R&D Project Manager

Job Overview:  

Our Innovation Center in Vernon Hills, IL is actively seeking a Project Manager to lead/manage projects aimed at developing profitable growth. As a key member of the New Product Development (NPD) team, you will lead various projects across diverse markets including pet care, animal health, fluids purification, agriculture, industrial, sports field, and automotive. This position involves direct engagement with a wide continuum of senior, technical, and functional leaders, and experts across the organization. 

Responsibilities:

• Manage projects in the New Product Development pipeline from concept to post launch.
• Develop project charters, budgets, risk assessments, pro forma financial statements, resource plans, timelines, and periodic status reports.
• Collaborate with multiple functional areas such as R&D, Engineering, Marketing, Finance, Manufacturing, Legal/Regulatory, sales, and Supply Chain to accomplish project goals and deliverables.
• Monitor project progress against project plan and identify and report any potential changes that can affect project goals, timeline, or budget. Must be a strong communicator.
• Present project progress reports to key stakeholders in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Engineering, Statistics, Business, or other related field.  Master’s degree a plus.
• 3-5 years of project management experience, leading multiple projects with a strong understanding of project management principles.  

• PMP certification required.

Skills & Abilities:

• Good financial skills include experience with return-on-investment models, pro forma financial statements, and cost models.
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to effectively operate in a team environment with multiple cross-functional groups.
• Must have excellent leadership skills as demonstrated by the ability to elicit support from stakeholders and team members.
• Must have good time management skills to manage multiple projects and negotiate priorities and timelines.