Senior Manager, Commercialization – Continuous Improvement
About The Position
The Senior Manager, Commercialization – Continuous Improvement leads cross-functional commercialization process improvements and the digital enablement, automation, analytics, reporting, training, and change adoption activities that support the commercialization PMO. The role establishes and advances a continuous improvement roadmap, maintains Stage-Gate governance materials, measures performance and improvement outcomes, and promotes consistent, efficient execution across the organization. The position owns the commercialization and PMO digital enablement roadmap and is accountable for building and enhancing practical automation solutions using Microsoft Power Platform. It also serves as business owner for PMO platforms and workflows, maintains executive dashboards and portfolio reporting, evaluates emerging technologies such as AI and Microsoft Copilot, and liaises with Digital and IT to ensure solutions meet enterprise requirements. The role is responsible for PMO reporting and analytics as a reliable source of portfolio performance information, including reporting standards, data sources, cadence, and business review materials. It analyzes performance to identify risks and improvement opportunities and translates findings into recommendations for leadership. The position develops training materials and adoption plans, aligns stakeholders across multiple functions, and establishes feedback and adoption measures. It is based at Kraft Heinz Headquarters in Chicago and operates primarily in a hybrid environment, with employees able to work virtually up to two days per week and expected to work onsite at least three days per week. Travel may be 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 using 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 certifications.
Responsibilities
- Lead the identification, prioritization, redesign, and implementation of cross-functional commercialization process improvements.
- 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 automation solutions using Microsoft Power Platform, including hands-on configuration and building.
- Serve as business owner and primary point of accountability for PMO platforms and 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, for commercialization process 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, as the single source of truth for commercialization portfolio performance.
- Design, build, and maintain executive dashboards that provide accurate, timely, and actionable business insights.
- Analyze portfolio and process performance to identify risks, inefficiencies, trends, and improvement opportunities, and recommend actions 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 tools, processes, and governance frameworks.
- Develop adoption strategies and plans that include 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 evaluate effectiveness, address barriers, and reinforce continuous improvement practices.
- Travel up to 10% of the time.
Benefits
- Performance-based bonus eligibility.
- Healthcare coverage for employees and eligible dependents, including medical and prescription drug plans.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Paid time off and company holidays.
- Leave of absence programs.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Recognition programs.
- Training and learning opportunities.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Wellbeing programs and family support programs.
- 401(k).
- Life insurance.
- Accidental death and dismemberment coverage.
- Disability coverage.
- Physical, social, emotional, and financial wellbeing events and resources.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
