Commercialization Manager (2279) at Carl Buddig & Company – Tinley Park, Illinois

About Us:

Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin.

As a third-generation family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.

At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals.

Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years.

Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated Commercialization Manager to support and enhance Carl Buddig and Company’s commercialization efforts. This role will be instrumental in establishing a structured, disciplined new product development approach that ensures cross-functional alignment and successful, on-time launches. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, is adept at change management, and can take our current commercialization efforts to the next level by implementing best practices and fostering collaboration across key departments

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process Leadership: Develop and implement a structured, stage-gate commercialization process that improves efficiency, decision-making, and project execution from concept to market launch.
• Project Management: Support project lead and cross-functional teams (R&D, Sales, Finance, Marketing, Operations) to drive alignment on project priorities, establish realistic timelines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.
• Structured Development Approach: Define and implement clear project milestones and criteria to improve decision-making, prioritization, and resource allocation.
• Change Management: Guide the organization through process transformation, ensuring teams understand and adopt new commercialization methodologies.
• Risk Management: Identify potential roadblocks in the commercialization process and proactively develop solutions to mitigate risks.
• Execution & Accountability: Ensure projects remain on track by monitoring progress, facilitating milestone reviews, and driving accountability within cross-functional teams.
• Market Readiness: Partner with Marketing and Sales to ensure go-to-market strategies align with commercialization plans, including packaging, pricing, and promotional readiness.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze past launches to refine and optimize commercialization processes for future success.