As a Project Manager - Innovation and Commercialization, you will support the core marketing team with a direct focus on Distributor Label and Private Label partnerships through commercial innovation. Acting as a central liaison across cross-functional partners - including Sales, Go-to-Market, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, and R&D - you will ensure all initiatives are executed on time, on strategy, and within budget.
This high-impact role requires an energetic leader with a strong commercial mindset, hands-on stage-gate leadership, and the ability to drive alignment across a matrixed consumer packaged goods (CPG) environment. You will oversee high-visibility initiatives, including a multi-SKU private label expansion bid, bringing structure, accountability, and clarity to complex launch workflows.
Responsibilities
- End-to-End Project Management: Lead the project lifecycle of major RFP initiatives and product launches from initial brief and formula development through commercialization and final customer delivery.
- Stage-Gate Leadership: Own and run stage-gate documentation, milestone tracking, and formal approval workflows, ensuring operational completeness and timely sign-off at each phase.
- Portfolio Management: Oversee a portfolio of Private Label launches, line extensions, and ongoing catalog adjustments (including tail analysis, SKU rationalization, and compliance updates).
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Coordinate and drive alignment across cross-functional partners - such as R&D, Packaging Engineering, Plant Scheduling, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Go-to-Market teams.
- Tracking & Risk Mitigation: Build and maintain detailed project trackers and timelines, proactively identifying bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and risks to implement swift corrective actions.
- Commercial Support: Collaborate with brand and sales teams to prepare sales collateral, support customer bid submissions, and drive market share growth.
Requirements
Must-Have Qualifications:
- 5–10 years of CPG experience in marketing operations, commercialization, or project management within a Tier 1 or Tier 2 matrixed organization.
- Commercialization & Stage-Gate Expertise: Proven track record of guiding food/beverage or CPG products through stage-gate commercialization cycles from concept to market launch.
- Cross-Functional Leadership: Demonstrated success influencing and driving accountability across multi-disciplinary teams (Operations, R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, and Sales).
- Commercial & Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of P&L fundamentals, value chains, and portfolio tail analysis.
- Tools & Systems: High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and experience utilizing project management/stage-gate workflow software.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Operations, or a related field.
Nice-to-Have Qualifications:
- Prior experience with Distributor Label / Private Label (PL) management or foodservice channel dynamics.
- Demonstrated ability to build structure and operational clarity in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
- Master’s degree or MBA.
Key Attributes:
- Tenacious, proactive problem-solver with strong attention to detail and organizational rigor.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing without direct authority.
- Ability to travel internationally (valid passport and eligibility for travel to the US).
Ready to Apply?
If you are an organized, commercially minded project manager ready to drive impactful launches in the CPG space, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume today to be considered for this exciting opportunity.
Note: This posting is for existing and upcoming vacancies.
Cella by Randstad Digital uses artificial intelligence to help our recruiters screen, assess and select qualified talent for this role and others within our database. Although Cella by Randstad Digital uses A.I. as a tool, candidate selection and hiring decisions are made by our employees.
