Commercializer – Food Manufacturing

Gem Care; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Gem Care Inc. in Knoxville, TN seeks an experienced Commercializer to lead new product commercialization from concept to launch. You will steer cross-functional teams across R&D, Operations, Quality, and Marketing to ensure timely, cost-effective product introductions.

The role requires an engineering-related degree and 8+ years in product commercialization, with Lean Six Sigma or PMP credentials preferred. Direct hire with strong growth potential and industry impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, food science, supply chain or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in product commercialization, project management, and manufacturing consumer-packaged goods (Food & Beverage preferred).
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification (Preferred).
• Project Management Professional (PMP) (Preferred).
• Familiarity with food safety and preventative controls (Highly Preferred).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and critical path activities to ensure successful project execution.
• Drive accountability across project teams to achieve objectives, timelines, and commitments.
• Identify project risks, develop mitigation plans, and resolve issues that may impact scope, schedule, cost, or quality.
• Coordinate and communicate project priorities, decisions, and progress with stakeholders at all levels.
• Lead regular project meetings with clear action plans, ownership, and follow-up on key deliverables.
• Monitor project performance and provide updates on status, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Manage change requests and ensure project scope remains aligned with business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams through all phases of commercialization from concept to launch.
• Serve as liaison between R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Business teams for alignment.
• Facilitate state-gate reviews and ensure required deliverables and readiness criteria are met.
• Evaluate manufacturing capabilities, process feasibility, and production readiness.
• Ensure commercialization activities comply with quality, regulatory, and food safety requirements.
• Transfer knowledge and plan launches, including co-manufacturing relationships and agreements.
• Drive continuous improvement of commercialization processes, tools and practices.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Food Science/Supply Chain or related technical discipline

Job description

Commercializer - Food Manufacturing

Exciting new opening for a Commercializer in the Food Manufacturing industry. This position will be based in Knoxville, TN and offers an excellent pay and benefits package. Starting salary will depend on experience, education, and training. This is a Direct Hire opportunity with one of the top manufacturing companies in the Southeast.

Engineering Degree and Stage Gate experience in Commercialization is mandatory.

Job Description:

The Commercializer is a project leader responsible for driving new products from concept through commercialization. This role leads cross-functional teams through the complete product development lifecycle, including benchtop development, pilot production, full-scale manufacturing, and market launch.

The Commercializer ensures successful execution of projects by applying project management best practices, adhering to stage-gate requirements, and managing timelines, risks, resources, and stakeholder alignment. The role partners closely with R&D, Operations, Quality, Logistics, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales teams to deliver products that meet technical, operational, financial, and customer expectations.

The successful candidate is a self-directed leader who excels at enabling cross-functional teams to achieve objectives and milestones.

Duties:

• Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and critical path activities to ensure successful project execution.
• Drive accountability across project teams to achieve project objectives, timelines, and business commitments.
• Identify project risks, develop mitigation plans, and proactively resolve issues that may impact scope, schedule, cost, or quality.
• Coordinate and communicate project priorities, decisions, and progress with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Lead regular project meetings, ensuring clear action plans, ownership, and follow-up of key deliversables.
• Monitor project performance and provide timely updates on status, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Manage change requests and ensure project scope remains aligned with business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional project teams through all phases of the commercialization process, from concept development through launch.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Research & Development, Supply Chain, Operations, and Business teams, ensuring alignment on project plans, risks, and readiness throughout the commercialization process.
• Facilitate state-gate reviews and ensure completion of required deliverables, approvals, and readiness criteria.
• Partner with technical and operational teams to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, process feasibility, and production readiness.
• Ensure commercialization activities comply with quality, regulatory, and food safety requirements.
• Facilitate the transition of products from development to operations through effective knowledge transfer and launch planning, including co-manufacturing relationships and agreements.
• Drive continuous improvement of commercialization processes, tools and practices.

Education, Experience & Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain or related technical discipline is required.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience in product commercialization, project management, and manufacturing consumer-packaged goods (Food & Beverage preferred).
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification. (Preferred)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) (Preferred)
• Familiarity with food safety and preventative controls (Highly Preferred)