Bush Brothers & Company Job Description Job IdentificationPosition TitleCommercializerLocationKnoxvilleJob FamilyEngineer SpecialistLast Updated07/12/2026Strategic GroupSupply ChainDepartmentEngineeringReports ToDirector of Commercialization, Engineering & Product DevelopmentNumber of Direct Reports0  SummaryThe Commercializer at Bush Brothers is a project leader responsible for driving new products from concept through commercialization. This role leads cross-functional teams through the complete product development lifecycle, including benchtop development, pilot production, full-scale manufacturing, and market launch. The Commercializer ensures successful execution of projects by applying project management best practices, adhering to stage-gate requirements, and managing timelines, risks, resources, and stakeholder alignment. The role partners closely with R D, Operations, Quality, Logistics, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Marketing, and Sales teams to deliver products that meet technical, operational, financial, and customer expectations. The successful candidate is a self-directed leader who excels at enabling cross-functional teams to achieve objectives and milestones. Major Position ResponsibilitiesIt is an essential requirement of the job that the employee can function in a feedback-rich, team-based environment. Employees must be able to have dialogue with both technical and non-technical roles Employees must possess good interpersonal skills and be compatible with co-workers.

ESSENTIAL 50

%Project Management Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, milestones, and critical path activities to ensure successful project execution. Drive accountability across project teams to achieve project objectives, timelines, and business commitments. Identify project risks, develop mitigation plans, and proactively resolve issues that may impact scope, schedule, cost, or quality. Coordinate and communicate project priorities, decisions, and progress with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Lead regular project meetings, ensuring clear action plans, ownership, and follow-up of key deliverables. Monitor project performance and provide timely updates on status, risks, and opportunities to leadership. Manage change requests and ensure project scope remains aligned with business objectives. 40%Commercialization Lead cross-functional project teams through all phases of the commercialization process, from concept development through launch. Serve as the primary liaison between Research & Development, Supply Chain, Operations, and Business teams, ensuring alignment on project plans, risks, and readiness throughout the commercialization process. Facilitate stage-gate reviews and ensure completion of required deliverables, approvals, and readiness criteria. Partner with technical and operational teams to evaluate manufacturing capabilities, process feasibility, and production readiness. Ensure commercialization activities comply with quality, regulatory, and food safety requirements. Facilitate the transition of products from development to operations through effective knowledge transfer and launch planning, including comanufacturing relationships and agreements. Drive continuous improvement of commercialization processes, tools and practices. 10% Misc. Participate as a consultant and advisor in ideation activities as needed Other duties as assigned

SUPPLEMENTAL

Initiatives with other internal customers: Innovation, Project Managers, Sales, Marketing, Logistics, Procurement, Quality, Food Safety, Regulatory and Plant Quality and Operational Teams QualificationsDegrees Bachelor's degree in engineering, food science, supply chain or related technical discipline required. Years of Experience 8+ years of relevant work experience in product commercialization, project management, and manufacturing consumer-packaged goods (Food & Beverage preferred) Certifications/Licenses (preferred) Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification Project management professional (PMP) Familiarity with food safety and preventative controls Expected to successfully complete Better Process Control School Specialized Skills Systems and process thinking, technical and business writing skills, clear and concise presentation and communication abilities. Highly collaborate and results oriented in both a corporate and plant environment. Foundational understanding of statistical process control, manufacturing operations, scale-up processes, financial acumen, and commercialization methodologies. Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. Experience with project management software and business process improvement tools. Comfortability utilizing MS Project, navigating a stage-gate innovation process. Workplace ConditionsAbility to work 40 hours per week and as needed. Office This job primarily operates in a professional office environment, however, it is expected to work in manufacturing environments as job duties necessitate. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, tablets, photocopiers, etc. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Employee must be able to work in a plant environment for extended periods of time. Non-Office Percent of Time over a Year Physical Demands>20%20-40%40-70%>70%Seeing????Speaking (including phone)????Hearing (including phone)????Few exception demands; office????Climbing, carrying, pushing, pulling????Reach below knee, above shoulder, or above head????Bend, twist, turn, squat, kneel????Heavy physical effort???? If lifting, up to 40 pounds????Standing????Walking????Sitting????Manual dexterity, operate power tools, repetitive wrist, one hand work only????Intense visual concentration???? If lifting/carrying/heavy physical effort is required, indicate date candidate demonstrated ability:

FORMTEXT

 Any accomodation requested:

FORMTEXT

 

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Job Code

FORMTEXT

 Job Title

FORMTEXT

 Position Code

FORMTEXT

 Comp Code(s)Reward Plan Level

FORMTEXT

 

FLSA Classification:

 

FORMCHECKBOX

 Exempt 

FORMCHECKBOX

 Non-Exempt

Job Title:

Commercialization Project ManagerLocation:

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 Bush Brothers & Company 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.