For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Project Manager, M&A Integration - Supply Chain

Job Location: ​Chicago​

This role is based out of our corporate HQ located in downtown Chicago and requires regular travel to Fairfield, CA.

Want to make an impact?

The Integration Project Manager will be responsible for managing the integration of acquired companies into existing systems and processes, with emphasis on supply chain specific integration tasks. This role will report to the Sr Manager Performance Management within the Supply Chain Operational Excellence team. The Performance Management pillar owns governance, industry benchmarking, and integration, and partners with the three other Operational Excellence pillars: Analytics, Network Strategy, and Productivity.  During active integrations, this position will serve as the Supply Chain primary point of contact to provide integration project status updates to cross-functional and executive leadership. Where bandwidth exists outside of active integration projects, this role will support industry benchmarking and end-to-end supply chain governance including supporting the Governance Committee in performing internal audits to assess compliance.

Ways you will make a difference

  • Develop and execute integration project plans including timelines, resource allocation, and risk management.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify key stakeholders on from both companies.
  • Define integration partnering processes in which key stakeholders perform knowledge sharing activities. 
  • Identify and address potential integration challenges, developing and implementing solutions to mitigate risks.
  • Monitor and report on project progress, performance, and outcomes to senior management.
  • Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and partners to facilitate smooth integration.
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, industry regulations, and best practices throughout the integration process.
  • Influence cross functional subject matter experts to document Supply Chain Policies to include industry best practices within Ferrara’s unique ways of working.

Skills that will make you successful

  • Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain process with a focus on identifying competitive advantages and cross functional hand-offs.
  • Ability to measure risk throughout the supply chain, and to develop and execute risk mitigation plans.
  • Well versed in CPG industry best practices, and ability to translate them into Ferrara’s supply chain model.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop project plans and lead cross functional projects to completion on time and within budget.
  • Demonstrated success working in a matrixed organization.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate with and influence all levels of the organization including Senior Leadership.
  • Ability to travel as needed for projects. Estimated to be 50% of the time during critical project phases.

Experiences that will support your success

  • Bachelor’s degree in one of the following: Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Economics, or similar field is required.
  • 4+ years of project management experience, ideally within consulting or a large consumer products manufacturing company.
  • Previous M&A experience as a Project Manager or dedicated project role.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and track project plans, and present findings to senior leadership in concise, understandable fashion.
     

 

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Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.