Job Title

This position leads the end-to-end commercialization and innovation pipeline for new, reformulated, and seasonal products, ensuring timely, successful launches that align with business and brand strategies. As the central point of coordination, the role drives collaboration across Marketing, Sales, R&D, Operations, Procurement, and Financefrom ideation through to launch, performance tracking, and delisting. Responsibilities include managing complex plans using Stage Gate and I2M processes, building insight-driven innovation pipelines, and optimizing go-to-market strategies. The ideal candidate has a strong project management mindset, thrives in fast-paced environments, and continuously seeks ways to bring relevant, innovative products to market. Key Responsibilities Commercialization & Go-to-Market Lead cross-functional teams through the full commercialization cycle from concept to launch. Manage the lifecycle of new, reformulated, and seasonal productsfrom ideation to delisting. Ensure plans align with considerations like regulatory compliance, route to market, profitability, and operational capacity. Operationalize brand and business strategies by linking Sales, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Finance, and Procurement. Oversee scale-up from pilot to full production with R&D and Ops. Own launch execution, meeting regulatory and production standards. Coordinate finished goods setup and ensure information systems are ready for go-live. Stay informed on food labelling, GS1, packaging, and shipping standards. Lead seasonal commercialization, including calendar management, assortment planning, forecast collaboration, newsletter creation, and post-program reviews. Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Development Translate market trends, consumer insights, and competitive intelligence into actionable innovation. Develop a forward-thinking, insight-driven innovation pipeline aligned with category strategy. Identify whitespace opportunities and consumer pain points to build differentiated platforms. Build and maintain a robust pipeline supporting core and breakthrough innovation. New Product Development (NPD) Champion a consumer- and customer-first approach to all innovation. Own front-end innovation using a Stage Gate model from ideation to validation. Collaborate with R&D to test and assess technical and commercial viability. Guide optimization and pre-launch validation efforts. Turn broad ideas into clear, strategically aligned concepts. Project Management & Execution Lead projects from concept to shelf, meeting brand and business goals. Refine and optimize the commercialization process continuously. Define scopes, timelines, budgets, and resources clearly. Kick off projects with clear expectations, responsibilities, and milestones. Maintain momentum, remove barriers, and manage risks proactively. Track timelines, facilitate cross-functional meetings, and escalate issues where necessary. Ensure comprehensive documentation and stakeholder alignment. Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration Lead cross-functional problem-solving across internal and external partners. Inspire accountability across teams in unfamiliar and complex project spaces. Facilitate seamless collaboration between Sales, Marketing, Ops, R&D, and other departments. Present data-driven recommendations and align stakeholders at all levels. Help teams adapt to new tools and processes. Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement Monitor in-market performance and deliver data-driven optimizations. Use RCA and process improvement tools to identify and resolve inefficiencies. Enhance tools and methodologies supporting commercialization. Recommend enhancements based on market feedback and internal performance metrics. Stakeholder Management Foster strong relationships with internal stakeholders. Provide consistent updates and communication on progress and risks. Support alignment through clear, actionable, and timely communications. Key Qualifications Education Bachelor''s degree required (Marketing, Business, Food Science, Supply Chain, etc.) PMP certification is an asset. Experience 57+ years in product innovation, commercialization, or brand/category management in food/CPG. Proven success managing product launches from ideation through execution. Experience in both Retail and Foodservice, ideally within the Canadian market. Familiarity with Stage Gate, I2M, and innovation lifecycle processes. Project Management Skills Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex, cross-functional projects. Deep project/change management knowledge. Strong prioritization and organizational capabilities. Experience with tools like Smartsheet, MS Project, or Excel. Analytical & Strategic Thinking Strong analytical skills and ability to translate data into action. Insight-driven with a strategic mindset for identifying opportunities. Skilled at connecting insights, trends, and business goals. Communication & Influence Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Comfortable influencing stakeholders across functions and levels. Able to build strong cases for innovation using data and consumer insights. Leadership & Teamwork Strong collaborator and team leader with a bias for action. Experience working with cross-functional teams in dynamic environments. Able to inspire and align teams to shared goals. Adaptability & Results Orientation Resilient in fast-paced, ambiguous environments. Resourceful, proactive, and driven to achieve outcomes. Comfortable balancing multiple priorities and timelines. Industry & Technical Knowledge In-depth understanding of North American food and CPG innovation trends. Passion for food, consumer behavior, and evolving culinary trends. Proficiency in Microsoft Office; ERP or PLM system experience is an asset.