Program Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Institute of Food Technologists

OVERVIEW

The Program Manager supports the execution of Global Food Traceability Center (GFTC) portfolio of traceability and digital transformation initiatives by ensuring projects are well-organized, coordinated, and progressing on schedule.

This role works across internal teams and external partners, including industry, government, NGOs, and technology providers, to bring structure to evolving initiatives, maintain visibility into progress, and support timely delivery of key outputs. The Program Manager plays a central role in keeping projects moving forward and ensuring alignment across stakeholders, with guidance and support from GFTC leadership.

This position is based at our headquarters in Chicago, IL; however, applicants from other locations may be considered.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITES

Project Coordination

• Coordinates multiple concurrent projects, ensuring alignment on scope, timelines, and deliverables

• Develops and maintains project plans, workflows, and milestones across GFTC initiatives

• Tracks progress against deliverables and identifies potential risks or delays

• Follows up with team members and partners to ensure completion of agreed actions

Stakeholder Management

• Serves as a central point of coordination for project communication across internal teams and external partners

• Facilitates meetings, documents key decisions, and ensures appropriate follow-up on action items

• Supports alignment across stakeholders and escalates issues or delays to GFTC leadership as needed

Process & Systems

• Maintains organized project documentation, timelines, and records of decisions and outputs

• Supports implementation of project management tools and processes to improve coordination and efficiency

• Brings structure and clarity to projects with evolving scope and priorities

• Monitors projects for risks related to scope, timelines, and resources

• Raises potential issues early and supports resolution in coordination with GFTC leadership

• Provides regular updates on project status, including progress, risks, and upcoming milestones

TRAVEL REQUIRED & WORK CONDITIONS

• Travel: ~20–30% (domestic and international, depending on project needs)

• Ability to work across time zones and with global stakeholders

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• 3+ years of experience or demonstrated competency in project or program coordination or management

• Experience working on multi-stakeholder or cross-functional projects

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously

• Experience working in dynamic or evolving environments

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience supporting projects involving digital tools, data systems, or technology implementation

• Familiarity with supply chains, food systems, or sustainability-related work

OTHER DUTIES

This position, and all others at IFT, may be modified at any time. To ensure operational efficiency and meet the changing needs of our customers and our Business, other duties may be assigned as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle, and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.

POSITION TERM & FUNDING

This position is supported by external grant funding currently secured through April 2029. As such, the role is structured as a term-limited position. Continuation beyond this period is contingent on future funding. GFTC has a strong track record of securing funding and growing its portfolio of work, and this role is expected to play an important part in that continued growth.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary Range: $70,000 to 75,000 Per Year (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Benefits: IFT offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to reward and energize our employees, so they can live a balanced life and maintain their well-being. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans at affordable rates. Life and Long Term Disability insurance is completely free to all employees. Most benefits begin the first of the month following employee’s start date. To learn more about IFT and our excellent benefits, please visit our careers page here: https://www.ift.org/about-ift/work-at-ift

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