PROJECT MANAGER

Summary 

Lifeway Foods (NASDAQ: LWAY), which has been recognized as one of Forbes’ Best Small Companies, is America’s leading supplier of the probiotic beverage known as Kefir. In addition to its line of drinkable Kefir, the company also produces cheese, drinkable yogurt, and a ProBugs line of Kefir for kids. Lifeway’s tart and tangy fermented dairy products are sold across the United States, Mexico, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. 

The Project Manager / ERP Administrator oversees the planning, execution, monitoring, and completion of projects. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines and budgets, mitigate risks, and ensure that project objectives alight with organizational goals. This role oversees ERP implementation, system enhancements, user training, and continuous improvement while also managing cross-functional business projects. The Project Manager serves as a key liaison between end-users, IT, and external vendors to ensure systems support business objectives efficiently and accurately. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities 

ERP Project Management 

• Plan, lead, and execute ERP-related projects, including new module rollouts, integrations, and enhancements
• Develop project scopes, timelines, deliverables, and resource plans
• Coordinate cross-functional participation with Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, HR, Quality, Sales, and other departments
• Track project status, manage risks, escalate issues, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget
• Conduct post-implementation reviews to ensure successful adoption and continuous improvement

ERP Administration & System Management 

• Serve as primary administrator for the ERP system, ensuring system reliability, data accuracy, and optimal performance
• Maintain user roles, security permissions, workflows, and configuration settings
• Lead system updates, testing, validation, and documentation of changes
• Troubleshoot system issues, coordinate vendor support, and drive timely resolution
• Develop, maintain, and update SOPs, training guides, and user documentation

Cross-Functional Project Management 

• Oversee additional operational or systems-related projects outside the ERP scope such as software integrations, digital tools, workflow automation,and compliance initiatives
• Facilitate meetings, document requirements, and manage communications with stakeholders
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement solutions that enhance workflow efficiency

Training & User Support 

• Develop and deliver training programs for new and existing users
• Serve as subject-matter expert (SME) for ERP functionality and best practices
• Provide tier-1 and tier-2 support by troubleshooting issues and guiding users through processes

Vendor & Stakeholder Management 

• Manage relationships with ERP vendors, consultants, and technical partners
• Evaluate and recommend enhancements, customizations, and third-party tools
• Support system integration with other platforms such as WMS, CRM, HRIS, and BI tools
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Physical & Work Environment Requirements 

• Hybrid or on-site depending on business needs
• Ability to travel occasionally to various locations for training, support, or project implementation

Qualification and Education Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field required
• 3–7 years of ERP system experience;Deacom, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics preferred
• 3+ years project management experience; PMP or similar certificationa plus
• Experience in manufacturing, food/beverage, or CPG environment highly desirable
• Skills & Competencies
  • Exceptional knowledge of end-to-end business processes: procurement, inventory, production, quality, finance, sales, and logistics
  • Excellent project management and organizational skills
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to document business requirements and translate them into system configurations
  • Clear communicator with the ability to train users at varying technical levels
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Lifeway Foods, Inc is a growing Chicago-based beverage manufacturer with over 25 years of experience. We are an industry leader in the production of high-quality Kefir. We are an equal-opportunity employer and offer a competitive benefits package. Visit us at www.lifewaykefir.com.