Director, Commercialization

Kinder's•Walnut Creek, CA

1d•$180,000 - $190,000

About The Position

The Director of Commercialization plays a pivotal role in bridging innovation and execution and turning product concepts into successful in-market launches. You will lead a high-performing team of project managers and cross-functional partners to ensure every new product or renovation moves seamlessly from development through production and into retail execution. This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, balancing long-term process improvements with day-to-day delivery. You’ll drive alignment, mitigate risks, and uphold Kinder’s standards for quality, cost, and speed, ensuring each launch reflects our relentless pursuit of flavor and excellence.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in commercialization, operations, or project management within CPG or food manufacturing.
Demonstrated success leading complex product launches from concept through retail execution.
Strong understanding of manufacturing, packaging, and supply chain processes.
Proven ability to manage multiple, fast-moving projects in a high-growth environment.
Proficiency in project management tools; Wrike experience preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Food Science, Engineering, or related field
Passionate about food, flavor, and operational excellence.
Strategic yet hands-on—able to balance big-picture thinking with flawless execution.
Collaborative and influential leader who builds trust across teams and partners.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven.
Thrives in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.

Nice To Haves

MBA a plus

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end commercialization process, ensuring successful product delivery from pilot to first production and distribution.
Align cross-functional teams on feasibility, scope, and timing for all product launches and renovations.
Oversee project plans in Wrike, clearly defining milestones, dependencies, and critical paths.
Partner with Product Development and Supply Chain to validate formulations, packaging, and manufacturing capabilities before launch.
Anticipate and mitigate risks—technical, operational, financial, or regulatory—and communicate proactive solutions to leadership.
Provide consistent visibility to stakeholders through dashboards, reports, and readiness trackers.
Lead, coach, and inspire a team of Project Managers and Commercialization Specialists to achieve executional excellence.
Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and collaboration.
Balance team capacity with Kinder’s innovation pipeline to optimize workload and efficiency.
Partner with the Head of Project Management to evolve workflows, playbooks, and digital tools that support scalable success.
Serve as the central connection point between Product Development, Brand, Sourcing, Operations, Planning, Quality, and Sales.
Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to confirm plant readiness, raw material availability, and co-manufacturer timelines.
Deliver clear, proactive communication to executive leadership on launch status, risks, and mitigation strategies.
Evaluate and refine Kinder’s commercialization process to enhance visibility, speed, and cross-category scalability.
Support digital transformation by maximizing Wrike and other tools for real-time collaboration and tracking.
Partner with Finance and Operations to develop KPIs for commercialization success—focusing on cost, margin, and delivery performance.