Commercialization Manager (12 month contract)

Position Title: Commercialization Manager (12 month contract)
Position Type: Temporary - Full-Time
Position Location: Toronto HQ
Requisition ID: 36451
The Commercialization Manager (12 month contract) is a crucial member of the North American Appetizer team and is responsible for leading the: planning, execution, and delivery of new and enhanced products, pack modifications, & commercialization projects. All of this is critical to driving business growth and achieving our strategic objectives. This role will focus on key core (non-disruptive) innovation workstreams within the business unit and work closely with the Sales, Go to Market Channel Leads, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain teams with a focus on Foodservice.
The successful candidate will be able to balance speed of delivery while maintaining executional excellence to ensure the team has clear priorities and is focused, inspired, and on track to meet objectives of the channel.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Planning & Initiation:

• Understands and documents the commercialization project strategy to obtain a thorough understanding of the business outcomes
• Supports and leads commercialization across the Foodservice Appetizers business.
• Develops comprehensive project plans, including scope, timeline, budget, and resource allocation.
• Defines project objectives, deliverables, and key performance indicators (KPIs) in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Conducts risk assessments and defines mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Ensures all projects align with business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Motivates the broader team around key project goals, timing, etc.

Project Execution & Monitoring:

• Leads the project team in executing project plans, ensuring adherence to the project scope, timeline, and budget.
• Monitors project progress, identifying potential risks, and implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Coordinates with cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure project resources are effectively utilized.
• Manages day-to-day project activities, including task assignments, status tracking, and problem resolution.
• Manages all packaging changes and indirectly leads other teams including Packaging Engineering, R&D, Marketing to execute the changes.

Stakeholder Communication & Reporting:

• Acts as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing regular updates on project progress, challenges, and risks.
• Sells and reports on key workstreams internally across the organization.
• Prepares and presents status reports to management, highlighting key achievements, issues, and any adjustments to the project plan.
• Fosters strong working relationships with internal teams, clients, and external partners to ensure project alignment.

Risk Management & Issue Resolution:

• Leads efforts to troubleshoot issues and manage any changes to project scope or timelines, ensuring all impacts are properly communicated.
• Escalates critical issues to management as needed and propose solutions to resolve them.

Project Closure & Review:

• Conducts post-project evaluations to assess performance against objectives, including lessons learned and process improvement recommendations.
• Ensures successful project handover to operational teams or clients, ensuring smooth transition and sustainability of outcomes.
• Discover ways to enhance efficiency and productivity of procedures and people.
• Manages final project documentation and closure activities, ensuring all deliverables are met and the project is officially concluded.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic Vision & Execution: Expertise in aligning project initiatives with long-term strategic business objectives, driving measurable success across the organization.
• Leadership & Influence: Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and influencing without direct authority.
• Project Management: Expertise in managing complex, multi-phase projects from concept to completion.
• Analytical & Problem-solving: Strong ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make informed decisions to drive successful execution.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to all levels of the organization.

Requirements:

• 8+ years of experience proven project management experience within complex business environments.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required with PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is considered an asset.
• Food and foodservice experience preferred.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, timelines, and resources effectively.
• Experience delivering complex and multifunctional projects through leading and influencing cross-functional teams, managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Excellent organizational, leadership and communication skills.
• Strong prioritization skills to ensure resources are leveraged and applied to the most important business issues with the highest return.
• A successful career progression, with a history of increasing levels of responsibility.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello, or Jira).
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong business acumen with strategic ability.
• Demonstrated experience in managing "upward" among senior leadership and ensure accountability of team.
• Demonstrated experience in leading diverse teams, across multiple regions.

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
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Job Family: Marketing
Division: NA Appetizers
Department: Marketing Foodservice Appetizers
Location(s): CA - Canada : Ontario : Toronto || CA - Canada : New Brunswick : Florenceville-Bristol
Company: McCain Foods (Canada)