Project Manager / Program Manager / Special Project – Marketing

The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s/applicant’s qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship not available.

Our client is seeking a Project Manager / Program Manager / Special Project – Marketing in Kissimmee, FL

Role Description

• Run the development cadence for Toys and Dolls: own the hardlines seasonal calendar, project plans, meeting agendas, decision logs, and action follow-through for weekly development meetings and sample and packaging reviews; make sure meetings end in decisions and decisions land in systems.
• Own quarterly project plans in Smartsheet: build each program from standard key-date templates based on complexity and set dates; maintain plans through delivery, keep them aligned with PLM, and manage access control for internal and external users.
• Integrate packaging into every plan: sequence packaging structure development, dielines, art release, and print proofs with product milestones, keeping Smartsheet aligned with Packaging Creative Ops' Adobe Workfront schedule so packaging never gates a ship date.
• Track and escalate: identify at-risk milestones early, drive recovery plans with Sourcing Managers, Asia teams, and suppliers, and escalate with options and a recommendation – protecting speed to market.
• Protect data integrity: keep PLM (project, item, supplier nomination) and Smartsheet reconciled as the single source of truth; move status out of email and into systems.
• Build and maintain development health KPIs and metrics: cost sign-off, tool start, PLM system milestones, PO status, and on-time delivery – delivered through technology-driven dashboards for cross-functional teams and executive audiences.
• Prepare development status inputs for recurring business review meetings; consolidate updates so leaders and stakeholders get one clear view.
• Production & PO management: review and manage Sourcing-owned PO change requests in Kleinschmidt, our PO management system; track PO fulfillment and transit status; and actively coordinate with Planning and Logistics on priority POs.
• Standardize the toolkit: templates and SOPs; document the operating model so it survives the assignment and can be extended to additional hardlines classes.
• Drive process improvement and operational excellence: identify process blockers and recommend fixes, favoring fewer steps and clearer decision rights over added process.

Skills & Requirements

• 7+ years of program or project management experience in consumer products new product development, sourcing, or manufacturing, managing a portfolio of concurrent projects with cross-functional partners and external suppliers.
• Working knowledge of a hardlines / durable goods product development lifecycle: concept and design, costing, sampling, tooling, testing, and production.
• Advanced Smartsheet or similar PM software tool user: templates, dependencies, reports, dashboards, and automations.
• Strong reporting and data skills: experience building KPI dashboards with technology tools.
• Hands-on experience with a PLM system as a working user.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication; ability to lead cross-functional meetings with authority and drive them to decisions and outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management; highly organized and proactive; comfortable with high volume, ambiguity, and shifting priorities.
• Able to work effectively across time zones with Asia-based sourcing teams and suppliers; vendor management experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Program Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Toy product development or project management experience (PMO or NPD program management).
• Experience with Smartsheet, PTC FlexPLM, Adobe Workfront, Kleinschmidt, Coupa, Tableau, Snowflake, and AI tools.
• Packaging development familiarity: structure, dielines, art release, and print approval.
• Strong knowledge of IP.
• Track record of building or standardizing operating processes and scaling them across organizations.
• Familiarity with and comfort leveraging AI tools to accelerate planning, reporting, and day-to-day work.

Benefits/Other Compensation

This position is a contract/temporary role where Hays offers you the opportunity to enroll in full medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, 401K and Life Insurance ($20,000 benefit).

Why Hays?

You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there’s a position you really want, you’re fully prepared to get it.

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Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays’ guiding principles is ‘do the right thing’. We also believe that actions speak louder than words. In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us.

In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text 813.336.5570.

Drug testing may be required; please contact a recruiter for more information.

#1187209 - Michelle Salanitro