Senior Director, Commercial Strategy & Operations

fairlife; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 185,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Job summary

fairlife, LLC, a Chicago-based nutrition company, is seeking a Senior Director of Commercial Strategy & Operations to define enterprise strategy across brands, channels, and customers. You will align long-range and annual plans, prioritize growth opportunities, and drive go-to-market execution with cross-functional partners.

The role requires 12+ years in commercial leadership, deep consumer goods experience, and a data-driven approach.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive leadership in commercial strategy or general management.
• Proven ability to build and grow high-performing teams.
• Extensive experience in consumer goods, beverage, or retail settings.
• Expertise turning insights into go-to-market plans.
• Collaborative leader who can influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead enterprise commercial strategy across brands, channels, and customers.
• Develop long-range and annual operating plans with clear growth prioritization.
• Lead channel and customer strategy, including prioritization, joint business planning, and route-to-market optimization.
• Oversee commercialization of innovations and portfolio initiatives with strong go-to-market execution.
• Establish a commercial performance framework using data and insights to identify risks and opportunities.
• Serve as a strategic integrator across Brand, Sales, Finance and Supply Chain to align priorities and execution.
• Lead operating rhythms and governance to drive accountability and alignment.
• Build and lead a high-performing Commercial Strategy & Operations organization with talent development.
• Drive capability development in planning, analytics, revenue growth management, and execution.
• Lead organizational evolution to support long-term growth.

Skills

Leadership experience

High-performing teams

Consumer goods experience

Data-driven decisions

Cross-functional collaboration

Executive communications

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Entrepreneurial mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Job description

Senior Director, Commercial Strategy & Operations

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

Job Purpose

The Senior Director, Commercial Strategy & Operations is responsible for defining and leading the enterprise commercial strategy to deliver sustainable, profitable growth. This role provides strategic direction across brands, channels, and customers while ensuring best-in-class go-to-market execution.

This leader operates with a general manager mindset, connecting insights across consumer, category, customer, and channel to shape long-term growth strategies. The role serves as a key partner to Brand, Sales, Franchise, RGM, Insights, Finance and Supply Chain, driving alignment and execution across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the enterprise commercial strategy across brands, channels, and customers to deliver sustainable, profitable growth
• Develop and align long-range plans and annual operating plans, ensuring clear prioritization of growth opportunities
• Lead channel and customer strategy, including prioritization, joint business planning, and route-to-market optimization
• Oversee commercialization of innovation and portfolio initiatives, ensuring strong go-to-market execution across all channels
• Establish and drive a commercial performance management framework, using data and insights to identify risks and unlock opportunities
• Serve as a strategic integrator across Brand, Sales, Franchise, RGM, Insights, Finance and Supply Chain, to align business priorities and execution
• Lead key operating rhythms and governance forums to drive accountability, decision-making, and organizational alignment
• Build and lead a high-performing Commercial Strategy & Operations organization, including talent development and succession planning
• Drive capability development in commercial planning, analytics, revenue growth management, and execution excellence
• Lead organizational evolution, ensuring the right structure, talent, and processes are in place to support long-term growth

Skills / Qualifications Required

• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in commercial strategy, sales strategy or general management roles
• Proven track records of building, leading and developing high-performing teams
• Strong experience in consumer goods, beverage or retail-driven environments
• Demonstrated ability to leverage data and insights to drive business decisions
• Collaborative leader with ability to influence and partner with cross‑functional teams and senior internal and external stakeholders
• Exceptional communication and executive presence skills
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
• Ability to thrive in fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment

Benefits

At fairlife, we believe in better — and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one!
• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)
• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance
• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)
• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support
• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match
• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)
• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential
• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups

fairlife’s nour!sh program is designed to meet you where you are — supporting your individual wellbeing journey while enabling you to do your best work every day.

Reports to: VP, Commercial

Exempt / Nonexempt: exempt

#LI-BB1

Base pay range: $185,000 - $215,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job‑related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email [e-mail].