Benefits
We are delighted to offer a comprehensive benefits package that encompasses Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Insurance, Vacation, Holiday Pay, Personal Time Off (PTO), and a 401(k) plan with a company match. Eligibility and waiting periods may apply.
Department
Location: Ice Cream Plant City: Jerome State/Territory: Idaho Reports To: Ice Cream Business Manager Employment Status: Full time Shifts: FLSA Status: # of openings: 1
Position Summary
The Commercialization Manager, Ice Cream is responsible for owning the end-to-end commercialization process for new customer and product launches within the ice cream manufacturing business. This role serves as the primary connector between Sales, Customer Service, R&D, QA, Procurement, Finance, Demand Planning, Operations, and customers to ensure opportunities are transitioned into clear, executable launch plans. Unlike a traditional sales role, this position focuses less on transactional selling and more on customer onboarding, launch readiness, project execution, cross-functional accountability, and successful transition from customer commitment through first production and post-launch handoff. This role leverages strong project management, communication, problem-solving, and customer-facing skills to support scalable growth of the ice cream business.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
General Purpose:- Own commercialization for new ice cream customers, products, packaging formats, and SKU launches from commitment through first production and post-launch handoff.
- Translate customer requirements, timelines, risks, and deliverables into clear action plans for Sales, Customer Service, R&D, QA, Procurement, Operations, Demand Planning, and Finance.
- Serve as the central project owner for launch readiness, cross-functional accountability, and alignment between customer expectations and plant execution.
- Lead commercialization projects, launch meetings, stage-gate trackers, timelines, milestones, and action-item ownership.
- Coordinate trials, packaging and artwork readiness, specifications, documentation, ingredient and packaging availability, costing inputs, production readiness, and customer updates.
- Monitor progress, mitigate launch risks, elevate roadblocks, and keep projects on time and within scope.
- Serve as a key point of contact during onboarding, commercialization, trials, first production, and transition to routine execution.
- Partner with Sales, Business Development, Customer Service, R&D, QA, Procurement, Demand Planning, Finance, and Operations to define expectations, resolve issues, and improve the customer experience.
- Provide regular updates to leadership on launch status, readiness, project risks, resource needs, and key milestones.
- Develop and improve tools, templates, stage-gate processes, trackers, and best practices for scalable ice cream commercialization.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Education:- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Food Science, Engineering, Project Management, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred.
- 3–7 years of experience in food commercialization, project management, customer onboarding, food manufacturing, or sales support. Ice cream or CPG experience preferred.
- Experience managing cross-functional projects, product launches, customer initiatives, manufacturing start-up activities, or contract manufacturing support preferred.
- Strong project management, organization, communication, documentation, and follow-up skills.
- Ability to manage multiple launches, priorities, timelines, risks, and changing business needs.
- Ability to build relationships and drive accountability across commercial, technical, operations, quality, procurement, finance, demand planning, and customer service teams.
- Analytical problem-solver with sound decision-making, risk management, reporting, and customer-facing capabilities.
- Ability to work in an office and manufacturing plant environment.
- Ability to walk production areas and stand for extended periods.
- Ability to use stairs and ladders as needed.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Subject to office and plant conditions.
- Exposure to production noise, cold rooms, freezer areas, and moving equipment.
- Occasional indoor and outdoor environmental exposure based on business needs.
Commercialization Manager - Ice Cream in jerome at Unknown Company
This position is listed as contract and onsite.