Associate Manager Planning Business Operations CPG Physical Products

Position Overview:We are seeking a proactive and highly organized Associate Manager, Planning & Business Operations with hands-on experience managing projects and operations within a consumer packaged goods (CPG) or physical product environment. This role is responsible for driving cross-functional projects forward across a portfolio of product initiatives, including launches, renovations, and discontinuations.This is a hands-on, ownership-driven role for someone who can independently drive projects, build and improve tracking systems, identify risks and blockers, and create structure across multiple workstreams. The ideal candidate is not simply a project support resource, but a proactive self-starter and builder who can take initiative, solve problems, and keep teams aligned and moving forward.You will work closely with stakeholders across R&D, product, marketing, operations, supply chain, and other cross-functional teams to ensure projects move efficiently from initial brief through launch, renovation, or discontinuation. Success in this role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, proactive communication, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment where priorities and scope may evolve.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:Independently drive and coordinate cross-functional projects across product launches, renovations, and discontinuations, ensuring timelines, milestones, dependencies, and deliverables remain on track.Build, maintain, and continuously improve project timelines and tracking systems in Monday.com, Airtable, or similar platforms.Monitor project progress against critical paths and proactively identify risks, blockers, dependencies, and overdue tasks, escalating issues when appropriate.Own follow-up with cross-functional stakeholders on outstanding actions, inputs, and decisions to maintain momentum between formal meetings.Coordinate cross-functional inputs for product briefs, portfolio reviews, and alignment meetings, ensuring information is complete and delivered on time.Prepare and facilitate recurring cross-functional meetings, including agenda development, documentation of decisions, and distribution and follow-up of action items.Maintain accurate portfolio-level sources of truth, including SKU lists, discontinuation trackers, label changes, and at-risk or out-of-stock processes.Build and improve project management workflows, identifying opportunities to reduce manual effort, improve visibility, and increase operational efficiency.Maintain data integrity across project management tools, dashboards, and portfolio trackers to support accurate decision-making.Develop, test, and refine AI-enabled solutions, including Claude skills and projects, to scale team workflows and improve planning and business operations.Proactively identify gaps in processes, systems, and cross-functional workflows and take ownership of implementing improvements.Support the continuous improvement of Airtable bases, Monday.com boards, dashboards, and other operational tools.Serve as a key connector across teams, ensuring priorities, decisions, timelines, and next steps are clearly communicated and understood.
Requirements:Minimum Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field.3+ years of experience independently driving projects, project management, business operations, or cross-functional initiatives.Required: Hands-on experience working in a CPG, food & beverage, consumer products, or other physical product environment.Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple concurrent projects and workstreams from planning through execution.Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to build structure and maintain visibility across complex initiatives.Proven ability to proactively identify risks, blockers, dependencies, and opportunities for improvement.Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear project updates, meeting recaps, and follow-ups.High attention to detail and strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.Experience working cross-functionally with teams such as product, R&D, marketing, operations, supply chain, or commercial.Hands-on experience with project management and workflow tools such as Monday.com, Airtable, Asana, or similar platforms.Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with competing priorities and evolving scope.Advanced English proficiency.Preferred Qualifications:Project ownership and executionProactive and self-starter mindset.Strong organizational and project management skills.Cross-functional stakeholder management.Process building and continuous improvement.Physical product / CPG operations understanding.Attention to detail and operational discipline.Problem-solving and sound judgment.Ability to identify and escalate risks proactively.Strong written communication and structured reporting.Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments.Curiosity and willingness to research, learn, and experiment with new tools.AI and technology adaptability.
Key Skills and Competencies:Strong project coordination and organizational skills.Cross-functional communication and stakeholder management.Attention to detail and operational discipline.Process improvement and continuous optimization mindset.Ability to manage multiple priorities in dynamic environments.Clear written communication and structured reporting abilities.Adaptability and proactivity in fast-changing contexts.
Additional Information:Availability to commute to La Asunción, Belén de Heredia.Work schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Full-time role; candidate must be flexible with working hours based on operational needs.Salary paid in US dollar.Medical Expense Insurance.Solidarist Association.Strategic partnerships with educational institutions to offer courses, certifications, or degree programs at preferential rates.
Join our team! If you're ready to take on new challenges and contribute your expertise in a dynamic and professional environment, this is your opportunity.