Position Title: Program Manager, R&D Strategic Transformation
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Position Location: Oakbrook Terrace
Grade: Grade 06
Requisition ID: 29083
JOB PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Global R&D function is to drive innovation, maintain a strong core product portfolio through product performance, quality, and efficiency, and ensure competitive advantage through the application of new technologies. The Global R&D Team is part of McCain's Global Growth & Strategy function and reports to Global Marketing and Innovation.
The Program Manager, R&D Strategic Transformation is a key member of the Global R&D function, reporting to the Sr. Director, Strategic Transformation & Portfolio Management, and is responsible for program management of key global initiatives to support the R&D 5 Year Transformation Plan and Global R&D strategy. The role will be accountable for structuring workstreams, building project/program plans, monitoring progress and tracking metrics/KPIs, communicating program status to key stakeholders in and outside of R&D, proactively mitigating and managing risks, and ensuring program deliverables are delivered on time and at a high level of quality. This role will interface closely with the Global R&D Leadership Team and will be responsible for providing regular progress updates on key initiatives supporting the R&D strategic roadmap. Although the role is an individual contributor role, it will require managing Team members on projects to ultimately deliver program goals.
In addition to managing key strategic R&D programs, this role will also play a critical role in supporting the global R&D communication strategy, including but not limited to, key updates of R&D initiatives to stakeholders and broader R&D and GG&S community, and managing technical program update forums.
The candidate will have a record of having managed complex programs, demonstrating an ability to manage R&D and crossfunctional stakeholders with strong communication skills and a solid understanding of R&D processes.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage, maintain, and communicate progress across multiple strategic initiatives related to R&D Transformation Plan, including program management of Product Stewardship, among others
• Follow structured approach for initiative management, including reviews with key stakeholders (R&D and non-R&D) to ensure expectations are aligned, projects are progressing as planned, and risks/issues are quickly identified and proactively mitigated/resolved
• Provide regular status updates to program sponsors and project Teams
• Ensure program meetings have clearly defined agendas, objectives, and clearly defined outputs
• Prepare content for presentations for various audiences, from the R&D community to senior leadership
• Support the Sr. Director, R&D Strategic Transformation and Portfolio Management, in developing a communication strategy for Global R&D
• Create dashboards to communicate progress towards program goals and KPIs
• Collaborate closely with the Global Functional Excellence Team to communicate progress on R&D Transformation Plan to R&D Team and broader stakeholder group, leveraging existing and potential new communication channels as appropriate (i.e. Team meetings, Sharepoint/ MS Teams, MCCain intranet)

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• Project Management Skills: identification and management of stakeholders, milestone development and progress tracking, risk mitigation, detailed action planning, and change management
• Knowledge of project management practices and tools; PMP certification is an asset
• Excellent communication skills to effectively articulate program status, including escalations and risks, to various audiences
• Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to Senior Leadership in a concise, effective, and professional manner
• Ability to influence others without direct authority over them
• Proven capability to develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships across global and regional functions; highly developed interpersonal skills
• Strong ability to "think big and plan ahead" and anticipate issues before they arise
• Great organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills to proactively address and mitigate issues
• Ability and comfort in dealing with ambiguity
• A high sense of urgency and professionalism when taking on new opportunities with the ability to make recommendations
• Strong process knowledge, detail oriented with an ability to simplify

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCES:

• Practical experience in R&D is a MUST
• Strong organizational skills combined with experience in program management and tracking is required. Experience with a Program Management Office is desirable
• A solid understanding of the workings of an R&D organization the size and scope of McCain is preferred
• Bachelor's Degree required
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience

OTHER INFORMATION

• Key internal relationships: Stakeholders across Global Leadership Team, Global R&D Functional team, Regional teams, Regional Marketing & Innovation Leaders
• Travel: as required

Job is primarily performed in a hybrid environment with 2-3 days per week in an office setting
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We see value in ensuring we have a diverse, antiracist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable workplace. As a global family-owned company we are proud to reflect the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that diversity drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.
The health and safety of McCain employees and their families has been our number one priority since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccination restrictions easing across the globe we do not currently require employees to be vaccinated, but we reserve the right to change this mandate in line with health guidance and regulations in each country.
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Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Research and Development
Department: RD Strategic Transformation
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace || CA - Canada : Ontario : Toronto
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.