Project Manager Manager

Kalon Executive Search•San Diego, CA

About The Position

A large dietary supplement contract manufacturer is seeking a working leader to manage and develop its customer-facing client services project team while remaining involved in active customer work and taking on projects as needed. The role connects Sales, R&D, Planning, Quality, Procurement, Packaging, Operations, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure new customers and products launch on schedule with clear internal alignment and professional communication. The manager will also oversee existing accounts and projects and strengthen client relationships. The position is responsible for setting team standards, coaching and training account and project managers, overseeing account administration and portfolio growth, and teaching core processes such as pricing, new product setup and launches, sales forecasting, document control, and customer requirements. It oversees project delivery from intake through launch and post-launch review, including project planning, meetings, progress tracking, risk escalation, status updates, and direct project or account management when needed. The role also identifies recurring problems and process gaps, improves commercialization processes and tools, helps develop department procedures, and manages the department budget. Compensation is a base salary of $120,000–$145,000 plus benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
At least 5 years of hands-on project management experience directly owning project plans, schedules, and cross-functional launches.
At least 2 years supervising, training, and developing staff.
Project management experience in the nutraceutical or dietary supplement industry.
Ability to manage multiple projects while supporting the work of others.
Strong organizational, scheduling, and time-management skills.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills with internal teams and customers.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management software.

Nice To Haves

Background in contract manufacturing, CPG, or dietary supplements.
PMP or similar project management certification.

Responsibilities

Own the performance and capability of the client services team of account and project managers.
Establish standards for account and project management, including project plans, timelines, meeting rhythms, and customer communications.
Coach and train the team through formal training and side-by-side work on active customer projects.
Oversee day-to-day account administration and growth of the existing customer portfolio.
Teach core processes including pricing, new product setup and launches, sales forecasting, document control, and meeting customer requirements.
Ensure projects are managed from intake through launch and post-launch review, including product changes and commercialization of new business.
Build and maintain detailed project plans with timelines, milestones, owners, dependencies, risks, and critical-path items, and hold the team to the same standard.
Lead or participate in internal and customer project meetings to move work forward, clear obstacles, and keep deliverables on track.
Track progress across team projects and escalate issues that could affect timing, cost, quality, or customer commitments.
Coordinate with other departments to deliver product launches and company initiatives and meet client requests.
Provide Sales and company leadership with regular updates on launch status, milestones, risks, and decisions requiring commercial input.
Directly manage projects or accounts when needed.
Ensure customer issues, requests, and risks are handled promptly and professionally.
Identify recurring problems and process gaps and improve commercialization processes, tools, templates, and best practices.
Help develop department procedures and manage the department budget.