Project Manager – Client Facing | CPG​/Retailer Expert | F&B Manufacturing

Candy Co is seeking a highly organized, client-facing, and execution-driven Project Manager to lead and coordinate manufactured food projects for major brands. Acting as the "quarterback" of the project lifecycle, you will own initiatives from concept through launch-whether it's a new product, packaging update, regulatory change, or customer-driven request.

You’ll be at the center of it all-aligning timelines, managing deliverables, steering communication, and ensuring every project moves smoothly across Sales, R&D, Operations, Procurement, Quality, and our customers. Your work directly impacts our speed-to-market, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction.

If you know your way around retailer portals (Walmart, Target, Amazon), 1

World Sync, ERP systems, and packaging workflows-and you thrive in a fast-moving, detail-rich environment-you’ll shine here.

• Serve as the primary lead for assigned projects, collaborating with Sales, R&D, Operations, Procurement, QA, and Customer Service.

• Create project briefs and develop clear, comprehensive roadmaps with timelines, task owners, dependencies, and resource requirements.

• Assign and coordinate project teams while controlling scope, minimizing risks, and ensuring accountability.

• Lead recurring project updates, track progress, monitor deliverables, and generate status reports.

• Anticipate potential roadblocks and elevate issues early to keep timelines intact.

• Act as the main client-facing contact for assigned projects.

• Deliver timely, proactive updates on project milestones, launch timing, and key next steps.

• Partner with customers to finalize specifications, packaging requirements, and launch expectations.

• Coordinate customer visits, trials, and sample reviews while providing a professional, polished experience.

• Create, review, and manage packaging dielines with external design partners.

• Conduct fit tests to ensure packaging meets retailer, functional, and regulatory requirements.

• Oversee artwork approvals, regulatory reviews, and cross-functional validation processes.

• Manage packaging-related quality checks and verification steps.

• Oversee new item setups including specs, UPCs, BOMs, batch sheets, and technical documentation.

• Coordinate procurement and ensure timely availability of ingredients, packaging, and equipment.

• Schedule trials, production runs, customer visits, and sample preparation.

• Ensure flawless execution during launch by aligning R&D, Operations, QA, and Production.

• Review and send customer samples with accuracy and timeliness.

• Conduct post-project evaluations to surface wins, opportunities, and improvements.

• Cross-train with other Project Managers to ensure seamless coverage.

• Support team operations by sharing best practices and standardizing workflows.

• Client-facing communicator
  -professional, personable, and proactive.

• Action-oriented leader
  -drives momentum and removes roadblocks.

• Detail-driven & organized
  -manages complex timelines with precision.

• Collaborative team player
  -engages and influences cross-functional stakeholders.

• Strategic & tactical thinker
  -balances high-level goals with execution detail.

• Adaptable & resilient
  -comfortable in deadline-driven, fast-changing environments.

• BA/BS in Business, Operations, Food Science, or a related field.

• 3+ years of project management or operations leadership experience within food, CPG, or retail.

• Experience with retailer portals (Walmart, Target, POL, 1
  
  World Sync).

• Hands‑on experience with dielines, fit tests, and packaging workflows.

• Strong project management fundamentals with on‑time, in‑scope delivery history.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Excellent professional communication skills.

• Experience with ERP, EDI, or PIM systems.

• Familiarity with design/branding partners (Schawk, Equator, Sun Branding, Periscope).

• Exposure to plant operations, QA processes, customer audits.

• PMP certification or equivalent training.

• Ability to…