Director of Commercialization

Good Culture; Austin (TX); Remote; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Good Culture is seeking a Director of Commercialization to lead how we bring its next generation of dairy products from concept to full-scale production across our network of dedicated and co-manufacturing partner facilities.

This hands-on role requires plant-floor credibility and a track record of launching products, partnering with R&D, and leading line trials, installations, and scale-ups for fast-paced growth. Remote US with Midwest focus and substantial travel.

Qualifications

• Hands-on dairy processing experience on the plant floor.
• 10+ years in plant engineering, manufacturing, or operations.
• Proven track record commercializing new products from concept to full production.
• Strong capital planning, equipment specification, and line commissioning experience.
• Experience with co-manufacturers and driving results through influence.
• Collaborative leader in lean, fast-moving environments.
• Based in the Chicago area or Midwest, travel 50-75%.
• Degree in engineering, food science, or dairy science preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end commercialization of new products and innovation, from R&D handoff through line trials, scale-up, and full production launch across facilities.
• Single point of accountability for each launch; align internal teams and co-manufacturing partners on scope, timelines, and requirements.
• Partner with R&D to feasibility-test what is possible, where, and with whom.
• Spec new equipment and lead capital installations tied to innovation; meet schedule and budget.
• Lead commissioning of new production lines to support innovation and growth.
• Drive product ramp-up to stable, efficient production (yield, waste, OEE, cost).
• Vet facilities and co-manufacturers; maintain strong, trust-based relationships.
• Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and Marketing to move launches forward.

Skills

Dairy processing

Plant engineering

Operations leadership

Capital planning

Equipment specification

Line commissioning

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel 50-75%

Education

Engineering or dairy science degree

Job description

Director of Commercialization

Location: Remote US (Midwest preferred, near major airport)

Reports to: VP of Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Department: Operations

Travel Requirement: 50-75%

Job Purpose Summary

We are currently seeking a Director of Commercialization to lead how Good Culture brings its next generation of products to life, turning R&D concepts into full-scale production across our network of dedicated and co-manufacturing partner facilities. This is a hands-on role for a proven dairy manufacturing leader. We’re looking for someone who came up through plant engineering, processing, and operations, brings real plant-floor credibility to every conversation, and is ready to own new product launches from first concept to full production.

You will own the end-to-end commercialization of new products and innovation. That includes partnering with R&D to pressure-test what is feasible, where, and with whom; speccing equipment; and leading the line trials, installations, and scale-ups that make launches happen. This role is highly collaborative. You’ll work hand in hand with internal teams and our co-manufacturing partners, driving results through influence, rapport, and technical credibility. As Good Culture invests in new capacity, technology, and innovation, you will build the processes and partnerships that let us launch new products faster and better, bridging strategy and execution on the work that matters most.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end commercialization of new products and innovation, from R&D handoff and feasibility through line trials, scale-up, and full production launch across dedicated and co-manufacturing facilities.
• Serve as the single point of accountability for each launch, keeping internal teams and co-manufacturing partners aligned on scope, timelines, and technical requirements.
• Partner closely with R&D to pressure-test what is feasible, where, and with whom, bringing plant-floor reality into product development decisions early.
• Spec new equipment and lead capital installations tied to innovation, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and to standard.
• Lead the commissioning of new production lines in support of innovation and network growth.
• Drive new products through ramp-up to stable, efficient production (yield, waste, OEE, and cost), building repeatable launch playbooks rather than one-off fixes.
• Vet prospective facilities and co-manufacturing partners; build strong, trust-based relationships and hold the line on technical standards and execution.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, R&D, and Marketing to move product launches forward on schedule.
• Own the capital and project budget for commercialization work, and report progress to executive leadership.
• Help shape where and how new products are manufactured across the network as Good Culture scales.

Job Qualifications

• Must have hands-on dairy processing experience with real time spent on the plant floor. Cottage cheese and cultured dairy experience strongly preferred; broader cheese-making or dairy experience considered.
• 10+ years of progressive plant engineering, manufacturing, or operations experience.
• Proven track record commercializing new products, taking innovation from concept through line trials and into full-scale production.
• Strong command of capital planning, equipment specification, and line commissioning.
• Deep experience working with (or inside) co-manufacturers; able to drive results through influence and rapport, not direct authority.
• Highly collaborative. Builds rapport quickly, communicates clearly across functions and with external partners, and handles tension productively.
• Thrives in a lean, scrappy, fast-moving environment without big-company infrastructure, and can build process and rigor where none exists yet.
• Based in the Chicago area or broader Midwest, near a major airport, with the ability to travel 50-75% of the time.
• Degree in engineering, food science, or dairy science is a plus, but hands-on operators who came up through the ranks are equally welcome.

About Good Culture

We believethat if you eat good things, and surround yourself with good, you’ll feel good. Simple as that. That’s why we decided to create a food company that offers real organic ingredients from trusted sources, promotes good health and tastes great. Our mission is to reinvent the food system, from the (actual) ground up. We are a cultured dairy company that currently makes pasture-raised cottage cheese, rich probiotic sour cream, cream cheese and probiotic milk. We’re looking for some cultured healers!

Good Culture is an equal opportunity employer. At Good Culture we also believe a great culture fosters and values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We seek individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this position. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Good Culture is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.