Senior Strategic Project Manager

ABOUT US AT KINDER'S:

We are a fast-growing company working hard to bring amazing flavor solutions to consumers that are as exciting and delicious as they are simple to use. Whether we are serving the emerging cook or seasoned pro, we are 100% committed to our mission of bringing awesome flavor to consumers wherever and whenever they are looking for it and in whatever form they want it in be it seasonings, sauces, gravies, marinades, or anything else we can dream up. We drive hard to be the most quality-obsessed, innovative company in any market we serve and while we have experienced tremendous growth over the last 5 years, we think we are just getting started. We love our consumers and are fired up to be part of their flavor journey, and we need more great people to help us continue to raise the bar for what consumers think is even possible in their own kitchens.

Today, we have over 100 products sold nationwide at retailers including Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway and many more. While we have been around for over 75 years, we have experienced explosive growth in the last 5 years and are now a top 5 brand in the U.S. in multiple flavor categories including seasoning blends, BBQ sauce, and wing sauce. To keep our momentum rolling, we need more passionate flavor advocates and builders to come and join our team and help us reach every kitchen across the U.S. and maybe even the world.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Senior Strategic Project Manager at Kinder's will play a pivotal role in our efforts to continue delivering market-leading speed as we continue to grow. You will be responsible for managing major strategic projects that impact the company’s growth, profitability, and operational efficiency. This role requires a results-oriented project leader with strong project management skills, analytical capabilities, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally. This role, in addition to providing support to our innovation efforts, will include management of various high-complexity projects including product pricing process management, margin optimization process management, and support of other enterprise-wide strategic initiatives. 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Project Leadership & Execution:

• Lead and oversee multiple high-impact strategic projects, ensuring timely and successful execution.
• Develop detailed project plans, including scope, timelines, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to keep projects on track and aligned with business objectives.
• Ensure project alignment with corporate strategy and leadership priorities.

 Product Pricing Process Management:

• Work with departmental and senior leadership to update and document our product pricing process (PPP)
• Create clear pricing request process and manage timelines to ensure delivery of key pricing needs on a timely basis
• Facilitate cross-functional communication around pricing inputs (e.g. cost information, margin targets, expense information) and facilitate clear presentation of pricing information to key decision makers
• Coordinate key pricing meetings to facilitate clear and timely decision-making

Margin Optimization Process Management:

• Work with departmental and senior leadership to formalize our margin optimization process (MVP)
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment around key opportunities for margin optimization by driving clear project visibility, financial opportunity, and costs / timelines to achieve
• Establish clear project plans, including scope, timelines, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manage project delivery in the context of dynamic business and market conditions including adjusting / shifting priorities as business needs require.

 Enterprise Initiative Management:

• Work with departmental and senior leadership to formalize process for identifying key Enterprise process or other improvement projects (as and when needed)
• Work closely with leadership to prioritize projects based on business impact and resource availability and drive process to identify key human and other resources required for project delivery
• Develop reporting mechanisms and dashboards to track project performance and outcomes.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and drive accountability across teams.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication:

• Act as a central point of coordination across departments to ensure project success.
• Provide regular updates to departmental and senior leadership on project progress, key milestones, and risks.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

Education / Experience

• 10+ years of experience in project management, strategic planning, or business operations, preferably in the CPG or food industry.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, analytical mindset, and attention to detail.
• Strong financial acumen and comfort reviewing and preparing financial information and presentations detailing financial metrics and analysis.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in project management tools (Wrike experience a plus).
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree (MBA a plus).

Personal Characteristics

• Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach)
• Passionate people-lover excited by the opportunity to build strong relationships with teammates and consumers
• Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment
• Collaborative mindset with an ability to find creative solutions
• Self-starter who takes initiative and is willing to speaks their mind
• Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower where required

THINGS ABOUT THE WAY WE WORK

• No two days here are the same
• We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here
• We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow
• We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk
• We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart
• We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things and we are willing to work hard to achieve them

LOCATION AND TRAVEL

The position will be based out of our Walnut Creek, CA office. 

We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the office on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers and consumers and to have more fun. Our open-plan office has height-adjustable desks, conference rooms, phone booths, well-stocked kitchens full of snacks and drinks and more.