Commericialization Manager

Job Description

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

The Commercialization Manager acts as Operations and / or QA resource for all approved Tier 1 and Tier 2 New Product Development and Product Maintenance projects at the plant.  Focuses additional efforts on achievement of plant performance metrics through continuous improvement and Lean techniques.  At our Niles, IL facility has proudly served as a cornerstone of Rich’s for over 30 years, specializing in Toppings, Creams, and Culinary Solutions (TCCS). Though compact at just 2 acres, this 24 / 7, 365-day operation punches well above its weight—driving innovation and consistency across our frozen non-dairy portfolio. With five rotating shifts and a non-union workforce, our plant thrives on ownership, agility, and cross-functional excellence.

Key Accountabilities and Outcomes

• Serves as a key member of the plant’s Steering Team and works with team to provide a safe and efficient operation of the plant within the guidelines established by Rich Products and all governmental laws and regulations to include all food safety programs and auditing processes
• Acts as primary point of contact for Operations, Quality, Engineering and R&D as related to NPD and PMP project work
• Participates in weekly NPD and PMP project team meetings as assigned
• Partners with Plant Manager to track overall resource supply and demand for NPD and PMP projects
• Communicates project updates to plant team on a weekly basis; seeks input and assistance from plant Operations, QA, Maintenance and Engineering as needed
• Coordinates pre-trial plant work for Tier 1 projects including systems work (Optiva, QAD, SCADA, SAP), scheduling, materials acquisition, Associate support and internal pre-trial meetings
• Coordinates plant trial execution for Tier 1 projects, including plant trial supervision, internal resource support, data collection, process capability analyses, sample collection and product disposition
• Coordinates post-trial plant work for Tier 1 projects, including systems work (Optiva, QAD, SCADA, SAP), development of SOP’s, Associate training and tracking / report-out of financials
• Supports Tier 2 through scheduling / coordination
• Participates in weekly T&I NPD Cross-functional Review and T&I Project Discussion meetings
• Assists with trial work at other Non-Dairy facilities as needed
• Responsible for driving Continuous Improvement projects (Lean, Process Improvement Teams, Associate Technical Training, etc.) within the plant as they contribute to the achievement of plant metrics
• Participate in and lead Total Productive Manufacturing (TPM) initiatives, including expansion events with plant teams.
• Prepare and communicate post trial reports that cover the trials to Plant
• Personnel, Global Procurement, Marketing, R & D, and other groups at the Corporate Level
• Support several projects from a Process Engineering standpoint
• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

#OpsAC

#LI-LE1

#Womenmfg

COMPENSATION

In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Rich's"), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.

Annual Range / Hourly Rate

$98,824.00 - $148,236.00

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity, standing up for fairness and maintaining a culture of belonging, to provide an exceptional experience for all. We will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Associate Experience Network at hrhelp@rich.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.