Commercialization Manager

Commercialization Manager

Company Overview

Heartland Food Products Group, owners of Splenda, Equal, Whole Earth, Pure Via, SlimFast and Java House Coffee is looking to add a new Commercialization Manager to our team to help us continue to grow our lineup of great tasting products. The role will also work on Private Label packaging to support our retail customers. Heartland is the global leader in multiple categories consumed by millions of people every day. This is a unique opportunity to put your mark on our rapidly growing business by working with cross-functional teams to bring new innovative products to market. 

Heartland products are manufactured in the United States and distributed throughout North America, Europe, Central and South America, and the Pacific Rim. As an organization we take pride in being Fast, Innovative and Flexible and the commercialization function is critical in delivering on this promise. 

This is on-site only in our Carmel, Indiana Clay Terrace office.

Position Summary

The Commercialization Manager is responsible for helping bring products from concept through production and supporting successful market execution. This role will partner with cross-functional teams to translate category and product strategies into actionable packaging, marketing, merchandising, reporting, and commercialization plans.

A key focus of the role is to educate and equip the field sales organization with the information, tools, and standards needed to execute product launches and category initiatives successfully. The Commercialization Manager will play an important role in supporting Heartland Food Products Group’s leadership in innovation and product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion and lead assigned category commercialization efforts from concept development through production readiness and market execution.
• Ensure category strategy is effectively translated into packaging, marketing, merchandising, and sales-support tactics.
• Partner with cross-functional teams across the organization to coordinate commercialization activities and align project priorities, timelines, plans, and standards.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to support the development and execution of product, packaging, and category initiatives.
• Help prepare the field sales force for successful execution by communicating product information, category strategies, marketing plans, merchandising expectations, and applicable standards.
• Manage internal communications related to data reports, category plans, project updates, and execution standards.
• Coordinate and manage market research activities for designated categories, using available consumer, category, and market data to support business decisions.
• Analyze relevant market information and communicate key findings, implications, and opportunities to internal stakeholders.
• Execute, maintain, and distribute reporting for designated categories, ensuring that information is accurate, timely, organized, and useful for decision-making.
• Support the development of consistent processes and documentation for commercialization initiatives.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines in an extremely fast-paced environment.
• Identify issues, ask thoughtful questions, and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to support effective project execution.
• Contribute to a collaborative, innovative work environment focused on continuous improvement in product development and commercialization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration required.
• Minimum of two years of experience with a consumer products manufacturer; food manufacturing experience is ideal.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to organize work, manage multiple priorities, track progress, and meet deadlines.
• Proven ability to multitask, prioritize projects, ensure accuracy, and perform effectively in an extremely fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply deductive reasoning, logic, curiosity, and creativity.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate reports, plans, standards, and project updates to internal teams and the field sales organization.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across the organization.
• Detail-oriented approach with a commitment to accurate reporting, organized project execution, and consistent follow-through.