Commercialization Manager, Appetizers Marketing (12 month contract)

About the position

The Commercialization Manager (12 month contract) is a crucial member of the North American Appetizer team and is responsible for leading the: planning, execution, and delivery of new and enhanced products, pack modifications, & commercialization projects. All of this is critical to driving business growth and achieving our strategic objectives. This role will focus on key core (non-disruptive) innovation workstreams within the business unit and work closely with the Sales, Go to Market Channel Leads, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain teams with a focus on Foodservice. The successful candidate will be able to balance speed of delivery while maintaining executional excellence to ensure the team has clear priorities and is focused, inspired, and on track to meet objectives of the channel.

Responsibilities

• Understand and document the commercialization project strategy to obtain a thorough understanding of the business outcomes.
• Support and lead commercialization across the Foodservice Appetizers business.
• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, timeline, budget, and resource allocation.
• Define project objectives, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs) in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Conduct risk assessments and define mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Ensure all projects align with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Motivate the broader team around key project goals, timing, etc.
• Lead the project team in executing project plans, ensuring adherence to the project scope, timeline, and budget.
• Monitor project progress, identifying potential risks, and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure project resources are effectively utilized.
• Manage day-to-day project activities, including task assignments, status tracking, and problem resolution.
• Manage all packaging changes and indirectly lead other teams including Packaging Engineering, R&D, Marketing to execute the changes.
• Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing regular updates on project progress, challenges, and risks.
• Sell and report on key workstreams internally across the organization.
• Prepare and present status reports to management, highlighting key achievements, issues, and any adjustments to the project plan.
• Foster strong working relationships with internal teams, clients, and external partners to ensure project alignment.
• Lead efforts to troubleshoot issues and manage any changes to project scope or timelines, ensuring all impacts are properly communicated.
• Escalate critical issues to management as needed and propose solutions to resolve them.
• Conduct post-project evaluations to assess performance against objectives, including lessons learned and process improvement recommendations.
• Ensure successful project handover to operational teams or clients, ensuring smooth transition and sustainability of outcomes.
• Discover ways to enhance efficiency and productivity of procedures and people.
• Manage final project documentation and closure activities, ensuring all deliverables are met and the project is officially concluded.

Requirements

• 8+ years of proven project management experience within complex business environments.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required with PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is considered an asset.
• Food and foodservice experience preferred.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and resources effectively.
• Experience delivering complex and multifunctional projects through leading and influencing cross-functional teams, managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Excellent organizational, leadership and communication skills.
• Strong prioritization skills to ensure resources are leveraged and applied to the most important business issues with the highest return.
• A successful career progression, with a history of increasing levels of responsibility.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, or Jira).
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong business acumen with strategic ability.
• Demonstrated experience in managing 'upward' among senior leadership and ensure accountability of team.
• Demonstrated experience in leading diverse teams, across multiple regions.

Benefits

• Health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug)
• Retirement savings benefits
• Leave support including medical, family and bereavement
• Wellbeing programs including vacation and holidays
• Company-supported volunteering time
• Mental health resources