Director of Manufacturing & Commercialization

Position OverviewThe Director of Manufacturing & Commercialization is responsible for leading the successful launch and ongoing performance of products across a network of co-manufacturing partners. This role sits at the intersection of Product Development, Operations, and Supply Chain, driving commercialization, sourcing, and manufacturing strategy.This individual will act as a manufacturing expert and key technical resource, supporting scale-up and troubleshooting, while partnering closely with the Product Development Manager who owns formulation. The focus of this role is execution, co-manufacturer performance, and building a scalable manufacturing network.Key ResponsibilitiesCommercialization & Launch ExecutionLead end-to-end commercialization of new products from pilot through full-scale productionProject manage all new item launches, ensuring timelines, costs, and deliverables are metPartner with the Product Development Manager to support scale-up and ensure manufacturabilityCoordinate plant trials, first productions, and post-launch optimizationCo-Manufacturer Sourcing & ManagementIdentify, evaluate, and onboard new co-manufacturing partners based on capability, capacity, and costBuild and manage strong relationships with co-mans to drive accountability and performanceServe as a key operational and technical partner during trials and productionSupport negotiations around pricing, capabilities, and production requirementsManufacturing StrategyDevelop and execute manufacturing strategies aligned with growth, cost targets, and capacity needsAdvise on equipment capabilities and potential investments to improve efficiency and scalabilityEvaluate trade-offs between co-man vs. internal capabilities where applicableCost, Procurement & EfficiencySupport procurement efforts across ingredients and packaging in partnership with Supply ChainContribute to product costing, margin optimization, and pricing discussions with co-manufacturersIdentify and execute cost-saving opportunities through process improvements and sourcingTechnical Support & TroubleshootingAct as a manufacturing expert to support scale-up and ongoing productionTroubleshoot issues related to yield, throughput, and product performancePartner with co-mans to implement practical, scalable solutionsCross-Functional CollaborationPartner closely with Product Development Manager to ensure smooth handoff to manufacturingCollaborate with Quality to ensure alignment on food safety and compliance standardsWork with Supply Chain on production planning, capacity, and inventory strategyServe as a central connector between internal teams and external manufacturing partnersQualifications8-12+ years of experience in food manufacturing, commercialization, or co-manufacturer managementProven experience sourcing and managing co-manufacturersStrong track record of launching and scaling food productsSolid understanding of food manufacturing processes (frying, baking, forming, freezing, etc.)Experience in frozen or refrigerated CPG strongly preferredExperience with cost modeling, pricing, and procurement supportStrong project management and cross-functional skillsBachelor's degree in Food Science, Engineering, or related field preferredAdditional RequirementsPosition is based out of the New York City officeTravel required up to 50%

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