Global Commercial Director, McDonald's Partnerships

Simplot; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The J.R. Simplot Company is seeking a seasoned Commercial Director to lead the Americas region in aligning regional execution with global McDonald’s strategy.

This role oversees growth opportunities across product, innovation, and supply chain, driving disciplined, value-driven outcomes with cross-functional partners. Reporting to senior leadership, you will shape regional strategies, manage high-stakes negotiations, and build executive relationships with McDonald’s stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in commercial leadership, category management, or strategic account roles.
• Proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and commercial outcomes with large, complex customers.
• Direct experience leading RFPs, negotiations, and competitive bid processes.
• Extensive experience operating in global, matrixed organizations.
• McDonald’s or comparable global QSR experience strongly preferred.
• Significant experience in commercial leadership, strategic account management or customer leadership roles within complex organizations.
• Proven success managing large, strategic customer relationships and delivering commercial growth.
• Strong commercial capability, including experience with RFP processes, growth planning, commercial strategy and customer negotiations.
• Experience operating across multiple countries, regions or global business environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across matrixed organizations and align stakeholders around shared objectives.
• Executive presence, credibility and confidence engaging with senior customer stakeholders, including C-suite leaders.
• A proactive, relationship-led approach with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities and shape future outcomes.
• Experience within McDonald’s, QSR, foodservice or comparable global customer environments will be highly regarded

Responsibilities

• Own regional commercial performance with accountability for category growth, revenue, margin, and long-term value creation.
• Lead development and execution of regional commercial strategies aligned with Simplot and McDonald’s global objectives.
• Identify, prioritize, and advance growth opportunities across product, innovation, supply chain optimization, and execution excellence.
• Own regional leadership for RFPs planning and commercial negotiations, ensuring disciplined, competitive, and value-driven outcomes.
• Supports the translations of regional macro and micro business drivers into clear commercial strategies and investment priorities.
• Lead regional innovation strategy in partnership with McDonald’s, including ideation, prioritization, and commercialization.
• Partner with internal Marketing, Innovation, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to advance customer-relevant solutions.
• Ensure innovation pipelines are aligned to McDonald’s strategic priorities and executable at scale.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, cost, sustainability, and customer experience.

Skills

Commercial leadership

RFPs

Negotiations

Strategic account management

Global / matrixed orgs

McDonald’s experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

The J.R. Simplot Company is seeking a seasoned Commercial Director to lead the Americas region in aligning regional execution with global McDonald’s strategy.

This role oversees growth opportunities across product, innovation, and supply chain, driving disciplined, value-driven outcomes with cross-functional partners. Reporting to senior leadership, you will shape regional strategies, manage high-stakes negotiations, and build executive relationships with McDonald’s stakeholders.