Associate Director, Commercialization

The Project Execution AD role is an Aon-based Project Management leadership position residing within the Operations organization. This is a role for someone who craves a challenge balanced by the desire to be accountable for delivering against large projects in the largest zone in Kraft Heinz.

The successful candidate will spearhead the strategy and execution of product commercialization to help deliver the goals of each KHC business unit. The primary responsibilities will be driving the successful delivery of the North America Zones portfolio of project initiatives.

The role requires strong and effective leadership extending across multiple functional areas aligning efforts between R&D marketing sales finance and supply chain teams to ensure that each launch or product change is seamlessly executed and thrives in market. Proven communication collaboration & influencing skills are critical for the candidates success and to realize Kraft Heinzs long-term strategic commitments.

The AD commercialization will lead a diverse team of Project Managers and be responsible for the development of their project management skills to build a highly talented execution team.

• Accountable for KHCs end-to-end commercialization process from initial concept to successful market launch and post-launch review
• Monitor and communicate project risk to executive teams while supporting the development of mitigation strategies
• Leading and driving action in Portfolio Management Review meetings providing analytics and KPI reports to leadership teams
• Build a best-in-class project management team with the skills and mindset to enable KHCs strategic plans
• Lead cross-functional leadership across R&D Marketing Operations Procurement Quality to innovate on execution processes to improve our speed to market timing
• Strengthen the quality operational technical rigor within the KHC commercialization processes leading to improved in-market success
• Collaborate with PMO counterparts internally and externally to enhance our project management systems identifying and utilizing industry leading tools as well as strengthening KHCs portfolio management capabilities
• Support the optimization of KHCs governance processes and lead the Stage Gate process for a specific area

• 8 years Managing Commercialization Projects or Project Teams
• 8 years people leadership
• Proven experience in product development and commercialization preferably in the CPG or food & beverage industry with PMP Certification or similar preferred
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills able to lead and motivate teams across different departments and levels
• Successfully negotiate with stakeholders and team members to arrive at mutually beneficial solutions
• Growth mindset with a passion for continuous learning to applying new knowledge to improve project outcomes
• Strong Business Acumen understanding the unique economic factors motivating brand and category strategy
• Exceptional communication skills capable of leading conversations for both internal teams and external partners
• Proven analytical skills leveraging data driven analysis to develop solutions and implementing change within an organization

Role will travel 10% of the time. Additionally this role requires 5 days/week with hybrid flexibility to work remote 3 days/week.