Client Accounts- Project Manager

Since 1980, NAI has been a leader in nutritional health, bringing whole food-based supplements to a global population. NAI is a leading expert and manufacturer of dietary supplements. We are involved in every facet of the industry, including research, development, manufacturing and marketing and advocacy. As a company, we continue to grow with manufacturing locations in Vista and Carlsbad, CA. We are looking for seasoned and entry level candidates that are interested in working for a great company with opportunities to grow, competitive pay and benefits.

Note: This is a leadership role supporting client programs within a nutraceutical/contract manufacturing environment.

Summary

The Client Accounts/Project Manager owns a portfolio of client accounts and serves as the project manager for those clients' new product launches and existing product changes. On the project side, this role drives the New Product Implementation process from quote acceptance through small-scale development, commercial production, and shipment, building and managing project plans, timelines, and deliverables while leading a cross-functional team of internal partners. On the account side, this role manages order processing, sales forecasting, and pricing, and works with Business Development to grow existing accounts and onboard new clients. As the primary liaison between clients and NAI's internal teams, the Client Account/Project Manager ensures clear, timely communication, follows through on commitments, and builds strong long-term client relationships. Some travel to client facilities and industry trade shows or conferences may be required, along with client tours and presentations. This is a non-supervisory position.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Project Management

• Serve as the project manager of record for all new product launches and existing product changes on assigned accounts.
• Drive the New Product Implementation process from quote acceptance through small-scale development, commercial production, and shipment.
• Build, maintain, and own detailed project plans: timelines, milestones, owners, dependencies, risks, and critical path items.
• Organize and lead project meetings with the cross-functional core team (R&D, Planning, Quality, Procurement, Packaging, Operations) to drive progress, remove roadblocks, and ensure deliverables are completed on time.
• Track project status, identify risks early, and escalate issues that could affect timing, cost, quality, or customer commitments.
• Keep clients and internal stakeholders updated on project status, milestones, and decisions needed.
• Manage multiple projects at the same time without missing critical deadlines.

Account Management

• Manage day-to-day relationships with assigned client accounts and support Business Development in growing those accounts, helping clients meet their business goals.
• Manage order processing, acknowledgments, and order status. Make sure clients receive promised deliveries as specified in contracts or order acknowledgments.
• Input, analyze, and manage sales forecasts as directed. Work with internal departments and clients to keep projections on track and report account sales performance to internal management/leadership.
• Manage pricing for assigned accounts.
• Work with Business Development Managers to onboard new clients and grow existing accounts.

Client Communication & Liaison

• Act as the primary liaison between clients and NAI's internal teams. Communicate internal feedback, updates, and solutions directly to the client.
• Problem-solve internally and externally to resolve client issues, complaints, documentation requests, and information requests.
• Meet with clients on and off site. Give presentations and facility tours, and travel to client facilities and industry conferences or trade shows as needed.

Compliance & Knowledge

• Stay knowledgeable about, the terms of all client contracts, such as supply and quality agreements; Support Business Development to ensure those agreements are followed.
• Know and follow applicable standard operating procedures.
• Keep up to date on industry trends, regulations, and domestic and global issues that affect clients and the business.
• Additional duties and project work as assigned.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in account management, project management, or a similar client-facing role, including direct ownership of project timelines and cross-functional deliverables.
• Associate's degree or higher required (ideally in related field - business, project management, etc.), or 5+ years applicable experience instead of education.
• Ideal candidate will have project management certification or formal training
• Experience in contract manufacturing, CPG, or dietary supplements preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once without missing critical deadlines, and to stay flexible in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize workload and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must have effective presentation skills and be able to speak comfortably in front of groups.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with client contacts and with people at all levels of the organization, while conducting oneself professionally.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills in managing projects and daily work.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project, Teams, and Zoom.
• Must maintain confidentiality of company financial and other sensitive and proprietary information.
• Strong work ethic; commitment to excellence.

Physical Demands

• Travel to local NAI facilities as needed to meet with NAI team members, vendors, clients, etc.
• Travel as needed to client facilities, trade shows, and client related events.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel; talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and stand.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
• Lifting requirement: Up to 30 pounds. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Work Environment

Computer workstation and climate-controlled office environment. May occasionally enter production areas where personal protective equipment might be required to prevent or lessen exposure to airborne powdered nutritional supplement substances.

NAI is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current NAI employee who was conditionally offered the position.