Commercialization Specialist

Aspen Enterprises LTD•Gonzales, TX

5d•$67,000 - $77,000

About The Position

The Commercialization Specialist manages internal and customer commercialization projects, with key ownership of plant trials, product scale-up, and launch activities across assigned plants. The role maintains an integrated view of active projects and contributes to customer account teams, including customer-facing communication. It monitors timelines, aligns cross-functional teams around critical-path deliverables, and proactively addresses risks or gaps. The Specialist organizes plant-trial planning, execution, documentation, and customer approval processes to help new products move smoothly from development into full production. The role guides commercialization of new products and packaging, coordinates day-to-day project execution, facilitates communication across functional teams, maintains project documentation and pipeline status, and supports process improvement. It also coordinates plant trials or pilot runs, supports sales teams with customer updates, submits commercial reports, and manages expenses and travel budgets. The position works in a dynamic manufacturing environment and supports Finlays’ quality and food safety requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Food Science, Operations, or a related field.
2–4 years of experience in commercialization, product development, manufacturing operations, or related fields.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration platforms, including Teams and SharePoint.
Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to work beyond regularly scheduled hours during peak periods or critical operations.
Adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform physical tasks including pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and detailed hand tasks.
Ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds frequently; heavier items must be handled with appropriate lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques.
Ability to use hand and power tools and material-handling and cleaning equipment, including pallet jacks, scales, and ladders.
Ability to work in the described manufacturing environment and wear required personal protective equipment.

Responsibilities

Guide commercialization efforts for new products and packaging, ensuring launch readiness.
Manage day-to-day execution of assigned commercialization projects in line with timelines, deliverables, and customer expectations.
Facilitate cross-functional communication across R&D, Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, and Technical Services.
Organize project documents, checklists, timelines, and shared folders in approved platforms.
Lead meetings and working sessions for product development and commercialization activities.
Follow commercialization best practices and support improvements to internal processes.
Track commercialization pipeline status and flag risks or delays.
Coordinate and support plant trials or pilot runs at manufacturing facilities.
Partner with sales teams on customer communication and project updates.
Complete and submit commercial reports on time.
Champion Finlays’ purpose and values, develop team capabilities and processes, and partner across the organization on dependent projects.
Manage expenses and travel budget.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Follow applicable Good Manufacturing Practices, allergen control, food defense, HACCP, SQF, regulatory, quality, and health and safety requirements.
Report food safety and quality issues to management and collaborate on quality and food safety matters.
Document visitors, contractors, and customers entering and leaving the facility.
Handle customer complaints in a timely and professional manner and participate in continuous improvement programs.