Project Manager, Innovation and Commercialization

Cella by Randstad Digital is actively recruiting on behalf of a premier consumer packaged goods (CPG) client to identify a dynamic Brand and Project Manager. This is a critical, time-sensitive contract role focused on driving a major new product commercialization initiative within the North American snacking category. Based out of a downtown Toronto office in a hybrid capacity (three days onsite), you will act as the operational and strategic hub for an integrated, cross-functional team spanning Toronto and Chicago. In this highly visible position, you will shepherd a diverse portfolio of new products through the complete development lifecycle, ensuring alignment, mitigating ambiguity, and delivering impactful results for upcoming market launches.

Advantages
Play a pivotal role in bringing a robust portfolio of new snacking products to the market.

Collaborate closely with a diverse, cross-functional team, including R&D, marketing, sales, and supply chain subject matter experts.

Gain high-level exposure by managing a complex, large-scale commercialization initiative from concept to execution.

Enjoy a flexible hybrid work schedule in a centrally located Toronto office, with occasional travel opportunities to Chicago.

Benefit from potential project extension opportunities tied to successful future business milestones.

Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end project management lifecycle for key product launches, guiding initiatives from initial brief and formula development through to final commercialization.

Serve as the central coordination point across cross-functional teams, including R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, and Sales, to ensure commercialization milestones remain on track.

Develop and maintain detailed project plans and trackers across all assigned launches, proactively identifying timeline risks, bottlenecks, or misalignment before they impact target dates.

Manage product portfolio extensions and adjustments, overseeing system setup, timeline management, and the coordination of sales materials.

Own stage-gate documentation and approval workflows, ensuring thorough completeness and timely sign-off at each critical project milestone.

Facilitate regular meetings with cross-functional partners and marketing teams to align on product development progress, SKU setups, and overarching execution strategies.

Qualifications
Demonstrated experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, with specialized expertise in marketing, commercialization, and new product development lifecycles.

Strong project management foundation with the ability to manage multiple concurrent, complex initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills, capable of building strong relationships and driving results across internal and external teams.

Solid commercial acumen and financial understanding, including previous exposure to P&L management and value chain efficiencies.

Proven ability to navigate stage-gate processes and successfully guide products from concept to execution.

Proficiency in organizing workflows and utilizing core business tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field.

An ideal candidate will bring a blended background, having successfully transitioned between brand management and project management roles.

Summary
If you are an adaptable project leader with a passion for product commercialization and a proven ability to unite cross-functional teams, we want to hear from you. We are actively recruiting for this time-sensitive opportunity, and our client is looking to begin interviews immediately. Please apply promptly by sharing your updated resume, along with a portfolio and/or relevant work samples that highlight your product launch and project management capabilities.

Cella by Randstad Digital uses artificial intelligence to help our recruiters screen, assess and select qualified talent for this role and others within our database. Although Cella by Randstad Digital uses A.I. as a tool, candidate selection and hiring decisions are made by our employees.

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to [email protected] to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.

This posting is for existing and upcoming vacancies.