Commercialization Project Manager

Description

About Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing

Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing is a global leader in popcorn production, delivering quality from seed to shelf since 1928. We operate a vertically integrated system that includes farming partnerships, processing, and manufacturing microwave and ready-to-eat popcorn products. With products distributed worldwide, we support national brands, private label partners, and our own Pop Weaver line through high-volume, SQF-certified production. From our farming network to our manufacturing facilities, every step is built around producing the highest quality popcorn consistently, safely, and reliably.

Position Overview

The Commercialization Manager is responsible for leading the successful execution of new product launches, product changes, customer initiatives, and commercialization projects across Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing.  

This role serves as the central project leader for the commercialization process, driving alignment and accountability across Sales, R&D, Quality, Packaging, Procurement, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Logistics, Scheduling, Finance, and our customers. 

The successful candidate will own project timelines from approval through launch, ensuring deliverables are completed on schedule, risks are identified early, and stakeholders remain informed throughout the process. This individual must possess exceptional organizational skills, strong business acumen, and the confidence to challenge assumptions, facilitate difficult conversations, and escalate issues when project commitments are at risk.

This role requires a highly proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and can influence teams without direct authority.

Responsibilities:

Commercialization Project Leadership

• Lead all commercialization projects from concept approval through product launch and post-launch review.
• Own project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and critical path activities.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and Gantt charts for all commercialization initiatives.
• Ensure all projects progress through Weaver's stage-gate commercialization process in accordance with established procedures.
• Drive timely completion of project deliverables across all functional departments.
• Identify project risks, bottlenecks, and resource constraints and develop mitigation plans.
• Escalate project risks and missed commitments to leadership when necessary.
• Maintain visibility into project status and proactively communicate changes to stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Accountability

• Facilitate kick-off meetings and commercialization reviews for new products and product change requests.
• Coordinate activities across Sales, R&D, Packaging, Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, Scheduling, Logistics, Finance, and Supply Chain.
• Hold project teams accountable for commitments, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Challenge assumptions and drive resolution of issues impacting project timelines.
• Foster collaboration while maintaining focus on execution and results.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for commercialization-related project communication.

Project Governance & Process Management

• Manage commercialization workflows within SafetyChain and other project management systems.
• Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor stage-gate compliance and adherence to commercialization procedures.
• Create standardized reporting tools, dashboards, and project tracking mechanisms.
• Establish and maintain clear project governance practices and communication standards.
• Continuously improve commercialization processes, tools, and team effectiveness.

Stakeholder Communication

• Provide weekly project status updates to key stakeholders and leadership teams.
• Communicate project risks, delays, decisions, and milestones in a clear and timely manner.
• Create executive-level summaries highlighting project health, critical issues, and launch readiness.
• Maintain transparency regarding customer-driven versus internal delays.
• Ensure stakeholders understand project priorities, responsibilities, and expected completion dates.

Customer Project Management & Communication

• Serve as a primary commercialization contact for customers throughout the product launch and implementation process.
• Communicate project timelines, key milestones, risks, requirements, and launch readiness updates to customers in a professional and proactive manner.
• Coordinate directly with customer supply chain, procurement, quality, packaging, and commercialization teams to ensure project deliverables are completed on time.
• Manage customer-facing commercialization activities, including gathering specifications, obtaining approvals, tracking artwork progress, coordinating samples, and communicating launch requirements.
• Maintain and update customer project management portals, commercialization platforms, specification systems, and other customer-required tools to ensure accurate and timely information is available.
• Facilitate resolution of customer questions, concerns, and project roadblocks while balancing customer expectations with internal operational capabilities.
• Drive accountability for customer-owned deliverables and approvals that impact project timelines.
• Provide visibility into customer-driven versus internally driven project delays and escalate risks when launch timelines are jeopardized.
• Build strong working relationships with customer stakeholders and serve as a trusted partner throughout the commercialization process.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Operations, Food Science, Engineering, Project Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional projects in manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (CPG), food manufacturing, supply chain, operations, commercialization, product development, or related environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously with competing priorities.
• Experience developing and maintaining detailed project plans and Gantt charts.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to work on-site in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Preferred

• Commercialization, product launch, stage-gate, PMO, or product development experience.
• Food manufacturing or consumer packaged goods experience.
• Experience working in ERP, PLM, SafetyChain, or similar systems.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training.
• Experience supporting private label and customer-specific product launches