Project Manager

Overview

Coborn's is looking for an experienced Project Manager who enjoys bringing people together, creating clarity from complexity, and turning strategic ideas into results. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll lead complex, cross-functional projects that impact our stores, employees, guests, technology, and overall business.

From technology implementations and operational improvements to store initiatives and enterprise-wide transformation, you’ll have the opportunity to lead projects that make a visible difference across Coborn’s.

What You’ll Do

As our Project Manager, you’ll take ownership of projects from planning through implementation while building strong partnerships across the organization. You will:

• Lead high-impact, cross-functional projects across Store Operations, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Information Technology, Human Resources, Finance, and other areas of the business.
• Drive business transformation through operational improvements, technology implementations, store initiatives, and enterprise-wide projects.
• Partner with leaders and stakeholders to define project scope, objectives, success measures, timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain structured project plans while keeping teams aligned, accountable, and focused on results.
• Coordinate internal teams, external partners, and vendors to ensure projects move forward successfully.
• Track project milestones, KPIs, budgets, risks, and resources, proactively adjusting plans when challenges arise.
• Provide clear and compelling project updates to executive leadership and steering committees, including progress, risks, wins, and business impact.
• Lead change management and implementation efforts, helping employees and store teams successfully adopt new systems and processes.
• Serve as a connector between frontline teams and support functions, turning operational needs into scalable solutions that improve the employee and guest experience.
• Help strengthen our growing Project Management Office (PMO) by contributing to project management standards, best practices, templates, and processes.

Why You’ll Love This Role

This isn't a role where you'll simply manage timelines and check boxes. You'll have the opportunity to influence how projects are delivered and how change happens across the organization.

As an employee owner, you’ll be encouraged to think beyond your individual responsibilities and consider what creates the greatest long-term value for our company, employees, and guests.

You’ll also have the opportunity to:

• Lead projects with organization-wide visibility and impact
• Work alongside leaders and teams across a variety of business functions
• Gain exposure to senior and executive leadership
• Help shape and strengthen an evolving PMO
• Solve complex business challenges in a fast-paced retail environment
• See the direct impact of your work in our stores and across the organization
• Build your knowledge of the grocery retail business while continuing to grow as a project leader

What's In It For Me?

Our remarkable employees are at the heart of everything we do. At Coborn’s, we’re committed to creating a supportive and rewarding workplace—one that offers a vibrant, team-oriented environment, ongoing career growth, and meaningful benefits. As an employee-owned company, we believe in investing in our people and their futures.

Please find a list of many of our exciting benefits below:

• Medical & Dental insurance with Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) – yes, we’re employee-owned! Our team members benefit from the success of the company through this company-sponsored benefit!
• 401(k) plan options – we also match up to 20% of the first 5% contributed
• Competitive Paid Time Off (PTO/Vacation)
• 10% employee discount on grocery items, with additional franchise-specific discounts available at company-owned Ace Hardware, Caribou Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, and Pet Supplies Plus locations.
• Additional Voluntary Benefits – such as vision, accident and critical illness insurances
• Adoption Reimbursement, Paid Family Caregiver Leave, as well as company-sponsored Term Life Insurance,
• Get Paid Daily with DailyPay – for employees who would like access to their pay before payday, we offer this great benefit!
• Paid Military Leave
• Employee recognition programs with monetary rewards, including in-store vouchers, years of service, and employee of the month
• Employee Health & Wellness Programs, Challenges and Resources – to assist our team members in living a life of wellbeing!
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – unlimited phone access to legal, financial, and work-life services and up to five free in-person counseling sessions, per situation/issue, per year
• Access to a national discount marketplace for travel, electronics, auto/home insurance, entertainment and more!
• Tools, resources and opportunities for career growth and development
• Education benefits including tuition discount and scholarship programs

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

We’re looking for a collaborative, organized, and solutions-focused project leader who can confidently move between strategy and execution.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Retail Management, Project Management, or a related field
• Master’s degree is a plus
• 5+ years of experience managing large, cross-functional projects, ideally within retail or another multi-unit business environment
• Experience leading multiple projects while balancing priorities, timelines, and resources

Skills & Experience

• Strong project planning, organization, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, execution-focused environment
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong understanding of change management principles
• Experience partnering with stakeholders at multiple levels of an organization
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and develop practical solutions
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing project budgets
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook, Microsoft Project, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools

Certifications & Additional Requirements

• PMP certification and/or experience with other project management or process improvement methodologies preferred
• Current driver’s license and valid insurance with the ability to travel to business locations as needed
• Ability to travel locally and regionally, up to approximately 10%

We believe that building a team of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives inspires fresh thinking and opens us up to new possibilities. We are an EEO/AA employer- all qualified individuals, including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Pay Range

USD $82,000.00 - USD $130,000.00 /Yr. Company Introduction

Are you friendly, dependable, and passionate about working with people? At Coborn’s, Inc., we love serving our guests, supporting our communities, and helping our team members grow their careers. If you’re looking for a place where you can build a future while making a positive impact every day, we’d love to talk to you about joining our team!

Coborn's, Inc. is a fast-growing, employee-owned grocery retailer proudly serving communities across the Midwest. Our family of grocery stores includes Coborn's, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods, Hornbacher's, Tadych’s Marketplace Foods, Sullivan’s Foods, and Kessler’s. We offer our guests an elevated shopping experience—both in-store and online—focused on freshness, value, and convenience. Guided by our company vision to inspire happiness, healthy living, and simplicity, this principle has fueled our growth for more than 100 years and is at the heart of everything we do.

Coborn’s, Inc. also owns and operates liquor stores under the Coborn’s Liquor, Cash Wise Liquor, Andy’s Liquor, and Captain Jack’s brands. In addition, we operate fuel kiosks and convenience store locations under the Little Dukes and Coborn’s Express names. Many of our grocery stores also feature full-service pharmacies to support the health and wellness of our guests. We manage a variety of other retail businesses in markets where the fit is right, including Ace Hardware, Country Floral Gifts & Greenhouse, Caribou Coffee, Dunn Brothers Coffee, Erbert and Gerbert’s, Godfather’s Pizza, and Pet Supplies Plus. To support our diverse retail operations, we operate our own central bakery, fresh foods commissary, and grocery warehouse and distribution center.