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Commercialization Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Commercialization Specialist GLENVIEW, IL Overview Salary Range $67,000.00 - $77,000.00 Salary Position Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Description About Us: Finlays Solutions is a ...

Manager, Commercialization

Chicago, IL · On-site

$104K - $130K/yr

* Accountable for KHC's end-to-end commercialization process, from initial concept to successful market launch and post-launch review * Drive stage gate process and decisions on project progress ...

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Commercialization information

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How much do commercialization jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for commercialization in Chicago, IL is $22.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.84 and $25.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is commercialization?

Commercialization is the process of bringing new products or services to market, transforming innovative ideas into viable business offerings. It involves steps such as product development, market research, pricing strategies, marketing, and distribution planning. The goal of commercialization is to generate revenue and achieve business growth by successfully launching and selling the product or service to customers. This process often requires collaboration between research and development, marketing, sales, and operations teams. Effective commercialization ensures that an innovation meets market needs and achieves commercial success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a commercialization role?

To thrive in a Commercialization role, you need a solid background in business strategy, market analysis, and product development, often supported by a degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as CRM systems, market research platforms, and project management software is typically required. Strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, and problem-solving abilities set standout candidates apart. These combined skills are essential for successfully bringing products to market, ensuring alignment across teams, and maximizing business growth.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in commercialization roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in commercialization often encounter challenges such as aligning cross-functional teams, managing market uncertainties, and navigating regulatory requirements. Successfully bringing a product from development to market requires close collaboration with R&D, marketing, legal, and sales teams. To address these challenges, strong project management skills, proactive communication, and early stakeholder engagement are key. It’s also important to stay informed about market trends and regulatory changes to anticipate and mitigate risks effectively.

What is the difference between Commercialization vs Product Manager?

AspectCommercializationProduct Manager
Required credentialsBusiness, marketing, or related degrees; experience in product launchBusiness, marketing, or technical degrees; experience in product development
Work environmentCross-functional teams, marketing, sales, and product developmentProduct teams, engineering, marketing, and sales
Industry usageManufacturing, tech, consumer goods, pharmaceuticalsTech, software, consumer electronics, manufacturing

Commercialization focuses on bringing a product to market, including marketing and sales strategies. Product Managers oversee product development from conception to launch, coordinating teams to ensure product success. While both roles involve market understanding, commercialization emphasizes market entry, whereas product management centers on product lifecycle management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Commercialization jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Commercialization jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Commercialization job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,241 per year, or $22.2 per hour.

Commercialization Manager

Hearthside Food Solutions LLC

Geneva, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago


Hearthside Food Solutions rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

345th of 442 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

Job Summary
The Commercialization Manager manages the end-to-end commercialization process for Maker's Pride products by coordinating internal and external resources, developing and maintaining project timelines, and driving cross-functional alignment from concept through plant trials, first production, and post-launch reviews. This role partners across Operations, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Scheduling, Procurement, R&D, Sales, Finance, Legal, Packaging, Regulatory, customers, and plant teams to ensure project milestones, customer expectations, trial readiness, document accuracy, and launch execution are managed effectively. The position identifies risks, escalates issues, evaluates alternative process, product, and business solutions, and supports continuous improvement through post-trial discussions and 30-60-90 day commercialization reviews. This is a hybrid role; you will work out of our Geneva, IL plant 3-4 days/week and have the ability to work remotely 1-2 days/week after the full training period.
Key Responsibilities
Commercialization & Project Management
  • Manage product commercialization's through detailed project management timelines while continuously working cross-functionally with internal and external partners.
  • Develop and manage project timelines to ensure milestones are met, including taking immediate action with departments that are behind schedule.
  • Manage and execute the steps and stages of the Maker's Pride product lifecycle from commercialization planning through execution.
  • Plan and schedule trials and first productions while keeping milestone tracker tools current and accurate.
  • Communicate updates, risks, and issues upward to leadership and across functions as needed.
  • Evaluate alternative processes, products, and business solutions to support successful commercialization outcomes.

Plant Trials, Customer Alignment & Documentation
  • Support plant trials by facilitating professional communication between customers and the internal Maker's Pride team.
  • Coordinate and oversee plant trial preparations with Operations Managers, ensuring customer expectations are clearly defined.
  • Ensure plant teams manage inbound materials, document preparation, and operational interface requirements.
  • Ensure two-way document accuracy for customer projects and related commercialization activities.
  • Collaborate with customers to ensure plant specifications meet customer expectations.

Cross-Functional Execution & Continuous Improvement
  • Coordinate, oversee, and distribute project information between departments; identify key problem areas, propose solutions, and collaborate with other areas/departments for resolution before finalizing the project timeline.
  • Drive daily engagement, continuous alignment, and oversight of internal cross-functional team deliverables across Operations, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Scheduling, Procurement, R&D, Sales, Finance, Legal, Packaging, and Regulatory to prevent timeline creep.
  • Develop a strong working knowledge of all production lines and the processes necessary to commercialize products across manufacturing facilities.
  • Support Packaging in the development of technical packaging solutions, including film, cases, cartons, and retail-ready displays; work with the internal cross-functional team to plan, roll out, and execute solutions.
  • Facilitate post-trial discussions with key stakeholders to review results, determine next steps, and capture lessons learned.
  • Conduct Commercialization Kaizen events/reviews of commercialized products 30, 60, and 90 days post-launch to improve capabilities and efficiencies.

Supervisory Responsibilities
  • This role does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications
  • Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent food industry experience preferred.
  • Certifications: Project management, continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or related certification preferred.
  • Experience:
    • 5+ years of experience in commercialization, project management, manufacturing operations, product development, or a related field.
    • Prior experience in the food manufacturing industry preferred.
    • Experience managing internal and external customers and adapting through change.
    • Experience working cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Pricing, Procurement, Commercialization, Regulatory, and production teams/processes.
    • Experience supporting product cost understanding and P&L management expectations preferred.
  • Technical Skills:
    • Proficiency with MS Office Suite, SAP, PowerPoint, and presentation tools.
    • Strong SAP skills.
    • Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities in an organized manner.
    • Strong financial skills essential to understanding product cost and P&L management expectations.
    • Strong documentation skills, including the ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
    • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Skills:
    • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
    • Strong leadership, presentation, and negotiation skills.
    • Strong customer service, analytical, and business acumen skills.
    • High attention to detail with the ability to maintain confidentiality.
    • Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and build strong relationships.
    • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
    • Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills under pressure.

The information provided in this document provides an overview of the most common duties, qualifications, and demands of the position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive summary of the role, and the duties, qualifications, and demands of the position are subject to change without notice. The expectations provided here may also be modified if an employee with a disability could effectively meet the expectations for the role with reasonable accommodation.
The pay range for this full-time, salaried position is $110,152 - $151,459/year. Individual base pay depends on work location and additional factors such as experience, job-related skills, and relevant education or training. The position is eligible for a discretionary annual incentive based on company and individual performance. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, 401k and wellness benefits beginning on the first day of employment. This information is provided per the relevant state and local pay transparency laws for the location in which this position will be performed. Base pay information is based on market location.
#LI-JS1 #LI-Hybrid
Maker's Pride is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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