Commercial Product Manager – Dairy Proteins

Commercial Product Manager – Dairy Proteins

Department:
Purchasing, Distribution

Location:

Itasca, IL

Type:
Full-time

The Commercial Product Manager is responsible for the overall performance of a product portfolio, focused on driving sustainable and profitable growth for the business. The role leads the design and execution of the product strategy, portfolio management, and pricing strategy. It works cross‑functionally across ingredient distribution and value‑added manufacturing and is customer‑facing.

• Define and execute product line strategies and tactics, building on global, regional, and local category strategies
• Lead development and execution of the product line strategy vision, ensuring prioritization and communication across the organization
• Conduct analysis on the current business to identify the best business model for growth
• Compile competitor intelligence and incorporate learnings into platform management
• Ensure all dealings are with vendors providing high‑quality products and services while following the highest code of ethics and conduct
• Drive profitability through pricing strategy and margin management; own break‑even points, target margins, and price banding
• Set product line pricing strategy, including floor pricing and target pricing for individual SKUs
• Create a business plan to identify targets (growth rate, revenue, contribution margin, gross profit criteria)
• Work and travel with the sales team as the product and market expert on the portfolio
• Optimize the SKU‑level product portfolio, making choices about new SKU commercialization and SKU rationalization
• Participate in the cross‑functional team to realize optimization potential across the value chain
• Manage commodity dairy spend across distribution and value‑add manufacturing, running positions with cross‑team collaboration
• Maintain product inventory at appropriate levels and monitor costs and inventory levels
• Maintain a minimum designated turn for all items in the portfolio
• Eliminate excess and overstock inventories
• Other duties may be assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field with a minimum of 10+ years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 2–3 years of dairy trading or ingredient brokering (highly preferred) or 5–6 years of product management experience in the food ingredient space

• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to prioritize projects based on business opportunity
• Strong action orientation, self‑starter, and ability to work independently
• Analytical, detail‑oriented, and comfortable discussing technical details
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
• Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage and influence others and thrive in a team environment
• Excellent customer service–orientated skills
• Strong time‑management skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and
• Familiarity or aptitude for ERP systems (preferred)

Up to 40% travel

• Ability to lift up to 10 lbs
• Work environment is normally in an office setting
• Ability to view a computer screen and type for extended hours
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to adjust work schedule as business needs require

All employees must comply with food safety, food defense, and food quality standards (FDA, ILDPH, FSMA, BRC). Employees must also comply with OSHA regulations and company‐issued safety standards.

Competitive Pay – $130,000 to $165,000 annually (experience, education, geographic location and shift considered)

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Employer‑paid STD and LTD
• HSA and FSA
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• PTO
• Employer‑paid Basic Life Insurance
• 401(k) & Roth with employer match
• Eight Paid Holidays + 3 Floating Holidays
• Voluntary - Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident
• Personal growth opportunities including training and development

Prinova is committed to providing equal opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, creed, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, medical leave, marital status, citizenship status, ancestry, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, Civil Air Patrol status, or any other characteristic or group status protected under applicable law.