Commercialization Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Commercialization Project Manager

Location: Knoxville, TN
Hire Type: Direct Hire, Onsite
Target Compensation : $145,000 base salary + annual bonus

Travel: Est. 10–20% (mostly local)

Benefits: Full employee benefits, company-funded pension plan, relocation assistance

Job Summary:

Sterling Engineering is partnering with to hire a Commercialization Project Manager to lead new product commercialization projects from concept through market launch. This role serves as the project leader for cross-functional teams responsible for bringing new products from development into full-scale manufacturing. You'll manage the entire product lifecycle, partnering with Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and ready for successful launch. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced project manager who enjoys leading complex initiatives, driving continuous improvement, and collaborating across multiple business functions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Must Have Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical discipline
• 8+ years of project management and product commercialization experience within manufacturing
• Experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI) or commercialization projects from concept through launch
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Experience with Stage-Gate product development processes
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or similar project management software
• Preferred:
• Food & Beverage or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturing experience

Job Duties:

• Lead cross-functional commercialization projects through the full product lifecycle, from concept development to commercial launch.
• Develop and manage project plans, schedules, milestones, budgets, and critical path activities.
• Coordinate Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales teams to ensure project success.
• Drive manufacturing readiness, pilot production, process scale-up, and production launch activities.
• Identify project risks, develop mitigation strategies, and resolve issues that impact project timelines or objectives.
• Facilitate Stage-Gate reviews and communicate project status to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to ensure successful knowledge transfer and operational readiness.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen commercialization processes and project execution.
• Travel 10–20% to manufacturing facilities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Food Science, or related technical field (required)
• 8+ years of experience in project management, commercialization, engineering, or manufacturing
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional projects in a manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, commercialization, and product launch processes
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Food manufacturing experience strongly preferred
• PMP certification
• Lean Six Sigma or Continuous Improvement certification

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.