Commercial Operations Manager

Commercial Operations ManagerThe Commercial Operations Manager is responsible for leading the end-to-end commercialization process from initial customer onboarding through post-production review. This role serves as the central point of coordination across Sales, R&D, QA/Regulatory, Operations, and Data, ensuring seamless execution of new product development and ongoing customer programs.This position also owns master data governance, system administration (Deacom ERP), and continuous process improvement initiatives to support scalable growth and operational alignment.Responsibilities and Expectations1. Commercialization & Project LeadershipLead cross-functional execution of new product development from quote through production and post-launch reviewServe as primary point of contact for internal teams throughout stage-gate processManage project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time executionCoordinate with R&D, Sourcing, QA/Regulatory, and Operations to align on product readinessIdentify risks, bottlenecks, and proactively drive resolution2. Customer Onboarding & Commercial SupportOversee customer setup, contract terms, and SKU creation within ERP system (Deacom)Manage quote-to-launch process including:Leadership approvals (go/no-go decisions)Pricing validation and ongoing re-quoting (quarterly/annual)Support customer communication related to artwork approvals, timelines, and product readinessEnsure alignment between customer expectations and internal capabilities3. Stage-Gate Process OwnershipDrive execution across all commercialization phases:Stage Gate 1: Quote, co-manufacturing alignment, and feasibility validationStage Gate 2: R&D coordination, formula and packaging readinessStage Gate 3: BOM setup, specification validation, and QC testing setupStage Gate 4: Artwork approval, PO receipt, and production readinessStage Gate 6: Post-production review and continuous improvement actionsEnsure all required documentation, approvals, and workflows are completed and properly stored4. BOM, Specifications & Data IntegrityLead BOM creation, validation, and system setup for new productsOversee specification development, approval workflows, and documentation storageEnsure accuracy and consistency of product data across systemsPartner with QA/Regulatory to support compliant label and spec review processes5. ERP System Ownership (Deacom – Master User)Serve as primary system owner and subject matter expert for Deacom ERPManage:Customer and item setupCosting updatesSecurity access and user permissionsTroubleshoot system issues across front-end and back-end processesDevelop SOPs and Work Instructions for system usage and data entryLead system enhancements and process improvement initiatives6. Master Data & Process GovernanceOwn and maintain data integrity across all commercialization and product development activitiesImplement and manage change control processes within systems and specificationsMaintain SharePoint and OneNote systems for project and customer documentationEstablish and enforce standardized workflows and best practices7. Cross-Functional Coordination & AccountabilityDrive accountability across teams to ensure timely completion of product development tasksFollow up on outstanding deliverables to maintain project timelinesFacilitate communication between departments to reduce delays and misalignment8. Post-Production & Continuous ImprovementLead post-production reviews to evaluate performance and identify improvement opportunitiesCapture and implement change requests into systems and processesSupport ongoing optimization of commercialization workflowsQualificationsBachelor's degree in Business, Operations, or related field5+ years of experience in commercial operations, project management, or product commercialization (preferably in food/supplement manufacturing)Strong experience with ERP systems (Deacom preferred)Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects in a fast-paced environmentExperience developing SOPs, workflows, and operational processesStrong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skillsWork Environment:This position is on the manufacturing floor almost constantly. Exposure to allergens such as milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soybeans is likely. Abacus