R&D Program and Governance Manager

  • West Chicago
  • Ball Horticultural Company
Job Description Job Description Description:

Ball Horticultural Company has committed to delivering products and services through advanced plant technology. Our goal is to deliver products, services and solutions to the industry through our Ball Helix Central Research and Development organization. We are advancing next generation technologies and infrastructure to assure technology leadership in the horticultural industry, including the design, construction, staffing, and management of the best in class research and technical services facility in Chicagoland and at our outlying lab locations around the world.


We are in search of a Program and Governance Manager to provide global research project and portfolio management, enabling project teams to deliver competitive, integrated products that satisfy customer needs. This role will collaborate with both science and business teams to coordinate critical projects with accountability for; project objectives and activities, milestones towards project success and outcomes, cross-functional communications and identifying and addressing project failure-modes to keep projects on-time and on-budget. The Program and Governance Manager position will require a person of high integrity and commitment, as well as substantial leadership and influencing experience.

Additionally, this position will oversee department budgeting and reporting, safety programs, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence and LEAN initiatives.


Well suited candidates will possess a high level of project management experience, exhibit proficiency in cost and productivity tracking, demonstrate the ability to influence without direct authority, and possess acumen in coordinating across organizational boundaries.


Job Responsibilities

Develop and manage disciplined processes for a complex global R&D organization including:

  • Develop and manage processes for: Ideation, research target setting, project prioritization, resource allocation and stage-gate project management.
  • Utilize project management methodology, portfolio management processes, business analysis and resource planning.
  • Manage development and monitor execution of science plans to support project strategy, including considerations for commercial application.
  • Develop/maintain comprehensive project plans containing work breakdown structures, Gantt charts, resource and budget plans to enable efficient cross-functional project execution
  • Assist business leaders, research scientists, and project team members with business case development and project analysis, strategic planning, budget monitoring, resource allocations, scope/tactic changes and issues resolution.
  • Assess overall progress, identify risks on a regular basis, drive mitigation and contingency plans and positively influence the achievement of milestones and deadlines across multiple functions and geographies.
  • Annual budgeting and cost center management.
  • Develop and oversee operational excellence/LEAN initiatives to improve productivity of the Helix team.
  • Drive sustainability and safety initiatives for the department.
  • Develop & deliver communications (newsletters/report - outs/presentations) regarding: project progress and value, annual department strategy review, and bi-annual project portfolio reviews.
Requirements:
  • Master’s degree in agriculture, related sciences & technology, or MBA and 5 years process development/management experience. Strong science background preferred.
  • Relevant project management experience, particularly with large biotech or pharmaceutical product development projects.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in developing graphical presentations that effectively communicate strategy, budgets, timelines, progress, etc.
  • Professional designation in project management and/or minimum of 5+ years relevant experience in business analysis and managing projects desired.
  • Experience managing budgets, cost centers, invoicing, etc.
  • Must be skilled at organizing and aligning stakeholders to gain alignment, overcome issues and partner for success.
  • Experience with Sharepoint or other similar collaborative document and workflow management software.
  • Experienced in coordinating technical approaches with other business activities and priorities to achieve critical objectives for new product development and launch.
  • History of success in working across a broad range of organizational functions and subject matter experts from laboratory and field research to intellectual property, sales & marketing, and supply, for example, as well as with business and external partners.
  • Well-suited candidates will possess a high level of organizational, technical and leadership capabilities.
  • Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
  • Maneuver comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamic.
  • Knows the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
  • Provides direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done.

Physical Requirements

  • Ability to sit/stand 100% of the day.
  • Ability to use hands/fingers 90% of the day.

Our promise to you:

We create excitement in the world of flowers and are the first choice for service. We deliver all the best and nothing else! To you, we deliver a work environment and a culture where building long-lasting relationships internally and externally is important. We believe that good communication, sharing ideas and collaborating on projects will set us up for success. We keep both our feet on the ground and are approachable.


In addition to this we provide a comprehensive Total Rewards package that includes:

  • Medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance
  • 401k/Profit Sharing Retirement Plan
  • Paid time off benefits including vacation and holidays
  • Tuition assistance
  • Employee Assistance Program and Positive Health programs
  • An onsite subsidized café overlooking renowned display gardens and restored natural areas