Who We Are

FedUp Foods, one of the nation's early producers of kombucha through the Buchi brand, and one of the largest functional beverage manufacturers in America, offers a diverse portfolio of organic private label functional beverages for top global retailers.

Position Summary

The Commercialization Project Manager plays a vital role in the Commercialization Department by managing products in development and finished goods change management projects from concept through launch. This role focuses on project executing, coordination, and communication, ensuring projects move forward on time, with clear documentation and alignment across cross-functional teams.

This position partners closely with Product Development, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and external stakeholders to support successful commercialization while following established processes and food safety standards.

An ideal candidate is organized, detail oriented, collaborative, and eager to grow their project management and commercialization expertise within the food and beverage industry.

General Duties/Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Execution

• Leads and manages the planning and execution of commercialization and change management projects under established processes
• Support definition of commercialization project scope, timelines, goals, and deliverables independently using established project templates; collaborate with project leads and senior management when new project types require additional structure
• Create and maintain project agendas, schedules, trackers, and timelines
• Track project milestones, deliverables, and dependencies; escalate risks and delays as needed
• Understand needs and dependencies across impacted departments and teams to help coordinate handoffs and identify potential risks
• Coordinate collection and organization of project documentation (e.g., New Project Opportunity forms, innovation decks, client paperwork, design assets)
• Research and brainstorm solutions to project issues, risks, and roadblocks; present recommendations and escalate as appropriate
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records in project management tools

Cross-Functional & Client Coordination

• Facilitate regular project meetings with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, and document action items
• Track project timelines and communicate project updates, changes, and next steps to internal stakeholders and clients as project types.
• Support alignment between internal teams and external partners throughout the commercialization process
• Help ensure handoffs between departments are clear and timely

Change Management Support

• Support change management activities related to finished goods and product updates
• Track and communicate approved changes to relevant stakeholders
• Identify potential project impacts and escalate concerns to project leadership

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute feedback to improve commercialization tools, templates, and workflows
• Assist with maintaining departmental documentation, knowledge base, and process references
• Develop working knowledge of product development and commercialization processes

Food Safety and Quality Responsibilities:

• Follow GMP policy when in the production facility and encourage your team to do the same.
• Understand our SQF policies relating to pest control, visitors, allergen management, and cleaning and sanitation.
• Demonstrate awareness of Management's Commitment to SQF and work towards Food Safety and Quality and help the company meet this commitment.
• If there is a problem that involves food quality and safety, report to the Quality Assurance Manager so that the CAPA (corrective action, preventative action) log may be filled out, the situation be investigated, and resolved with the goal of continuous improvement of food quality and safety.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of project management principles, including scope definition, scheduling, risk identification, and stakeholder communication and/or awareness to flag critical constraints or possible project derailments; Associate-level project management certification (e.g., PMI-CAPM) a plus
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Asana (preferred), Google Workspace or other relevant platforms
• Basic comfort with math and technical concepts (e.g., volume-to-weight conversions)
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Skilled in meeting and group facilitation, decision-making, and conflict resolution
• Adaptable
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Interest in developing expertise in product development and commercialization
• Ability to communicate effectively synchronously and asynchronously

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Operations, or related field, preferred
• 2-4 years of project management experience in the food or beverage industry required
• Project management certification (PMP, CAPM, or equivalent) a plus, not required

Work Environment/Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Occasional walking through production, warehouse, or office areas
• Exposure to moderate noise levels, manufacturing equipment, temperature variations, and uneven floor surfaces when in production environments
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times
• Eligible to work fully in-person or hybrid; must be located within reasonable driving distance to either the Marshall, NC or Wilmington, NC facility in order to be on-site to support cross-functional teams when needed
• Occasional travel required, up to 10%

Our Values

Agility • Collaboration • Communication • Lifelong Learning • Community • Gratitude

Our Benefits

• Health Insurance (80-90% of individual premium covered)
• Group Term Life Insurance (100% company-covered)
• Short-Term Disability (100% company-covered)
• Long-Term Disability (50% company-covered)
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life & Accident Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• 9 Paid Holidays, PTO & Sick Time

We are committed to fair, equitable, and market-rate compensation. New hire offers that meet the full responsibilities, skills and experience levels expected in this role are typically budgeted around the market midpoint for the role (this role is currently budgeted at $77,300), with final compensation determined based on experience, scope of responsibility, and overall fit. Higher placement within the range is achieved over time through sustained impact and long-term contribution of existing team members.

EEO Statement

AKM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as directed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Please be advised that as part of our employment process, we conduct background checks on all prospective employees. This may include verification of your employment history, educational background, criminal record, and other relevant information.