Job Title: Director, Project Management Office (PMO)

Location: Evanston, IL

Department: Supply Chain

Reports To: VP, Supply Chain

Position Type: Full-Time

Company Background:

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua has annualized sales of over €3.5 billion and a global team of 3,000 employees. 

Ornua is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. We operate from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and have sales and marketing teams working in-market across the globe in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the Middle East, Spain, the UK, and the US. 

You may know us by our brands Kerrygold, Dubliner, Pilgrim’s Choice, Avantage, Forto, and BEO. 

Ornua Foods North America Inc is based in Evanston, Illinois and we market and sell Kerrygold butter and cheese in the North American and LATAM markets.  We are the number two butter brand in the US and number one in the specialty cheddar cheese market. 

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world.  Ornua Ingredients is also responsible for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, the US and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.

Ornua’s Values: 

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together. 

Ornua’s Growth: 

At Ornua, our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable, profitable growth, underpinned by our ambitious ‘Path to Prosper’ strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business, and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years. 

Job Summary:

The Director of the Project Management Office (PMO) will lead the strategic execution of cross-functional initiatives across the Foods Division, ensuring alignment with business goals and delivering measurable value. This role will establish and manage the PMO function, implement project governance frameworks, and drive a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence. 

Key Responsibilities:

New Product Development
- Support innovation and product launches by managing project timelines, resources, and cross-functional collaboration.
- Ensure new product development projects align with strategic business goals and market demands.
- Facilitate communication between R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, and other relevant departments.
- Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure successful product launches.
- Drive continuous improvement in the new product development process to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

PMO Leadership & Governance

- Establish and lead the PMO function, including project standards, methodologies (e.g., Stage Gate), and governance structures.
- Develop and maintain a project portfolio roadmap aligned with strategic priorities.
- Oversee project intake, prioritization, resource allocation, and benefits realization.

Strategic Project Delivery

- Lead the execution of major business transformation and growth initiatives.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., Technical, Quality, Supply Chain, Commercial) to ensure timely, on-budget, and high-quality project delivery.
- Act as the lead for enterprise-wide change initiatives, such as ERP implementations or digital transformation programs.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

- Serve as the primary liaison with executive leadership and global steering committees.
- Facilitate transparent communication of project status, risks, and outcomes across all levels of the organization.
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and support.

Risk, Quality & Change Management

- Implement risk management, quality assurance, and change control processes across the project portfolio.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, technical, and quality standards, particularly in food safety and manufacturing environments.
- Support the people side of change, including training, communication, and adoption strategies.

CoManufacturer and Repacker Qualification

- Develop and implement a comprehensive qualification process for CoManufacturers and Repackers.
- Ensure all third-party manufacturers and repackers meet company quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
- Conduct regular audits and assessments to maintain compliance and performance standards.
- Collaborate with the Quality and Technical teams to address any issues and ensure continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field (MBA or PMP certification preferred).
- 10+ years of experience in project management within CPG/FMCG, food manufacturing, or regulated industries.
- Proven track record of establishing PMO functions and delivering complex, cross-functional projects.
- Strong understanding of quality systems, regulatory compliance (e.g., FSMA, HACCP, BRC), and technical operations.
- Experience qualifying and managing third-party manufacturers and repackers.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working in global, matrixed organizations with diverse teams.
- Experience in a matrixed environment preferred. 

Key Competencies:

Ownership: Takes accountability for results and drives initiatives to completion.

Collaboration: Builds strong cross-functional relationships and fosters teamwork.

Strategic Thinking: Aligns project execution with long-term business goals.

Execution Excellence: Delivers high-quality outcomes through disciplined project management.

Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Leading through ambiguity.

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards. The base salary range for this role is $140 – $170k, depending on the experience of the successful candidate.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 06/13/25

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