About Us:
Since 1935, we’ve been on a mission to bring a little extra happiness to everyday life and inspire connections over food. We select the finest ingredients the world has to offer, craft premium products made with love, and never settle for shortcuts. We believe that when we share our food, we share a part of ourselves — and that’s the only way we’d put our name on it.
Today, our small family company has grown into a national leader in specialty olives, peppers, and sauces under the leadership of CEO Jeff Mezzetta, and our commitment to quality has never wavered. With an 80-year legacy behind us and a bright future ahead, we’re seeking passionate, driven candidates to help us bring our cherished family traditions to a new generation.
The ideal candidate will have an immediate connection to our Core Ingredients:
- Crunchy Crunchy: We are hungry for excellence.
- Own It: We think and act as an owner – with appetite, initiative, and responsibility.
- Connection: We build authentic relationships that foster trust and open communications.
- Vibrance: We come to work eager and passionate about fulfilling our vision. When we share our work, we share a part of who we are.
The Role:
Mezzetta is seeking a process and results-driven Innovation and Commercialization Project Manager to work with cross functional stakeholders by employing project management best practices to deliver projects on time and within budget. Reporting to the VP of Strategy & PMO, this key role will be accountable for the successful adoption and adherence of Mezzetta’s Innovation Stage Gate Process to manage the Innovation pipeline from concept to launch and subsequently, all Commercialization / Go to Market activities required to maximize each product’s potential in the marketplace. This highly strategic role will have high visibility from the entire organization including Executive Leadership.
What you'll do:
- Establish, refine and ensure clarity of our Innovation Stage Gate process throughout the organization.
- Within the Innovation Stage Gate process, lead the overall project management of all Concepts, as well as day to day execution, to deliver key initiatives on time and on budget:
- Oversee all aspects of projects. Set scope, deadlines, assign responsibilities and monitor and summarize progress of project.
- Ensure resource availability and allocation.
- Prepare and maintain timelines/schedules and track milestones for all projects.
- Manage daily project flow, ensuring all cross-functional partners are informed and accountable throughout project process.
- Create appropriate internal communication to support projects and effectively communicate project/task goals, issues, timelines, meeting notes, etc. to project teams and management.
- Perform risk management to minimize project risks.
- Prioritize and execute project objectives, review and interpret project information, collaborate with management to identify and resolve project issues.
- Hold the cross-functional team accountable for process and progress.
- Hold regularly scheduled meetings, report status weekly or bi-weekly with next steps, owners and timing clearly communicated.
- Manage efforts with external partners to support project execution.
- Analyze cause and effect of timeline changes.
- Develop mitigation plans based on risk assessment.
Who you are and what you'll need for the position:
- Minimum 5-7 experience in project management. Innovation & Commercialization experience highly preferred but not required for the right candidate.
- 4 years marketing experience preferred.
- Experience in consumer-packaged goods industry a plus.
- Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.
- Excellent time management, prioritization and project management skills.
- Highly organized, flexible and agile.
- Solution-orientated problem solver.
- Superb communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.
- Ability to work within a high-performance, cross-functional organization with extremely tight timelines and aggressive goals.
- Able to hold stakeholders accountable while also being willing to support and facilitate.
- Possess strong emotional intelligence and communication skills.
- Deep understanding of project management and product lifecycle.
- Ability to scope, and drive engagement through solids comprehension of stakeholder contribution.
- Ability to influence project objectives and goals.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, business planning and project organization.
- Proficiency in Smartsheets preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and SmartSheets (or other Project Management tools).
Education:
- Bachelors required.
- MBA preferred.
- PMP or PMC certification is a plus
- 4+ years of cross-functional team leadership and project management experience in CPG industry is essential.
- New product development/commercialization or brand management experience is preferred.
Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace:
At Mezzetta, we embrace diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where you know you belong. Part of that commitment includes a zero-tolerance policy and being an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at Mezzetta are solely based on merit, qualifications, abilities and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, family or parental status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. All of us share in the responsibility of fulfilling this commitment and creating a culture where our team can thrive.
