Commercialization Excellence Lead

Kraft Heinz; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 142,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Wellbeing programs

Job summary

Kraft Heinz.com in Chicago seeks a seasoned The Commercialization Excellence Lead to transform our Project Management Organization and drive NSV targets, margins, and time-to-market commitments. This senior role blends strategic vision with hands-on execution across governance, learning plans, and performance accountability.

You will architect processes, talent models, and digital tools, while leading multi-functional teams, stakeholder alignment, and change management in a fast-paced consumer

Qualifications

• 10+ years in project management or transformation in CPG or related industries.
• Deep expertise in commercialization, portfolio governance, and program management.
• Proven track record maturing a commercialization function.
• Experience managing cross-functional initiative portfolios end-to-end.
• Experience leading enterprise change management at executive level.
• Proficiency with portfolio management systems (Planview, Smartsheet, MS Project, SAP).
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent; MBA a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute a multi-year commercialization capability roadmap.
• Design and implement a project governance framework.
• Establish standardized decision-making frameworks (RACI, Gate criteria).
• Build change management practices and enable adoption.
• Champion a Business First, Project Second operating philosophy.
• Develop learning plans and post-launch performance discipline.
• Establish post-launch tracking and rapid corrective action.
• Design dashboards and governance reporting for leadership visibility.

Skills

Commercialization leadership

Portfolio governance

Change management

Stakeholder alignment

Digital adoption

Executive communication

Education

PMP / PgMP

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

Planview

Smartsheet

MS Project

SAP

Job description

TheCommercialization Excellence Lead is responsible for the foundational transformation of our Project Management Organization, in service of delivering Net Sales Value (NSV) targets, margin objectives, and time-to-market commitments. This is an opportunity for a seasoned commercialization leader to build something that matters - elevating how we conceive, plan, and deliver innovation across our entire portfolio.

As a senior leader of a commercialization organization, you will architect and institutionalize the processes, talent models, and digital systems that underpin world-class project management. You will set the standard for how multi-functional initiative teams operate: from stage-gate rigor and decision governance to in-market learning and post-launch performance accountability. This role demands equal parts strategic vision and hands-on execution, and equal parts process architect and people developer.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Commercialization Capability & Maturity Transformation

• Define and execute a multi-year commercialization capability maturity roadmap - spanning process, people, and technology - aligned to enterprise innovation ambitions.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve a project governance framework (agile, stage-gate, hybrid) scaled to initiative complexity, risk, and strategic importance.
• Establish standardized decision-making frameworks (RACI, Gate readiness criteria, issue escalation paths) that enable speed without sacrificing quality.
• Build and institutionalize rigorous change management practices, ensuring aligned base plans serve as the backbone of all initiative execution.
• Champion a 'Business First, Project Second' operating philosophy: anchoring every initiative plan to consumer-centric success criteria and competitive market realities.
• Develop and update comprehensive Commercial, Technical, and Market learning plans that generate the insights needed to support Gate decisions and in-market readiness.
• Establish post-launch tracking discipline using structured performance templates; drive corrective action rapidly when results diverge from commitments.

Stakeholder Alignment & Courageous Leadership

• Act as the commercialization's senior advisor - framing risks, surfacing key issues, and presenting decision-ready options for senior leadership with full transparency.
• Partner with commercialization, functional leaders, key decision makers to build strong governance communities and drive cross-functional accountability.

Talent Development & Capability Building

• Define role profiles, competency frameworks, and career ladders that attract, develop, and retain top commercialization talent in a competitive CPG environment; build and execute a capability development roadmap for Project/Program Managers and cross-functional initiative team members.
• Lead onboarding, team effectiveness, and health-check cadences that establish high-performing norms across all initiative teams.
• Coach and mentor a team of project managers; embed 5E Leadership principles as the operating model for all multi-functional team leadership.

Systems, Processes & Digital Enablement

• Lead the selection, implementation, and adoption of commercialization technology (portfolio management platforms, stage-gate tracking tools, collaboration systems).
• Define and enforce project data standards, tracking compliance protocols, and reporting cadences across the initiative portfolio.
• Design dashboards and governance reporting that give leadership real-time visibility into portfolio health, risk, and capacity utilization.
• Evaluate and continuously improve the integrated planning processes (AOP schedules, spending plans, resource allocation) that drive cross-functional synchronization.

Qualifications

Expected Experience & Required Skills

• 10+ years of progressive experience in project management, commercialization leadership, or transformation roles within CPG, food & beverage, or adjacent consumer industries.
• Deep expertise in commercialization and innovation processes, portfolio governance, and multi-functional program management.
• Demonstrated success building or significantly maturing a commercialization function - including process design, talent development, and technology enablement.
• Strong track record of managing complex, cross-functional initiative portfolios from ideation through commercialization and in-market performance.
• Experience leading enterprise change management and stakeholder alignment at the executive level.
• Proficiency with portfolio management systems (e.g., Planview, Smartsheet, MS Project, SAP) and a track record of driving digital adoption.
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent certification preferred; MBA or advanced degree a plus.

Leadership and Competency Profile

• Courageous communicator: equally comfortable delivering difficult news and advocating for bold decisions in executive settings.
• Systems thinker: able to see across process, people, and technology dimensions simultaneously, and design solutions that are durable at scale.
• Collaborative influencer: builds trust and drives alignment across functions without direct authority - a natural coalition builder.
• Results-oriented executor: sets aggressive goals, establishes clear accountability, and drives relentlessly to deliver.
• Talent multiplier: finds energy in growing others and building organizational capability as a legacy.
• Adaptable in ambiguity: thrives in transformation environments where the destination is clear but the path is still being built.

Work Environment & Schedule

• This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces Additionally, this role requires normal working hours and travel up to 10%.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range

$141,500.00 - $176,900.00

Bonus

This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Benefits

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.