Project Associate

This position can be located at our Walnut Creek, CA Corporate office or ourCorning, CA facility.Mission:
The Project Associate is a key contributor to the brand marketing and sales teams, leading cross-functional team organization, label and project management, and execution of various business initiatives that support existing and new PL and branded opportunities. This candidate will bring energy and a passion for collaboration, hard work, and project management, and ideally would have an interest and/or experience in consumer goods commercialization. The focus of this role will be on private label and value brand product management and label/package design management. Key Result AreasTime UtilizationLead Packaging/Label & Special Business Projects 45%Sales and Brand Marketing Coordination & Support 30%Customer Bids, Maintenance, and Issue Management 10%Marketing Planning and Execution Support 10%Personal Development & Miscellaneous 5%Position RequirementsEducation/Experience:Bachelor s Degree or equivalent relevant experience required.Minimum of 2 years
experience in CPG required.Minimum of 2 years
experience in Project Management, highly preferred.Skills/Knowledge/Ability:Ability to effectively plan and lead projects working directly and collaboratively with cross-functional teams, internal key stakeholders and external partners.Professional maturity; ability to work across all levels in the organization and lead projects effectively.Strong planning and organizational skills.Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.Highly adaptable and resourceful.Strong communication both written and verbal.Familiarity working with marketing, brand management, retailer customers, brokers, and distributors.Full competence with Microsoft Office systems.Key Results AreasObjectives/Activities1. Lead Packaging/Label & Special Business ProjectsReviews and leads execution of Private Label product and packaging projects in line with company strategies.Main point of contact with customers, internal manufacturing and external vendor partners on labels and new items to ensure products are properly developed, changed (as needed), and up to date in systems.Through coordination and leadership with cross functional teams, ensures organizational transparency and compliance in PL and branded requirements. Examples include product and packaging requirements, new item launch expectations, specification database compliance, and audits.Responsible for developing overall project timelines with cross functional inputs; direct bi-weekly team meetings to update development progress, escalate issues needing resolution, gain consensus where necessary, etc.2. Sales and Brand Marketing Coordination & SupportCreate, maintain and publish most current product specification sheets, sell sheets, new item presentation materials, and key sales resources, brand & marketing updates.Coordination and process management for branded and PL New Item Forms, image requests, sample requests etc.Support and coordinate with Brand Marketing and Insights Manager, Cross functional team on PL pipeline and product development.Manage publication of branded product data on 1WorldSync and various trading partner portals.3. Customer Bids, Maintenance, and Issue ManagementManage customer bid process: portal entry, questionnaires, collection of internal information (sustainability, ratings, certifications, audits etc.) helping to maintain ongoing internal bid information.Act as the main point of contact internally to collect all necessary bid information.Support management of large service issues at Customers.4. Marketing Planning and Execution Support Supports department in development of annual marketing objectives and supporting marketing plans.Supports Food Service and Value Brands portfolio management.Works with Brand Marketing and Insights Manager and broker on Amazon business.Works with Brand Marketing and Insights Manager and agency partners to develop and execute tactics consistent with the brand positioning and our consumer targets.5. Personal Development & Misc.Conducts regular interim reviews on goals, accomplishments, roadblocks, job/career satisfaction level with goal of progressing within the marketing organization.Performs other activities as assigned (i.e. Trade Shows).Authority:This role is a member of the Olive Division, this position reports directly to the Brand Marketing and Insights Manager, however, supports Brand Marketing and Sales teams.Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, you must be able to do each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are typical of the physical demands, work environment, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.Physical Demands:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, see and hear. The employee is required to stand; use hands and fingers, handle, feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.Work environment:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles. This position will travel from various facilities where the outside weather conditions can be very cold and wet and very hot and humid. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must be able to work weekends, extended hours and Holiday s as needed.Travel:This position will require up to 20% travel.