Senior Manager, Commercialization – Continuous Improvement

Kraft Heinz•Chicago, IL

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Commercialization – Continuous Improvement leads cross-functional commercialization process excellence, digital enablement, analytics, reporting, training, and change adoption. The role drives improvements to commercialization PMO processes and Stage-Gate governance, establishes performance measures, and tracks the sustained impact of implemented solutions. The position owns the commercialization and PMO digital enablement and automation roadmap, including hands-on development and ongoing enhancement of solutions using Microsoft Power Platform. It is accountable for PMO platforms and workflows, data quality, user support, executive dashboards, and evaluating emerging technologies such as AI and Microsoft Copilot. The role serves as the primary commercialization liaison to Digital and IT teams to ensure solutions align with enterprise requirements. The role owns PMO reporting and analytics, provides reliable portfolio performance information for business reviews and decision-making, and translates findings into recommendations. It also develops training and adoption plans and influences stakeholders across Commercialization, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and Digital to implement sustainable improvements without direct authority. The position is based at Kraft Heinz Headquarters in the Aon Center in downtown Chicago and operates primarily in a hybrid environment. Employees may work virtually up to two days per week and are expected to work onsite at least three days per week. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, information systems, analytics, operations, engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, commercialization, project management, process excellence, or digital transformation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, including synthesizing complex information, developing actionable recommendations, and communicating effectively with senior leadership.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and drive organizational change without direct authority.
Ability to independently manage multiple complex initiatives, balance competing priorities, and deliver sustainable improvements in a dynamic business environment.
Hands-on experience with digital tools, workflow automation, and data analytics to simplify processes, improve reporting, and enable data-driven decisions.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
Experience with business intelligence, automation, or project management platforms such as Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, Smartsheet, Planview, or MS Project.
Ability to design processes for AI readiness and automation.
Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Experience in CPG, food and beverage, or adjacent consumer industries.
Experience with Stage-Gate processes, commercialization workflows, or PMO governance.
Lean Six Sigma, PMP, Agile, or Microsoft Power Platform certification.

Responsibilities

Identify, prioritize, redesign, and implement cross-functional commercialization process improvements to simplify workflows, eliminate non-value-added activities, and improve execution.
Drive the continuous improvement roadmap for commercialization PMO processes in partnership with functional stakeholders.
Maintain and improve Stage-Gate governance documentation, process standards, templates, and playbooks.
Establish baseline performance measures, quantify improvement opportunities, and track the sustained impact of solutions.
Lead the commercialization and PMO digital enablement and automation roadmap, including priorities, sequencing, and success measures.
Own the design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing enhancement of digital automation solutions using Microsoft Power Platform, including hands-on configuration and development.
Own PMO platforms and associated workflows, including data quality and user support for Smartsheet, Planview, and MS Project.
Develop and maintain executive dashboards with real-time portfolio visibility.
Lead evaluation, piloting, and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI and Microsoft Copilot, to improve commercialization processes and team effectiveness.
Represent commercialization as the primary liaison to Digital and IT, ensuring solutions align with enterprise architecture, security requirements, integration standards, and support models.
Own PMO reporting and analytics end to end, including reporting standards, data sources, and cadence.
Analyze portfolio and process performance to identify risks, inefficiencies, trends, and improvement opportunities, and make recommendations to PMO and functional leadership.
Prepare and deliver portfolio reporting for weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews.
Design and deliver training materials, including decks, playbooks, and job aids, for new tools, processes, and governance frameworks.
Develop adoption strategies and plans, including communication and feedback loops.
Influence and align stakeholders across Commercialization, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and Digital to implement sustainable improvements without direct authority.
Establish feedback mechanisms and adoption measures to assess effectiveness, address barriers, and reinforce continuous improvement.