Company Overview:
Chewters Chocolates is a fast-growing, premium North American chocolate manufacturer redefining how modern food manufacturing is built and scaled. Privately owned, well-capitalized, and founder-led, we operate at the intersection of branded CPG, contract manufacturing, innovation, and sustainability — with the freedom to invest long-term and do things the right way.
In the past year alone, we have:
- Scaled from one manufacturing site to three
- Expanded our brand portfolio, including the mission-driven Endangered Species Chocolate
- Invested heavily in new capacity, automation, and enterprise-grade systems
- Begun construction on a next-generation manufacturing campus in Rockwall, Texas
Our manufacturing footprint includes:
- Delta, British Columbia – 60,000 sq. ft. fully automated, SQF Level 3 flagship
- Indianapolis, Indiana – 35,000 sq. ft. facility, home of Endangered Species Chocolate
- Rockwall, Texas – 225,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution complex opening in 2026
We are now entering the most important phase of our growth: institutionalizing excellence. This is the shift from growth powered by heroics to growth powered by systems, discipline, and repeatability.
The Role:
The Commecialization Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and executing branded innovation as well as all contract manufacturing projects . This role ensures that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and in compliance with quality and regulatory standards. The Commercialization Project Manager will lead cross-functional teams to drive new product development, trials, and launches from concept through commercialization.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Management
- Oversee PM function, helping ensure all projects are given detailed timelines, added to weekly discussions and all necessary internal follow-ups are tracked.
- Develop and manage all project plans, timelines, and milestones
- Track progress, prepare updates, and escalate risks or delays to leadership.
- Facilitate weekly project meetings with cross-functional teams (R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Sales).
Innovation Strategy
- Track consumer trends, category insights, and ingredient innovations to inform project pipeline
- Develop pipeline of innovation concepts and prepare business cases (timelines, costs, critical paths) to support category and customer needs.
- Plan launches to meet business objectives, testing with key customers and rolling out national launches on schedule.
- Coordinate preparation of materials to support new product introductions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
R&D / Product Development
- Translate innovation concepts into R&D prototypes, coordinate lab trials and scale-up testing, and prepare for tasting panel/customer review.
- Facilitate R&D planning and cross-functional discussions (costing, trials, priorities) to ensure alignment and remove roadblocks
- Manage technical documentation to support food safety, regulatory compliance, and customer requirements.
Contract Manufacturing Oversight
- Act as the primary liaison for contract manufacturing partners, coordinating schedules, production trials, and commercialization activities.
- Ensure successful transfer of product formulations from R&D into commercial-scale production.
- Monitor production performance, troubleshoot issues, and escalate as needed.
- Track budgets, costs, and deliverables for all co-manufacturing projects.
Candidate Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, supply chain, business admin, or a related field; MBA preferred
- Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in project management within food manufacturing, CPG, or contract manufacturing.
- Effective cross-functional leadership skills effective with both in-person and remote team members
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Effective communicator with strong interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with R&D, innovation, or product development teams preferred.
- Knowledge of food safety, regulatory, and quality standards (Canada and U.S.) is an asset.
- Proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, or similar).
- Strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- How many years of experience do you have in Project Management?
Education:
Location:
- Rockwall, TX 75032 (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
