Commercialization Manager
4 days ago
Bethlehem
Role Summary We are a fast-growing, hands-on food manufacturer (dumplings, bao buns, potstickers, and related frozen products) seeking a single leader to own end-to-end product commercialization and internal project management. You will drive new items from concept to shelf (SKU setup in Sage X3, packaging/labels, cross-functional readiness) while also leading critical internal initiatives (equipment installs, line moves, capacity upgrades, and plant projects). This is a high-visibility, doer–builder role for someone who can move comfortably between the office, the shop floor, and customer meetings. CCI Prime is a leading manufacturer and importer of Asian-style food products selling primarily under the Prime Foods and Chan & Chan brands. For over 30 years, Prime Foods has been providing Asian foods to U.S. consumers. Customers praise the brand for its authentic Cantonese flavors and premium quality. The company’s dedication to innovation and authenticity has garnered a loyal customer following across the country. What You’ll Own A) Commercialization (New Items & Customer Launches) • Lead Stage-Gate from concept → pilot → pre-prod → launch → post‑launch review., • Build and manage launch plans with timelines, owners, and risk/issue logs; drive weekly cross‑functional standups., • Create/maintain SKU master data in Sage X3: item setup (BOM/BOMP structure), WIP and finished good part numbers, routings, pack sizes, case dims, pallet patterns, allergens, shelf life, storage, and handling. Ensure BOM vs. BOMP consistency and phantom BOM transfers are correct., • Coordinate specs & QA/Regulatory: ingredient statements, nutrition facts, label claims, allergens, COAs, HACCP/USDA (FSIS) or FDA as applicable; ensure artwork label copy matches final spec., • Packaging development: dielines, materials (film, trays, cartons), coding/traceability, sustainability requirements; manage vendors and proofs., • Costing & pricing readiness: COGS build‑up, MOQ/EOQ, yields, labor/throughput assumptions, trade/EDLP promo calendars, and customer margin structures., • Channel readiness: EDI/catalog updates, planogram/SKU forms, new vendor/item forms (Costco/club, grocery, e‑commerce), and sell‑in content., • Operational readiness: trial builds, scale‑up plan, capacity checks, changeover plan, labor training, and first‑production sign‑off., • Run projects end-to-end: FEL/charter → scope/WBS → schedule (Gantt) → budget → procurement → FAT/SAT → commissioning → handover., • Typical projects: new dumpling formers, steam tunnels/spiral steam ovens, spiral freezers (mechanical/cryogenic), packaging systems, utilities tie-ins, line relocations, racking/warehouse changes, IT/ERP upgrades., • Lead vendors and contractors; manage RFQs, bids, and SOWs; coordinate with Facilities/EHS on permits, safety plans, LOTO, and contractor onboarding., • Develop layouts and material flows with Ops/Engineering; validate mass balances, throughput, uptime/OEE, and staffing models., • Track capex vs. budget (committed/spent/ETC/EAC); maintain risk registers and mitigation plans; run weekly project reviews., • IQ/OQ/PQ, trial plans, and performance acceptance criteria; closeout with documentation, training, and spare parts lists. Success Looks Like (12 Months) • ≥95% OTIF for launch milestones; no material customer misses., • COGS variance ≤+2% vs. target at launch; packaging/label right first time., • Project schedule variance ≤10%; budget variance ≤5%., • New item master data error rate <1% (audit of ERP, labels, GS1, BOM/routings)., • Standardized templates live: commercialization checklist, launch playbook, capex project pack, risk/issue logs, RACI. Core Responsibilities (Detail) • Own a consolidated commercialization & projects roadmap (12–18 months) linked to sales pipeline and capacity plans., • Chair weekly Launch Council and Project Review meetings; publish clear decisions, blockers, and owner actions., • Maintain documentation: specs, BOMs, routings, trial reports, FAT/SAT records, change controls, and training SOPs., • Build simple, scalable tools (Smartsheet/MS Project/Excel) for schedule, status, RAID, and dashboards., • Partner with: R&D/Innovation, QA/Regulatory, Operations, Maintenance/Facilities, Supply Chain/Planning, Procurement, Finance, IT/ERP, Sales, and Marketing., • Train teams on the playbook; coach PM and commercialization discipline across the plant. Qualifications Required • 5–10+ years in Food/CPG with hands-on commercialization and project management experience., • Demonstrated success launching customer‑facing products and leading capex/installation projects on the plant floor., • Strong Sage X3 ERP master‑data experience: item masters, BOMs, routings, costing, phantom BOM transfers, and cycle‑count integration., • Working knowledge of USDA/FSIS labeling requirements, HACCP plans for dumplings and bao buns, allergens, and traceability., • Proficiency with project tools (MS Project or Smartsheet), advanced Excel, and basic CAD/layout literacy., • PMP and/or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt., • HACCP and/or PCQI certification., • Experience with cryogenic/mechanical freezing, spiral steam ovens, and high‑speed dumpling forming and packaging lines., • Onsite manufacturing environment with PPE; able to walk production floor and support off shift trials as needed; moderate travel to vendors/customers. Competencies • Planner–Executor Balance: Can build the plan and personally run the trial., • Bias to Clarity: Translates ambiguity into crisp timelines, RACI, and checklists., • Commercial Acumen: Connects plant realities to customer promises and margins., • Risk Management: Identifies critical path early; escalates with data and options., • Change Leadership: Coaches teams through new processes and equipment. KPIs & Reporting Cadence • Launch OTIF (milestone hit rate), • First‑pass quality at launch (% lots passing spec), • COGS vs. target at launch and at 90 days, • Master‑data accuracy (audit score), • Project schedule & budget variance, • Post‑launch incident rate (complaints/returns per 10k cases) Compensation & Benefits (Guidance) • Competitive salary with bonus tied to launch OTIF and project delivery metrics., • Standard benefits; relocation assistance considered for exceptional candidates., • Estimated Range: $95,000 – $125,000 base salary, plus performance bonus. (Dependent on experience and scope.) How to Apply Please send your resume and a short note describing 1–2 launches you led (with outcomes) and one plant/equipment project you delivered (with budget/schedule results). This description is intended to outline the primary duties and success criteria; responsibilities may evolve with business needs.