
Sr. Commercialization Manager
Shearer’s
- Massillon, OH
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Lead Life Cycle Management (LCM) / Stage Gate process for all assigned projects
- Commercialize business opportunities through a well-executed and timely Stage Gate and product launch process to meet revenue and profit targets while providing best-in-class service to our customers
- Manage priorities to realize Shearer's Operating Plan Commitment (OPC) and support the execution of Shearer's sales strategy
- Lead cross-functional project teams including Sales, Finance, Research & Development (R&D), Quality, Technical Processing and Packaging, Procurement, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supply Chain to drive projects forward in a collaborative environment
- Communicate project status to stakeholders and team members regularly, highlighting risks and ensuring mitigation plans and solutions are implemented
- Ensure 100% accurate part set ups by meeting internal (Shearer's Stakeholders) and external (Customer & Supplier) partner specifications and product requirements
- Promote seamless project execution and handoffs by partnering with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Manufacturing to ensure case fill rate (CFR) goals are achieved
- Facilitate communication between Shearer's, customers, and external supplier partners as needed for project execution
- Partner with Quality and Regulatory to ensure compliance with customer product and packaging standards
- Engage with R&D and Technical Teams as the voice of customer to protect the integrity of the product and packaging; assist in scale up of products from prototype to full production
- Work with customers and external suppliers to solve challenges, overcome barriers, responsibly use resources, and contribute to Shearer's commitment to continuous improvement
- Support plant trials, as required ensuring both Shearer's and customer's product, process, and cost goals are met
- Understand the importance of intellectual property (IP), design, and prototyping
- Demonstrate strong working knowledge of industry, products, packaging, production lines, and the processes necessary to commercialize products across Shearer's manufacturing network
- Manage and approve active product changes
- Coordinate product end of life obsolescence by monitoring in market performance including developing raw material liquidation plans
- Partner with Finance and Operations to identify and execute product and process standardization opportunities including SKU rationalization
- People leader: Develop the technical, leadership and professional skills and behaviors within the Commercialization team through effective 1:1 coaching, hiring and performance reviews.
- Partner with Business Managers, R&D, and Category Management to develop new business opportunities and customer assortment recommendations to realize Shearer's revenue and EBITDA objectives
- Vet ideas and opportunities through the Stage Gate process; analyze and evaluate interdependencies with other active projects and Shearer's current products and capabilities
- Serve as project lead to ensure cross-functional team members understand and work toward accomplishing the business vision, goals and objectives of the customer's business plan
- Provide technical sales support to Business Managers
- Ability to lead, coach and develop direct reports
- Manage creation of pricing models and quotes by coordinating inputs from cross functional teams and suppliers
- Attend customer meetings with Business Manager to present innovation recommendations and project updates
- Enhance relationships with customer counterparts to solidify Shearer's relationship with key customers
- Develop a broad and detailed knowledge of customer's businesses to provide relevant insights which drive growth for the customer and Shearer's
- Drive strategic initiatives including Stage Gate and LCM process improvements
- Bachelor's Degree in a related field or equivalent in experience.
- 5+ years of experience in consumer goods branded marketing and/or innovation platforms with food industry a plus
- Role Model Company values of Respect, Teamwork, and Giving Back
- Highly Developed Product and Project Management Skills
- Cross Functional Leadership
- Effectively collaborates and influences people at all levels in the organization through strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to drive for results through effective leadership and coaching skills
- Strong Verbal and Written Communication
- Technical Selling
- Stage Gate / Innovation processes
- Customer Business Planning
- Quick sifting abilities (focuses project team and stakeholders on the top priorities - can focus on high level and detail level, knowing which is appropriate)
- Highly developed facilitation skills
- Highly organized with strong time management skills
- Developed change management skills and proven ability to challenge the status quo
- Ability to self-direct and manage ambiguity
- Ability to negotiate and resolve conflict
- Problem Solving/Critical Thinking
- Adaptability and personal growth