R&D Project Coordinator

Job Summary

Blount Fine Foods is seeking a Project Coordinator to support our Project Manager in executing and delivering key initiatives specific to licensed and owned brand consumer packaged goods (CPG). This role is critical in ensuring projects are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with both Blount and our brand partner’s standards.In the event of an absence, position will be filled by trained personnel.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist the Project Manager in planning, executing, and closing CPG projects across the development, commercialization, product management, and sales support processes.
• Compile all relevant project information for the commercialization team to utilize during setup and launch phases. Assist in product set-up, when needed.
• Create and monitor detailed project timelines, communicating all changes to appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner. Track project deliverables using project management tools.
• Supply all appropriate information to the Project Manager to ensure effective communication with the sales team and customers.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation including project scope, status reports, meeting minutes, and timelines at risk.
• Facilitate communication between stakeholders and escalate issues as needed.
• Monitor transition projects to minimize waste by collaborating with procurement and production for effective change management.
• Support procurement and logistics for project-related materials and scheduling.
• Work with Regulatory team to ensure compliance with FDA/USDA regulations for new products and label updates.
• Assist in conducting post-project evaluations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Other responsibilities w/ similar skill and work conditions as assigned. 

Responsibilities for Food Safety

• Responsible for completing required paperwork accurately and honestly as applicable.
• Must adhere to all corporate GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), established SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and all Food and Employee Safety policies.
• Must adhere to all Allergen control programs and procedures as applicable.
• Responsible for reporting suspicious packages, activities, and individuals.
• If monitoring CCPs (Critical Control Points), must be trained in HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) and adhere to approved HACCP plan(s).

Required Skills/Abilities

• 2-year degree in Project Management, Business, or related field: or two years of experience in project coordination, preferably in food manufacturing: or an equivalent combination of education and experiences.
• Strong organizational, time management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management software (e.g., Wrike).
• Knowledge of food regulatory compliance is a plus.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Education and/or Experience

• A Bachelor of Science and/or Business from a four-year college: or two years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience to perform successfully in the position.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• This position requires the ability to travel; pre-employment and screening of Motor Vehicle Record every two years and personal automobile insurance coverage in accordance with the Blount Fine Foods Employee Handbook.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; toxic or caustic chemicals and extreme cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.