Company Overview
FoodChain ID was founded in 1996 as Genetic ID, a pioneer of the GMO food identification industry, now embraced worldwide. Their technical and business services rapidly expanded to serve clean labels, food safety, and sustainability claims through various verification and certification offerings and a robust suite of testing/business services that expedite food and agricultural exports.
The company is at the vanguard of the New Food industry, providing expertise worldwide to navigate the requirements of an increasingly regulated food economy and technical services to support the demand for clean label standards.
FoodChain ID assists food, feed, and agricultural companies, from the world’s leading brands to single local product producers and is at the forefront of the visibility and transparency revolution. They provide the knowledge, technologies, and tools necessary to meet the growing demand for higher transparency, accountability, safety, and sustainability.
More than 30,000 companies in over 100 countries rely on their industry-leading solutions. They annually certify more than 3 million metric tons of agricultural product for social and environmental responsibility to the ProTerra standard while guiding export to all major markets.
Globally, the company employs 750 people and is rapidly expanding.
Berkshire Partners acquired the company in December 2020. Berkshire Partners, a Boston-based investment firm, has made more than 130 private equity investments since its founding over 30 years ago. Berkshire Private Equity has developed sector experience in business services & technology, communications, consumer, healthcare, and industrials. The firm has a strong history of partnering with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests.
Summary
The PMO Director is responsible for the project planning and analysis, project execution and oversight, and resource management for global solutions and services delivery. The position requires a proactive leader, experienced in achieving quality outcomes for clients, with a high aptitude for operational consistency. The PMO will define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for both service delivery and project management functions, monitor financial performance and seek opportunities for revenue growth and cost optimization, and collaborate with the Professional Services Directors responsible for the delivery teams to deliver the scope of the work in a way that maximizes customer engagement. This position will also work collaboratively with other senior Professional Services department leaders to achieve functional and company success.
The role will report to the Senior Director Global Operations.
Responsibilities
- Lead project planning and analysis to ensure all projects are scoped, risk-assessed, and aligned with organizational goals before execution.
- Drive project execution and oversight, confirming that project management standards are met and projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.
- Manage resource allocation across all projects, optimizing team workloads and ensuring the efficient use of resources.
- Develop PMO strategies, processes, and policies to standardize and elevate project management practices across the division.
- Oversee a portfolio of projects, ensuring strategic alignment and the successful realization of project and divisional goals.
- Foster a culture of accountability by tracking and reporting on project metrics and performance.
- Act as the central point of communication for project statuses, risks, and opportunities between project teams and executive leadership.
- Implement change management processes to navigate and guide projects through organizational changes.
- Mentor and support project managers and teams, championing a culture of excellence in project management.
- Ensure financial rigor within the PMO, managing the budget and financial aspects of project execution.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
- Professional certification in project management (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent) is highly desirable.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, including substantial experience in project planning and analysis.
- Proven expertise in project execution and oversight with a history of leading projects to successful completion.
- Demonstrated skill in resource management, with the ability to oversee multiple project teams and resource pools.
- Solid financial acumen and experience managing project budgets.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop project management talent.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to bridge communication between technical teams and executive leadership.