Innovation Project Manager - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

Innovation Project Manager

Job Description: 

The Organization

Organically Grown Company (OGC) is the largest wholesale distributor of organic produce in the Pacific Northwest with Eugene and Portland, Oregon and Kent, Washington locations, wholly owned by employees and growers.  Founded over 30 years ago by organic farming pioneers, today it retains a commitment to regional and family scale organic farmers and sustainable business practices, nurturing long-standing relationships across the supply chain between farmers and retail customers that range from large grocery chains to single-store co-ops.

This profitable, fast-growing business is nationally recognized for its innovative mission-driven business model that has propelled is success in the marketplace.  Last year OGC distributed over a hundred million pounds of organic produce to consumers across the region.  Though OGC now employs over 250 people, its original cultural values remain at the heart of the business-we are passionate about produce and sustainability, and maintaining a unique workplace where we share ownership and operate with cooperation, candor, transparency, joy and gratitude.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Organizational Development, Sustainability & Trade Advocacy, OGC seeks an Innovation Project Manager.  This key manager will collaborate closely with the Director on a wide variety of projects that advance and improve organizational effectiveness.  Specific responsibilities will include acting as a company-wide resource to develop and manage work teams to advance continuous improvement and innovation projects at OGC in a way that collaboratively engages stakeholders in evolving core business processes.    

Organizing Project Catalog & Communicating Status/Progress:  Develop a process for bringing forward continuous improvement ideas and innovation projects, work closely with the Director and Customer Service and Governance Teams to ensure proper vetting and assignment of ideas/projects to department-level or cross functional teams.  Manage project catalogue and communicate project status and successes (including ROI) back to the steering committee and company.  

Team Building & Change Management:  Assemble innovation teams (with the guidance of the Management Team) of the right skill and influence mix to successfully tackle specific projects and issues, ensure quality team facilitation and adherence to best practices in analysis and project management,  while working with teams on methods for ensuring collaboration and project buy-in for solutions and outcomes. Support teams by helping to gather data, identify and remove blocks to success, and garner resources that will ensure success.

Teaching Project Management Skills & Change Management Tools:  Educate staff and assembled innovation teams in the practical tools and knowledge to be used for all continuous improvement, innovation and project management activities at OGC, both informally though hands-on coaching and formally through the staff training program.

Ideal Candidate: 

An ideal candidate will be a seasoned project manager and change agent that has previously worked in dynamic fast-growing work environments with 300+ employees. They must have personal alignment with OGC’s mission and core values along with a minimum of four years of related experience with appropriate trainings and certifications.  A background that includes extensive knowledge of project and change management best –practices, the responsibility for building and facilitating diverse project teams to carry out successful change initiatives into the day-to-day workings of an organization and a proven track record of successfully implementing continuous improvement and innovation projects.  

OGC seeks candidates with an authentic commitment to its mission and future aspirations, and a desire to grow with the company. A proven ability to work cooperatively across functions and all levels of the organization with teams to meet deadlines and deliver measurable results, along with an aptitude and appetite to thrive in a fast-paced environment with rapidly changing priorities and competing demands for time and resources are essential.  It also values the demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse cultures and those with varied backgrounds.

Additional Information:

 To apply for this position, please submit your resume along with a cover letter that includes your response to the questions listed below

  1. What experience do you have that qualifies you for this position with OGC?
  2. What is the most challenging work you have performed in your employment history?  
  3. Why might you want to work for OGC?
  4. What is your current/target compensation level?

Thank you for your interest. Organically Grown Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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