Commercialisation Manager

HR Genie; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company is seeking an experienced individual to lead the end-to-end commercialization process for new products. The candidate must have a strong background in innovation and commercialization within the FMCG sector, along with proven capabilities in cross-functional project roles and stakeholder management. This is a crucial role that offers the opportunity to drive significant growth and transformation within the organization.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in FMCG/consumer goods, preferably in innovation.
• Proven track record in launching products and managing innovation pipelines.
• Experience with P&L, trade-offs, cost structures, and business cases.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commercialization process of new products.
• Develop and maintain robust stage-gate processes.
• Orchestrate readiness across functions: Supply Chain, R&D, Manufacturing, etc.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Project management

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree (Business, Marketing, Engineering or equivalent)

Tools

ERP systems (e.g. SAP)

Data tools (e.g. Power BI, Excel)

Job description

Drive the successful transformation of product concepts into commercial reality. Lead the end-to-end commercialisation process of ensuring new products, innovations, or portfolio changes are market-ready, deliver financial targets, and are operationally viable. Translate strategic objectives into executable activation plans that meet business, supply chain, and consumer needs.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs

Innovation Pipeline & Portfolio Strategy

Lead the evaluation of ideas in the innovation pipeline through desirability (consumer & brand fit), feasibility (operational capability), and viability (commercial returns).

Determine trade-offs early and guide prioritisation based on strategic alignment, resource constraints, and expected impact.

Ensure innovation sufficiency vs. growth and tracking pipeline vs. targets objectives.

Commercialisation Planning & Governance

Develop and maintain robust stage-gate processes and governance forums to monitor progress, review risks, approve key decisions, and align cross-functional stakeholders.

Create detailed commercialisation roadmaps, defining key milestones, dependencies, and decision points.

Champion best practices (waterfall, agile, lean methods) to accelerate speed to market reliably.

Cross-Functional Execution Leadership

Orchestrate readiness across functions : Supply Chain, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Sales, Marketing, and Trade.

Identify and resolve blockers proactively, managing trade-offs, capacity constraints, and interdependencies.

Oversee launch readiness activities : pilot / plant trials, sample approvals, packaging & artwork, regulatory compliance.

Coordinate with Sales and Trade for customer sell-in and channel execution.

Commercial Performance & Optimisation

Partner with Finance and Brand Revenue to build and validate business cases (volume, cost, margin, ROI).

Post-launch, monitor actual vs target performance (volume, revenue, margin, share), conduct learnings reviews, and drive course corrections.

Identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency, simplify complexity, and enhance product profitability and market longevity.

Capability Building & Continuous Improvement

Define capability gaps in the various business units and partner with regional teams to build innovation and commercial skills (digital tools, agile processes, data analytics).

Embed process improvements to boost speed, reduce waste, and create a repeatable, scalable commercialisation model.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelors degree (Business, Marketing, Engineering, or equivalent).

8+ years of relevant experience in FMCG / consumer goods, preferably in innovation, commercialisation, or cross-functional project roles.

Deep commercial acumen : experience with P&L, trade-offs, cost structures, and business cases.

Proven track record in launching products and managing innovation pipelines.

Experience in cross-functional stakeholder management across Marketing, Supply Chain, R&D, Sales, and Finance.

Proficiency in project / programme management, and strong analytical skills.

Experience with ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and data tools (e.g. Power BI, Excel) preferred.

Behavioural Competencies

Strategic and Commercial Thinking Understands the broader business context and aligns commercialisation initiatives with strategic and financial objectives. Anticipates market trends, evaluates risks and opportunities, and makes decisions that balance innovation with business performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration Builds strong partnerships across Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, R&D, and Finance to ensure alignment and delivery of launch objectives. Fosters teamwork, open communication, and accountability across all stakeholders.

Execution and Results Orientation Delivers projects on time, within scope, and to quality standards. Anticipates challenges, drives solutions, and maintains momentum through disciplined planning and follow-through.

Decision Making and Judgement Makes timely, well-informed decisions based on sound analysis and insight. Weighs trade-offs effectively and remains objective under pressure or ambiguity.

Communication and Influence Communicates clearly and persuasively at all levels, translating complex information into actionable messages. Builds commitment and alignment through strong interpersonal and presentation skills.

Adaptability and Agility Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Adjusts plans as needed, remains composed under pressure, and champions continuous improvement.