Commercialization Project Manager – Retail Business

Schwan's Company•St. Louis Park, MN

33d•$83,000 - $139,000

About The Position

Schwan’s Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle brand CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leader in manufacturing and marketing quality foods enjoyed nationwide. We have beloved brands like Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Villa Prima™ and Freschetta® pizzas; bibigo®, Pagoda® Asian-style snacks and we can’t forget Mrs. Smith’s® and Edwards® pies! We bring families and communities together through great food. Join our team and see the opportunities are real, and the sky is the limit; this isn’t just a job, it’s a seat at the table! We are seeking a Commercialization Project Manager to lead the successful execution of product initiatives from concept to marketplace. In this highly visible role, you will drive cross-functional projects across the entire product lifecycle, including new product launches, product renovations, cost savings initiatives, packaging updates, and product discontinuations. Partnering closely with teams across Marketing, Finance, Operations, R&D, and Demand Planning, you will ensure projects are delivered on time, align with business objectives, and meet consumer and customer needs. The ideal candidate is a strategic and highly organized project leader with exceptional attention to detail and a proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. You build strong relationships across functions, influence without authority, proactively solve problems, and are comfortable challenging the status quo to drive continuous improvement and business growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (or relevant work experience) and 5+ years of experience in project management, commercialization, marketing, sales, or a related discipline, ideally within the CPG industry
Experience leading cross-functional projects from concept through launch
Ability to influence stakeholders, build relationships, and drive accountability across teams
Familiarity with Stage-Gate processes and project management tools
Proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Responsibilities

Lead cross-functional projects from concept through commercialization, including new product launches, product renovations, packaging changes, and product discontinuations.
Develop and manage project plans, timelines, and key milestones while proactively identifying and mitigate risks.
Partners with teams across Marketing, Finance, Operations, R&D, and Demand Planning to ensure successful project execution and on-time delivery.
Drive accountability and alignment among stakeholders to achieve project objectives and business goals.
Serve as the portfolio's project management expert, championing standardized processes, tool effectiveness, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance team performance and execution.
Ensure portfolio data accuracy and visibility by conducting project audits, maintaining alignment across portfolio management system, and delivering reporting and insights on portfolio health, pipeline performance, and resource capacity to support strategic decision-making.