Nathan Jones

About Nathan Jones

I’m a Strategic Project Manager in the CPG industry with 10 years of experience leading global innovation portfolios and cross-functional teams that bring new ideas from concept to shelf. I specialize in turning business strategy and consumer insight into actionable roadmaps, leading high-impact projects that drive growth, cost optimization, and organizational alignment. My work has spanned new product innovation, packaging transformation, and process governance across global markets. Passionate about building systems and teams that make innovation intentional and scalable, I focus on connecting strategy, execution, and people to accelerate performance and deliver sustainable results.Core competencies and skillsets include:• Strategic Leadership & Innovation• Innovation Portfolio Management• Strategic Planning & Roadmapping• StageGate & Portfolio Governance• Cross-Functional Team Leadership• Change Management & TransformationStakeholder Influence & Collaboration• Executive Communication & Alignment• Stakeholder Engagement & Mediation• Team Development & MentorshipOperational Excellence• Process Optimization & Workflow Design• Risk & Scenario Planning• Budget Management & P&L Ownership• Data-Driven Decision-Making• KPI Tracking & Business Performance AnalysisTools & Methodologies• Smartsheet | Microsoft Project | Miro | Jira• Agile & Hybrid Project Methodologies

Experience

1. Innovation Project Manager

   Tropicana Brands Group

   Oct 2023 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   Shape and govern Tropicana’s long-term innovation pipeline, translating business strategy and consumer insights into actionable roadmaps that connect R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations to deliver category growth.• Lead a portfolio of 15+ active innovation projects, including many of the company’s top initiatives, driving both near-term net revenue and long-term strategic expansion into functional and better-for-you beverage spaces.• Established the 2027+ Innovation Milestone Framework, aligning all sustaining and transforming innovation timelines across functions, improving StageGate compliance, visibility, and launch readiness enterprise-wide.• Spearheaded Tropicana’s juice optimization program, delivering $40M in annualized savings through scenario planning with R&D, Finance, and Supply Chain, directly engaging with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.• Led multiple flagship launches including Tropicana Lemonades (9-month concept-to-launch), Tropicana Packaging Downsizing (52oz to 46oz and 12oz to 11oz), and new functional hydration platform, balancing consumer insight, technical feasibility, and commercial readiness.• Directed Canada Front-of-Pack (FOP) regulatory compliance for all single-serve SKUs, coordinating Regulatory, Packaging, and Operations to meet bilingual labeling mandates by Jan 2026, avoiding supply disruption across Canada.• Implemented portfolio governance and stage-gate discipline, presenting to over 100 cross-functional stakeholders to drive alignment, informed decision-making, and process rigor across all innovation types.• Streamlined project workflows, reducing average cycle time by 26% and increasing on-time completions by 20%, while mentoring junior PMs to enhance cross-functional collaboration and project rigor.

Education

• Michigan State University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Packaging

  2013 — 2016

Skills

• Problem Solving
• Data Analysis
• Polymer Science
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Autocad
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Packaging
• Store Visualizer
• Microsoft Project
• Sketchup
• Cape
• Packaging Engineering
• Pallet Load Shipping Tests
• Inventory Consolidation
• Metal and Foil Science
• Packaging Process Technologies
• Artioscad
• Packaging Line Trialing
• Glass Science
• Database Administration
• Packaging Machinery
• Packaging Dynamics
• Compass Life Cycle Assessment Software
• Ista Testing
• Mechanical Properties of Packaging Materials
• Astm Testing
• Adobe Illustrator
• Packaging Development
• Material Selection
• Solidworks
• Project Management
• Outlook
• Hand Drafting
• Continuous Improvement
• Chemical Properties of Packaging Materials
• Paper Science
• Rigid and Flexible Packaging Materials
• Packagesmart Life Cycle Assessment Software