Sr. Commercialization Project Manager- Large accounts

Sr. Commercialization Project Manager

Ventura Foods is seeking a customer-facing supply leader to provide expertise, drive cost avoidance, accelerate product commercialization, and build confidence as a trusted supplier. This role involves proactive supply chain assessments to enhance efficiencies and act as an internal translator of national account needs to the Ventura supply chain.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

Drive Speed to Market:

• Act as a critical team member supporting the Sales Project Commercialization System (PCS) to accelerate project delivery.
• Provide guidance on complex initiatives and drive speed-to-market execution excellence to enhance customer experience.
• Contribute as a center of excellence to execute projects and deliver optimal outcomes, including margin enhancement, cost optimization, and customer initiatives.
• Actively participate in monthly PCS review meetings, pre-production handoff discussions, and customer-facing calls for subject-matter support.

Center Of Excellence Resource:

• Provide subject matter expertise and serve as a center of excellence resource for the Sales team across Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.

Forecasting and Inventory Management:

• Provide expert oversight and support within the forecasting and inventory planning process to ensure alignment between customer demand, supply capabilities, and contractual commitments.
• Support the Sales Manager by providing informed recommendations based on demand trends, supply constraints, and customer requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with Sales, Supply Chain, and Operations to manage the depletion of raw materials and finished goods associated with discontinued SKUs, minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.

Limited Time Offer (LTO) Inventory Management:

• Provide subject-matter expertise in inventory planning for LTO customer commitments, including ramp-up planning and demand alignment with Operations, Demand & Supply Chain Planning teams.
• Coordinate these activities on behalf of the Sales Manager to support successful LTO launches.

Lead Cost Savings Opportunities:

• Proactively identify, communicate, and help lead cost savings opportunities through strategic collaboration with Sales Manager, Customer, and internal stakeholders such as Supply Chain and Revenue Management.

Crisis Management Support:

• Proactively communicate with Sales and customers regarding anticipated disruptions or significant supply issues, including root cause and resolution plans.
• Lead overall crisis management communications for complex or high-impact supply situations.
• Help train the National Account team on strategies to overcome supply chain challenges and operational barriers.
• Present updates during monthly team meetings on process or system enhancements, supply changes, or operational updates impacting Sales Managers.

Customer Account Support & Advocacy:

• Ensure continuity for customers with communication, project execution, and overall support during transition periods.
• Act as the internal advocate and voice of the customer in cross-functional project discussions, ensuring customer priorities are represented in operational planning and decision-making.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to implement process improvements and enhancements that support customer success and operational efficiency.

Additional Responsibilities As Assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in sales, marketing, Supply Chain, Project Management, or customer service, preferably in the food service/retail foodservice industry, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge And Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication and collaboration skills, both internally and externally.
• Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), CRM applications (Salesforce), and other business systems.
• Strong time management, organizational, and multitasking skills, with the ability to meet short deadline constraints.
• Proactive, resourceful, and adaptable work ethic, with the ability to work autonomously while evaluating and solving complex business issues.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical problem-solving, and project management skills, with an aptitude for investigation, research, and quick resolutions.
• Strong decision-making skills to meet deadlines and achieve successful results.

Why Join Us:

Ventura Foods innovates and manufactures food solutions for foodservice and retail businesses, creating exclusive products for iconic restaurants and retailers, providing ready-to-go solutions for professional kitchens, and making well-known consumer brands. We offer a strong foundation of training, supportive management, a safe environment, and challenging work. Your future at Ventura Foods is limited only by your ambition, as we invest in your growth. We offer career growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and benefits including Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision coverage from day one, Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays, and Employee Appreciation Events and Assistance Programs. The salary range is $95,234.65 - $148,795.48 annually, plus a potential annual bonus.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Ventura Foods is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees are treated with respect. We believe fostering inclusion and diversity attracts top talent, drives innovation, and meets customer expectations. Ventura Foods is an equal opportunity employer.

Key skills/competency

• Project Management
• Supply Chain Expertise
• Customer Relationship Management
• Sales Operations
• Forecasting
• Inventory Management
• Cost Savings
• Crisis Management
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Product Commercialization