IT Project Manager at Aspire Bakeries in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Aspire Bakeries is a North American baking company with a leadership position in specialty frozen baked goods. Formed from leading bakery companies, its innovative food portfolio includes breads, artisan breads, buns, cookies, donuts, muffins and pastries from beloved brands likeLa Brea Bakery,Otis Spunkmeyer, andOakrun Farm Bakery. With 13 bakeries in North America, we are committed to driving innovation, predicting upcoming consumer trends and flavors, and exceeding our customers' expectations. Aspire Bakeries champions the values of Integrity, Ownership, Customer Focus, Creativity and Care to help us deliver on People Safety, Food Safety, Quality and Collaboration.

The primary purpose of the IT Project Managerrole is to lead, oversee and ensure the successful delivery and management of single or multiple IT projects for North America or global within scope, quality, time and cost constraints that may be clearly defined or may require dynamic change management to deliver business value. Must possess extensive knowledge and expertise in the use of Project Management methodologies and tools.

Responsibilities:

• Analyze project proposals to determine time frame, funding limitations and appropriate process for accomplishing projects.


• Identify and schedule project deliverables, milestones, and required activities and tasks.


• Provide leadership and motivation to project team members throughout the project life cycle, and confer with project staff to outline work plan.


• Establish work plan and required resources for project activities, iterations or phases, and work with PMO and business for recruitment or assignment of project personnel.


• Implement project communication plan.


• Perform risk assessment, and implement mitigation plans.


• Monitor project activities, ensuring the quality and integrity of the information, while providing consistency in content and "look and feel" across the enterprise.


• Ensure that project goals are accomplished and are in line with business objectives.


• Assign duties, responsibilities and scope of authority to project personnel.


• Direct and coordinate activities of project personnel to ensure that the project progresses on schedule and within chartered scope and budget.


• Prepare or review status reports prepared by project personnel, and modify schedules or plans as required.


• Follow established standards and procedures for project reporting and documentation.


• Continuously benchmark project management performance and standards to identify improvements and achieve higher capability maturity in project and portfolio management.

Required Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information systems or a related field; project management and/or general business management; or equivalent, related IT experience. Project manager training and certification desirable, but not required.

Required Experience

• Three or more years of IT experience, with sensitivity and commitment to business problem solving


• A minimum of two years of demonstrated competency in a junior or assistant project management role involving the execution of multiple projects or a large project


• Three or more years of BU or BU-facing experience, with sensitivity and commitment to business problem solving


• Demonstrated experience in leading a team


• Demonstrated experience and ability in successfully using "soft skills" or "people skills"

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to lead and motivate others; demonstrating empathy and knowledge of personality types


• Familiar with project management methodologies


• Demonstrated sensitivity to working in a political environment and to interacting with senior leadership


• Knowledge of project-planning tools


• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills


• Expertise in setting and managing customer expectations

Aspire Bakeries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.