Manager, PLM and Digital Systems

Purpose Statement

Rich Products is growing and transforming. We are embracing technology and driving innovation across the enterprise to better empower our associates and provide enhanced services and products to all our customers. As part of this initiative, our world-class Research & Development team has undergone significant reorganization and is now known as Research, Innovation & Compliance (RIC).
 
The RIC team is expanding and we’re currently looking for a Manager, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) & Digital Systems. This role will be part of our newly created Digital Center of Excellence.

The Manager, PLM and Digital Systems leads initiatives to operationalize and optimize recipe management and digital solutions within the PLM ecosystem.  Acting as a thought leader, they partner with IS, Demand Creation, and Speed To Market (STM) to develop operating models, ensuring seamless integration between PLM, ERP, and STM. They serve as the PLM liaison for acquisitions and special projects, bringing expertise in PLM processes and workflows. Additionally, they support the PLM user community by developing training materials, providing ongoing education for R&D developers and specialists, and facilitating PLM tasks across functional teams. As a subject matter expert, they represent R&D in technical domains with PLM interdependencies, such as ERP and STM.

This role is based at our WHQ in Buffalo, NY.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

•    Lead and execute high complexity activities regarding recipe management including co-manufactured and international projects. Influence internal and external project teams on project scope and technical research plans on a complex range of recipe management. Utilizing a strong understanding of Rich Products business strategies, and technology to meet project success criteria.

•    Line manager of the RIC US/Canada PLM Specialist Team and Global Markets PLM analysts.

•    Support ERP Transformation from current PLM standpoint ensuring seamless PLM integration with S4Hana.

•    Support PLM Transformation scoping and shaping in service of system modernization, including due diligence, gap assessment initiatives, and inputs to fit for purpose specifications.

•    Supports PLM troubleshooting from PLM Specialist Team, RIC, STM and the plants in service of business continuity of workflows. Works with proper resources to correct issues or develop new process

•    Accountable for creating PLM training materials and training for the RIC organization

•    Create and designs and maintains workflow.

•    Support M&A initiatives as a PLM system expert

•    Ensure proper IP and authorization for developers viewing formulas, FG recipes and data.

•    Facilitate an environment that fosters innovation culture by continually introducing ideas that will allow the R&D developer to work faster and more efficiently.

•    Question the status quo in pursuit of technological innovations and disruptions to define and develop the best-in-class systems & experiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Required:

•    Bachelor’s Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field with 5+ years of experience of R&D System related Process Workflows and/or relevant Digital system experience; knowledge of Speed to Market business process (or equivalent stage gate processes), including PLM work flows.
•    Comprehension of B2B and/or B2C product lines, role of R&D specifications in projects and a working knowledge of the production facilities manufacturing those product lines
•    2+ years of line management experience.
•    Demonstrated experience with R&D data management, role of specifications, and role of knowledge management.
•    Experience with Digital solutions surrounding PLM ecosystem.
•    Demonstrated organizational skills; Demonstrated solid written and verbal communication skills.
•    Demonstrated experience in leading multiple high complexity projects including companywide priorities in a cross-functional environment while delivering significant results.
•    Lead and execute high complexity activities regarding recipe management including co-manufactured and international projects. Influence internal and external project teams on project scope and technical research plans on a complex range of recipe management
•    Expertise with a recipe management system and interconnections between PLM, ERP and Project Portfolio Management (PPM) processes.
•    Demonstrated experience to deal with ambiguity and can comfortably manage risks, changing priorities, and uncertainty.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work and influence across functions including senior leadership.
•    Excellent project management skills.

Preferred:

•    Experience with PLM and ERP transformation.  
•    Working knowledge of SAP PLM.
•    Experience working with multiple geographical markets.

Physical Requirements:

•    Ability to sit for extended periods of time performing tasks requiring analytical and logical thinking
•    Ability to use a keyboard and standard office automation tools for documentation and communication