Senior Manager, Commercialization – Continuous Improvement

Job Description

Job ID

R-108114

Date posted

10/30/2026

Team

Manufacturing

Location

Chicago, IL, US

The Senior Continuous Improvement (CI) Manager for Commercialization is responsible for driving process excellence, operational simplification, and digitalization across the Commercialization Project Management Office (PMO). Serving as a hands-on continuous improvement leader, this role translates PMO strategy into scalable processes, tools, reporting, capabilities, and ways of working that improve commercialization execution, portfolio visibility, and organizational effectiveness.

This role identifies and identifies and prioritizes improvement opportunities, develops and implements practical technology-enabled solutions, and drives cross-functional alignment and adoption. The role combines strategic problem-solving with hands-on execution, delivering measurable improvements in efficiency, governance, data quality, and decision-making.

Job Description

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Lead the identification, prioritization, redesign, and implementation of cross-functional commercialization process improvements to simplify workflows, eliminate non-value-added activities, and improve execution effectiveness. Drive the continuous improvement roadmap for commercialization PMO processes, partnering with functional stakeholders to prioritize initiatives based on business impact, feasibility, and organizational needs.

Maintain and continuously improve Stage-Gate governance documentation, process standards, templates, and playbooks to drive consistency, accountability, and operational efficiency.

Establish baseline performance measures, quantify improvement opportunities, and track the sustained impact of implemented solutions.

Technology, Automation & Digital Enablement

Lead the commercialization and PMO digital enablement and automation roadmap, setting priorities, sequencing, and success measures for technology solutions that reduce manual activities and team administrative demands.

Serve as the accountable owner for the design, development, testing, and deployment and ongoing enhancement of digital automation solutions using Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI), remaining hands-on in configuring and building practical solutions that address commercialization and PMO business needs to reduce manual activities and reduce team administrative demands.

Serve as business owner and primary point of accountability for PMO platforms and associated workflows, including data quality, and user support (Smartsheet, Planview, MS Project); develop and maintain executive dashboards with real-time portfolio visibility.

Lead the evaluation, piloting, and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI and Microsoft Copilot, determine where and how they are applied to improve commercialization processes and team effectiveness.

Serve as the primary commercialization liaison to Digital and IT teams, representing business required and ensuring technology solutions align with enterprise architecture, security requirements, integration standards, and support models.

Insights, Analytics & Reporting

Own PMO reporting and analytics end to end, including reporting standards, data sources, and cadence, serving as the single source of truth for commercialization portfolio performance.

Design, build, and maintain executive dashboards with real-time portfolio visibility, so performance measurement provides accurate, timely, and actional business insights.

Analyze commercialization portfolio and process performance to identify risks, inefficiencies, trends, and improvement opportunities, translating findings into recommendations for PMO and functional leadership.

Own the preparation and delivery of portfolio reporting for weekly, monthly, and quarterly business reviews, ensuring consistency and reliability to support effective prioritization and decision-making.

Training, Communication & Change Adoption

Design and deliver practical training materials, including decks, playbooks, and job aids, for new tools, processes, and governance frameworks. Develop adoption strategies and plans with communication and feedback loops.

Influence and align stakeholders across Commercialization, Marketing, R&D, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and Digital to implement sustainable improvements without direct authority.

Establish feedback mechanisms and adoption measures to evaluate effectiveness, address barriers, and reinforce continuous improvement practices across the organization.

Expected Experience & Required Skills

Bachelors in business, information systems, analytics, operations, engineering or related field, with a minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in continuous improvement, commercialization, project management, process excellence, or digital transformation, preferably within CPG, food & beverage, or adjacent consumer industries.

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to synthesize complex information, develop actionable recommendations, and communicate effectively with senior leadership.

Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and drive organizational change without direct authority.

Ability to independently manage multiple complex initiatives, balance competing priorities, and deliver sustainable improvements in a dynamic business environment.

Hands-on experience leveraging digital tools, workflow automation, and data analytics to simplify business processes, improve reporting, and enable data-driven decision-making.

Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel and PowerPoint, and experience with business intelligence, automation, or project management platforms such as Power BI, PowerApps, Power Automate, Smartsheet, Planview, or MS Project. Ability to design processes for AI readiness and automation.

Experience with Stage-Gate processes, commercialization workflows, or PMO governance preferred.

Lean Six Sigma, PMP, Agile, or Microsoft Power Platform certifications are a plus.

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position operates primarily in a hybrid work environment and is based at Kraft Heinz Headquarters in the Aon Center in downtown Chicago, IL. Our hybrid model provides flexibility based on business needs, allowing employees to work virtually up to two days per week, with an expectation to work on-site at least three days per week at the Kraft Heinz Aon Center.

Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.

New Hire Base Salary Range:

$120,800.00 - $151,000.00

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments

Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training

Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs

Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.