Commercialization Manager

Family owned and operated, Bake'n Joy Foods, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of top-quality bakery products that began over eighty years ago in 1941. We manufacture a variety of products for professional bakers including frozen scoop batters, predeposited muffin, cornbread, loaf cakes and Boston Coffee Cakes, mixes as well as an expanding line of fully baked items such as coffee cakes, loaf cakes and more. We remain committed to providing top quality products, service, and value to our customers.

STAFFING AGENCIES AND RECRUITING FIRMS - PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT BAKE'N JOY FOR THIS ROLE

Commercialization Manager

Classification:

• Exempt (under the Fair Labor Standards Act)

Reports To:

• Director of R&D

JD Review Date:

• October 2024

Job Summary/Objective:

The Commercialization Manager is responsible for ensuring the successful scale-up and launch of new items across all of Bake'n Joy's product lines. This role will collaborate cross functionally with multiple stakeholders to organize, share, and properly execute on details required to produce product that aligns with company and customer expectations. The Manager is additionally to lead roll out of key changes to current commercial products, such as relates to new technology, process, or raw material.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the end-to-end commercialization of new products and changes to existing products, managing multiple projects simultaneously
• Lead and manage the process of transitioning new items from development phase to commercial production, including trials & scale up activities
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (R&D, Operations, FSQA, Sales, Marketing, and Procurement) to ensure smooth execution of product launches
• Create process standards to control risks and ensure repeatability of desired outcomes; document and communicate those standards in easily comprehendible outputs
• Oversee trials, scale-up activities, and production launches, attending initial runs and gathering critical data to ensure quality and process compliance
• Create and set finished product specifications with input from R&D & Packaging. Communicate appropriately with FSQA and Operation teams.
• Manage changes to commercialized products in a methodical fashion with clear documentation and instruction to pertinent teams.
• Proactively identify risks and roadblocks, developing contingency plans and escalating issues when necessary to meet project deadlines
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the organization to manage timelines, budgets, and resources effectively.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all commercialization-related activities, ensuring strong communication between departments.

Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to understand complexities for scale of new items & anticipate areas of concern. Build plans to mitigate potential issues.
• Detail Oriented: Ensure all pertinent details are accurately captured in systems that support production
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to capture product expectations in clear specifications suitable for all levels of the organization
• Performance Measurement: Skills in analyzing metrics and process data to evaluate product performance and make data-driven decisions
• Leadership & Collaboration: Strong leadership skills, with the ability to influence and motivate cross-functional teams and foster collaboration across departments
• Adaptable and iterative: You thrive in an environment that requires constant refinement and iteration, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No direct reports, but will lead commercialization sub-teams and guide support staff in achieving project goals

Work Environment:

• Primarily office-based within the R&D department, with frequent exposure to manufacturing and lab environments.
• Moderate noise levels typical of a professional office, with periods of exposure to production areas.
• Frequent travel to production sites for product launches or trials.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer.
• Occasional walking, standing, and bending during interactions with production and R&D teams.
• Minimal lifting of product samples and files (up to 25 lbs).

Position Type:

• Full-Time

Work Hours:

• Standard business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
• Participate in regular early morning launches starting at 4-5 AM, with occasional support for the second shift as needed
• Overtime and weekend work as necessary based on business needs and project timelines.

Travel:

• Up to 10% travel, primarily for supplier meetings, production sites, or trade shows. Most travel is domestic, with occasional overnight stays.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science or other analytical discipline.
• 5-7 years of experience in food manufacturing, product development, or commercialization, with a strong understanding of process management

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience running commercialization for a fast-paced food production facility
• Familiarity with ERP systems, Bills of Material (BOM), and product lifecycle management
• Strong knowledge of food processing principles
• Experience with process equipment and understanding of its impact on product

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Bake'n Joy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.