Commercialization Project Manager - South Chicago Packing

MINIAT HOLDINGS LLC • Chicago, IL

24d

About The Position

The Commercialization Project Manager is responsible for leading cross-functional execution of product and process commercialization initiatives, ensuring a disciplined transition from development to full-scale manufacturing and market launch. This role owns timelines, deliverables, and readiness across R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and Commercial teams to deliver launches that are on time, on cost, and operationally sound. The Commercialization Project Manager serves as the single point of accountability for launch execution, managing risk, alignment, and communication throughout the commercialization lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Food Science, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field. PMP or other project management certification a plus
• 5+ years of experience in project management, commercialization, operations, or manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record managing cross-functional innovation or new product development (NPD) projects from concept through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, scale-up, and operational constraints.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong working knowledge of office productivity software, collaborative project management tools (Teams, Sharepoint, etc)

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commercialization projects from late-stage development through first production and post-launch stabilization.
• Develop and maintain detailed commercialization project plans, timelines, and milestone tracking.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure manufacturing, supply chain, quality, regulatory, and commercial readiness.
• Identify risks, gaps, and dependencies early; drive mitigation plans and escalate issues as needed.
• Facilitate regular project meetings, status updates, and launch readiness reviews.
• Support post-launch performance monitoring, issue resolution, and stabilization activities.
• Drive continuous improvement by capturing commercialization learnings and best practices.
• Serve as the primary liaison between cross functional teams (Marketing, Operations, Quality, Procurement, Finance) to ensure project alignment and successful execution on time and on budget.
• Supports strong Master Data Management - maintaining integrity through setup and change management processes for formulas, specifications, ingredients, process instructions, product detail, and technical data sheets.
• Ensure alignment on scope, assumptions, responsibilities, and deliverables across all functions.
• Drive decision-making by preparing clear options, impacts, and trade-offs for stakeholders.
• Ensure smooth handoff from R&D to Operations with clear ownership and documentation.
• Coordinate sending samples to customers and potential customers, ensuring a great first impression of our products.
• Coordinate line trials, scale-up activities, and first production runs in partnership with R&D and Operations.
• Ensure production processes, work instructions, and training plans are completed and approved prior to launch.
• Confirm equipment readiness, capacity availability, and material supply for commercialization.
• Support issue resolution during trials and initial production, ensuring lessons learned are captured.
• Create and ensure completeness of GS1 data standards, included but not limited to product specifications, item codes, UPC and barcode creation and compliance, and raw material to WIP stage through finished good labels
• Ensure all required documentation is completed, reviewed, and approved prior to launch, including: 1. Specifications and formulas 2. Work instructions and SOPs 3. Quality plans and validation requirements 4. Regulatory and labeling approvals (as applicable)
• Partner with Quality and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance throughout commercialization.
• Support internal and external audits related to new product launches.

Benefits

• Medical
• vision
• dental
• discretionary bonus up to 15% (50% personal performance based & 50% company performance)
• profit sharing (which feeds retirement) at a minimum of 3% annually
• 120 hours PTO in the 1st 12 months

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level