Sr. Manager Commercial Execution

Saputo • Milwaukee, WI

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Commercialization leads the day-to-day execution of all fluid and cultured commercialization projects. This includes ensuring product launches, customer initiatives, product and packaging changes, transitions, and discontinuations are planned and delivered with clear ownership, realistic timelines, disciplined governance, and strong cross-functional alignment. The role translates business priorities into executable plans and provides leadership from project intake from item setup through first shipment. As a key member of the Commercial Execution team, this role partners closely with Sales, Commercial Strategy, Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, Procurement, Quality, Customer Service, Master Data, and Packaging teams. The Senior Manager leads and develops project management professionals while strengthening standardized processes, visibility, accountability, and continuous improvement across the commercialization lifecycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, Finance, Project Management, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in commercialization, project management, commercial operations, supply chain, product launches, or a related function in consumer packaged goods, food, or manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success leading product launches, customer implementations, packaging or item changes, and portfolio transitions with multiple dependencies.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end commercialization, including feasibility, stage-gate governance, item setup, master data, packaging, production readiness, and launch execution.
• Proven ability to manage a high-volume portfolio, prioritize competing needs, resolve issues, and influence without direct authority.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, facilitation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience with project management, collaboration, and reporting tools such as SAP, Wrike, Power BI, SharePoint, or similar platforms.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Customer-Centricity: Focuses on delivering value to customers and stakeholders.
• Results-Driven: Maintains a focus on measurable outcomes and business impact.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the commercialization portfolio for new fluid and cultured products including private label and branded launches, product and packaging changes, customer conversions, transitions, and discontinuations.
• Translate approved business priorities into executable project plans with clear scope, milestones, owners, dependencies, risks, and timing.
• Develop initial timelines and lead cross-functional kickoff, status, readiness, and escalation discussions, ensuring decisions and commitments are documented and completed.
• Own project timelines and maintain accurate status, priorities, risks, decisions, and actions in approved commercialization systems.
• Coordinate end-to-end execution across item setup, specifications, formulas, packaging artwork, material codes, plant readiness, production planning, sales orders, and first shipment.
• Align customer commitments with operational feasibility, inventory, packaging lead times, supply constraints, cost, and service considerations.
• Identify risks early, establish recovery plans, and escalate decisions or resource constraints with clear business impact and recommendations.
• Apply stage-gate and feasibility requirements at the appropriate level of rigor and confirm launch prerequisites are complete before work advances.
• Provide concise, decision-oriented portfolio reporting on launches, at-risk initiatives, key decisions, and support required.
• Translate lessons learned into practical process, system, and governance improvements.
• Develop and coach commercialization professionals while strengthening accountability, collaboration, standard work, and effective use of project management tools.

Benefits

• Development opportunities that enhance you career fulfillment.
• Meaningful compensation & benefits that help you care for your family.
• Opportunities to contribute to your community and enhance the lives of others through Saputo products.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager