Director of Commercialization

Ascend Wellness Holdings•Boston, MA

23h•$130,000 - $150,000•Remote

About The Position

The Director of Commercialization is responsible for leading the development and launch of new products with AWH's external partners in accordance with procedures set forth by AWH. This role will be responsible for developing new formulations and dosage forms, line extensions, new packaging configurations, and product collaborations with outside partners. This role will provide overall project leadership, creating product concepts and standards, driving development activities, facilitating introduction into Operations, and keeping management updated on overall progress of key developments activities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
5+ years of experience in partnership management, new business management, or related roles, with at least 5-10 years of demonstrated leadership skills including team management, mentorship, and coaching.
Minimum 4 years' experience within Cannabis industry in Manufacturing and/or Sales and Marketing preferred.
Strong knowledge of the legal cannabis industry, including its regulatory landscape, market trends, and consumer preferences.
Proven track record of successfully managing and growing brand partnerships, ideally within cannabis, alcohol, beverage, CPG, or other related industries.
Demonstrated success in developing and launching innovative products from concept to commercialization.
Comprehensive knowledge of cannabis, including dosage forms, strain categories, knowledge of therapeutic effects of cannabinoids, and types of medicinal administration.
Strong understanding of commercial strategy, negotiation tactics, and financial management principles.
Demonstrated experience in effectively managing Profit and Loss statements, including analyzing revenue streams, identifying cost drivers, and implementing strategies to improve profitability.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external partners.
Strong analytical mindset and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret performance data and make data-driven decisions.
Strategic thinker who can align brand partnership strategies with broader business goals.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders across various departments.
A passion for the cannabis industry and a commitment to driving product excellence and consumer satisfaction.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Comfortable with 25%-50-% travel to AWH's facilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Monday.com and MS-Office with emphasis on Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
State regulations require qualified candidates for this position to be at least 21 years of age and able to pass a fingerprinting background check and drug screening - certain criminal convictions may disqualify candidates based on state marijuana/cannabis licensing regulations.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Minimum 4 years' experience within Cannabis industry in Manufacturing and/or Sales and Marketing preferred.
Proven track record of successfully managing and growing brand partnerships, ideally within cannabis, alcohol, beverage, CPG, or other related industries.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a comprehensive commercialization strategy for brand partnerships, aligning with AWH and partner brands priorities and goals.
Responsible for the upkeep and management of all aspects of brand partner relationships, including contract negotiation, investment & commercial discussion, new partner onboarding, performance tracking, financial metrics including P&L, and ongoing communication.
Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, marketing, product, and finance teams to ensure seamless execution of brand partnership initiatives.
Oversee project management for brand partnership commercial campaigns and product launches, ensuring coordination with partners, timely delivery, and quality execution.
Analyze performance metrics and market trends to make informed decisions and recommendations to optimize brand partnership strategies.
Build and maintain strong relationships with brand partners, acting as the main point of contact between them and AWH and ensuring all commercial activities are professionally managed.
Provide regular performance reports and updates to senior management, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and opportunities.
Stay updated on industry trends and competitive landscape to identify potential areas for growth and innovation within brand partnerships.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of brand partner management processes.
Lead the development of long-term brand partner roadmaps, aligning their goals with our company's strategic objectives.
Work with AWH's project management and cross-functional teams to ensure correct prioritization and execution of all related projects.
Portfolio management: support brand partners on the management of the innovation pipeline and go-to-market activities.
Budget management: Oversee and manage brand partner budgets and P&L.
Suggest new product concepts within the product development process.
Create and maintain product development project plans.
Ensure key development activities are planned, resourced, and executed by operations staff.
Ensure execution of R&D stability and shipping studies prior to launch.
Track decisions, agreements, and action items related to product developments.
Identify packaging configurations for evaluation by the broader team and provide details necessary for Supply Chain to source.
Create product quality standards and BOM for new products.
Work with Finance and Operations to estimate cost of goods and margin prior to launch.
Work with Operations to optimize manufacturability of new products.
Lead the transfer new products between sites in the Ascend network.
Maintain Product Launch Schedule.
Run monthly Product Development reviews with key stakeholders.
Create weekly update reports for leadership.
Identify packaging prototypes and facilitate selection of final packaging configuration.
Work directly with outside partners to launch licensed branded products.
Act as primary point of contact with outside partners to resolve technical issues.
Perform initial gap analysis for new product licensing opportunities.
Assist in vetting new technologies being considered for licensing.
Create work instructions, SOPs, and policies related to Product Development.
Strictly follow all company policies and internal SOPs.
Other duties as assigned.