Director of Sales & Commercial Strategy

Spindrift; Newtonville; On-site; CAD 195,000 - 244,000; Full time

Job summary

A beverage innovation company in Newtonville, Nova Scotia, is seeking a Director of Commercial Strategy to drive the go-to-market strategy for new products. This role involves designing strategies, establishing new sales channels, and closely collaborating across departments to measure performance and inform product iterations. Ideal candidates will have over 7 years of relevant sales experience, a proven track record in launching products, and an ability to navigate ambiguity in fast-paced environments.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Company-paid life insurance

401k employer contribution

Monthly cell phone allowance

Paid parental leave

Annual allowances for personal use

Qualifications

• 7+ years of sales and commercial experience in food, beverage, or CPG categories.
• Proven ability to launch and test new products in-market.
• Strong understanding of different retail, DTC, and alternative sales channels.

Responsibilities

• Design and lead go-to-market strategies for new product concepts.
• Identify and establish new sales channels.
• Collaborate across departments to shape launch plans.

Skills

Sales experience

Commercial strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

Market testing

Creative problem-solving

Job description

About Spindrift Ventures

Spindrift Ventures is the innovation engine within Spindrift, focused on identifying, developing, and piloting bold new initiatives that drive long-term growth. Our mission is to explore emerging trends, untapped markets, and transformative product concepts through rapid experimentation and data-driven decisions. We operate like an agile internal startup—lean, creative, and future-focused.

About the Role

We’re seeking an entrepreneurial, resourceful Director of Commercial Strategy to lead the go-to-market strategy for new products and initiatives. Working at the intersection of corporate strategy, sales and marketing, this role is an opportunity to think differently, move quickly, and help shape the future of a brand consumers already love. If you’re energized by building something new—and figuring out where and how to sell it—this is your job.

You will be responsible for determining where, how, and with whom we launch early-stage products. You’ll explore unconventional sales channels and/or test in emerging markets, while collaborating closely with the Ventures team (Product Development, Marketing, and Operations) to define success metrics, measure performance, and help decide whether to scale, refine, or sunset initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and lead go-to-market strategies for new product concepts
• Identify and establish new sales channels—including those outside Spindrift’s current footprint
• Work across departments to shape launch plans, timing, and KPIs
• Test and learn: independently run small-scale tests in novel or underexplored markets
• Provide real-world sales feedback to inform product iteration and positioning
• Build relationships with external retail, distribution, and marketplace partners
• Stay ahead of industry trends and shifting consumer behavior to inform sales strategy
• Act as a commercial thought partner to the Ventures team, advocating for scalable, smart growth

What Success Looks Like

• A track record of tested, data-informed, go-to-market approaches for multiple Ventures initiatives
• Breakthroughs in sales channels, formats, or markets that expand Spindrift’s commercial reach
• Strong cross-functional collaboration across Ventures with a playbook for successful tests that can be handed off to core business partners
• Clear frameworks for testing and evaluating commercial viability of new ideas

Working Conditions

• Willing and able to work from our Newton, MA office 4 days a week
• Potential travel, up to 15%-25%

• 7+ years of sales and commercial experience in food, beverage, or CPG categories
• Proven ability to launch and test new products in-market
• Deep understanding of different retail, DTC, and alternative sales channels
• Experience in a startup, innovation, or test-and-learn environment is highly valued
• Creative problem-solver with an experimental mindset
• Excellent communicator who thrives in cross-functional teams
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and working autonomously
• International sales or market launch experience is a strong plus

In addition to the salary range for this position ($140,000 - $175,000), Spindrift offers the following compensation and benefits:

• Short-term incentive programs specific to level and department
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, with a current employer contribution rate of 80% towards monthly premiums, regardless of plan type selected
• Company-paid life insurance and a 401k employer contribution
• Monthly cell phone allowance
• Annual allowances for personal use of Spindrift product, health and wellness, professional development and social justice education
• Voluntary life, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
• In addition to any paid leave benefits required by regulation, the company provides paid parental leave, vacation, sick, personal, bereavement, community service, and holiday time