ERP Change & Communications Lead - Bailey Nurseries at Bailey Nurseries – Newport, Minnesota

Position Title: Change Management and Communications Lead – ERP Implementation

Reports To: CHRO (primary); dotted-line to CFO

Location/Work arrangement: On-site in Newport, MN (limited hybrid options as needed)

Employment Type: Temporary. Exempt

Term: Project expected duration 12-18 months, with potential extension based on business needs

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Change Management and Communications Leader to guide our organization and build a people-centered communication approach during our ERP transformation. This role will develop and execute a structured change management and communications strategy to help the organization navigate the transition, minimize disruption, empower people, and maximize adoption across functions and geographies. Throughout this transformation, this role will facilitate adoption while also cultivating a culture that embraces change amid uncertainty.

The ideal candidate is as comfortable working with executive leaders as with customer-facing, operational, and enterprise support functions, and understands how to shape communications and training to fit the unique culture of a mid-size, family-owned, professionally managed, privately held company.

Key Responsibilities

Change Strategy & Planning

• Develop, implement and scale a comprehensive change management strategy aligned with ERP project milestones, business goals, and organizational culture.
• Conduct stakeholder assessments, change impact analyses, and readiness evaluations to identify opportunities, risks, and required interventions.
• Identify potential change risks, define mitigation plans, and incorporate activities into the implementation plan.
• Define clear objectives, success metrics, and reporting mechanisms for adoption and engagement.

Communications & Engagement

• Design and manage the ERP program communications plan, including executive briefings, employee updates, FAQs, town halls, and training communications.
• Create messaging that connects business goals with personal impact for employees, reinforcing the “why” behind the change.
• Create and maintain communication artifacts to support varying audiences and needs (e.g., leadership updates, program updates, FAQs, key decision summaries, milestone/phase calendars).
• Coach leaders and project sponsors on effective communication and change advocacy.
• Ensure consistent, transparent messaging across functions to reduce uncertainty and maintain trust.

Training & Adoption Support

• Partner with the ERP project team and functional process owners to develop user readiness and training roadmap.
• Coordinate with HR and Learning resources to design and deploy training materials tailored to key user groups (operations, finance, sales, logistics, etc.).
• Establish an ongoing training approach for post go-live support (e.g., new employee onboarding, refreshers, role changes).
• Establish channels for feedback and issue escalation during go-live and stabilization phases.
• Track progress of adoption throughout project and provide recommendations on post go-live reinforcement.

Culture & Leadership Alignment

• Ensure the change approach reflects the company’s family-owned values, emphasizing respect, accountability, and clear communication.
• Facilitate leadership sessions to strengthen sponsorship commitment and reinforce desired behaviors.
• Support the development of internal change champions across departments and sites.

Expected Deliverables

• Comprehensive Change Management Strategy & large-scale Execution Plan
• Stakeholder Alignment and Readiness Assessments with high-risk mitigation recommendations
• ERP Communications Plan and Message Framework catered to milestones
• Management of Communication Artifacts (newsletters, intranet updates, FAQs, leader toolkits)
• Training and Adoption Support Plan for customer success
• Post-Go-Live Adoption and Lessons Learned Report

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of organizational change management and communications experience, including ERP or large-scale technology transformation projects.
• Experience in Agile methodology and partnering with business teams to successfully connect technology and value creation operating models.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end ERP processes (finance, supply chain, production planning, order management).
• Demonstrates outstanding communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management capabilities, consistently fostering trust within a highly collaborative setting.
• Experience designing and delivering targeted communication and training content.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience working with family-owned or mid-sized manufacturing and distribution businesses.
• Change management certification (e.g., Prosci, ACMP).

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Office environment; extended periods of sitting/standing; occasional lifting up to 15 lbs.; reasonable accommodations available. Core hours 7am to 3:30pm, some flexibility for meetings.

Company Overview

Bailey Nurseries is a multi-generational, family-owned business with over $100 million in annual revenue, with operations and office locations in five U.S. states. The company produces and distributes its products to approximately 3,000 customers across North America, with additional royalty and licensing partnerships around the world. The organization is embarking on a multi-year ERP implementation to unify systems, modernize operations, and strengthen its foundation for future growth.

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check

Bailey Nurseries is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Employment with Bailey Nurseries is at-will and may be terminated at any time by either party, in accordance with applicable law.

If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact our HR team.