Program Manager
- OFI
- Chicago, Illinois
- 1 day ago
- Full Time
Job Summary
Employment Type
Full Time
Job Description
We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we're with, whatever we're doing, we always make it real . Position Summary As part of our continued business transformation, ofi is seeking a Program Manager to join our Project Management Office (PMO). This is a highly visible, strategic role responsible for leading and delivering a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives that drive operational excellence and business growth. You will serve as the central orchestrator for large-scale programs, ensuring alignment across business functions, regions, and leadership levels. This includes owning the end-to-end program lifecycle-from strategic planning and stakeholder alignment to execution, monitoring, and successful delivery of business outcomes. The Program Manager will act as a key liaison between technical teams, business units, and executive sponsors-balancing priorities, resolving issues, and maintaining clear visibility into progress, risks, and dependencies. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a dynamic, matrixed environment and brings strong program governance, leadership, and communication skills. Position Responsibilities
- Portfolio Leadership: Provide overall accountability and leadership for a regional portfolio of projects, ensuring strategic alignment and delivery excellence.
- Program Planning & Execution: Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive program plans, including scope, milestones, dependencies, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Cross-Functional Orchestration: Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, planning, finance, HR, and legal teams to drive alignment and ensure smooth execution across all functions.
- Governance & Reporting: Establish and maintain structured project governance processes-conducting regular program reviews, executive updates, and performance tracking against key milestones and KPIs.
- Risk & Issue Management: Build and implement a robust risk management framework to identify, monitor, and proactively mitigate risks before they impact timelines or outcomes.
- Financial Management: Oversee program budgets, build bottoms-up forecasts, manage capital expenditures, and ensure adherence to cost and schedule commitments.
- Change Management: Promote a "preventive rather than corrective" mindset-instilling a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and proactive problem-solving across project teams.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate effectively with executive sponsors, steering committees, and cross-functional teams-providing transparent insights, escalation options, and strategic recommendations.
- Performance Optimization: Continuously evaluate and enhance program management methodologies, tools, and best practices to strengthen PMO maturity and operational efficiency.
- Team Development: Mentor and guide project team members, fostering collaboration, capability growth, and engagement within a high-performance culture.
- Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering, Operations, Industrial Management, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
- 5-8 years of experience leading complex, cross-functional programs within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Proven track record of delivering large-scale initiatives on time, within budget, and with measurable business impact.
- Strong financial acumen-experience building and tracking project budgets, CapEx investments, and ROI-based business cases.
- Demonstrated leadership and influence skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all organizational levels, including senior management.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities; skilled in facilitating meetings and driving alignment among diverse teams.
- PMP certification or equivalent program management training preferred.
- Vacation time from Day 1 - Your time off starts accruing immediately, growing with your tenure.
- Paid Sick Leave - Rest, recover, and return strong - with paid sick leave on ofi.
- Company Paid Holidays - ofi values work-life balance and the importance of celebrating life's special moments.
- 401K Match on Day 1 - Invest in your future with our competitive retirement savings program.
- Career Growth & Learning - Join a company committed to developing talent, fostering innovation, and creating meaningful opportunities.
Job Summary
Employment Type
Full Time
Benefit Insights
Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Vacation Leave
Sick Leave
401(k)
Holiday Pay
Health & Wellness Programs
Tuition Reimbursement
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Medical Flexible Spending Account
Paid Parental Leave
Life Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
OFI
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Job ID: 497134864
Originally Posted on: 10/16/2025