collaborative mindset, and excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate in various forms and forums with a diverse range of individuals and audiences.
• Attention to detail and superb recordkeeping, time management, and organizational skills.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to see the big picture.
• Ability to analyze and interpret critical paths, anticipate bottlenecks, draw conclusions, and prepare clear and concise reports and recommendations tailored to an audience.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and ability to connect the dots and foresee impact of various approaches and plan accordingly.
• Adaptability and enthusiasm for new challenges, innate curiosity, and a passion for learning.
• Creative and strategic thinking, willingness to be bold and take risks, and the ability to recognize and learn from failure.
• Ability to work both independently and deliver on responsibilities within a highly collaborative environment.

FOR U.S. CANDIDATES:Please note that we use the resume you submit with your application during our background check process. To ensure an efficient and accurate background verification, we kindly ask that you carefully review and accurately represent your work history, education and other relevant information on your resume. Any discrepancies or inaccuracies found during the background check may impact your candidacy for the position.