Sr. Manager, Commercialization, Recipe Systems & ...

DescriptionAmazon seeks an experienced Sr. Manager, Commercialization, Recipe Systems & Product Development to lead cross-functional programs driving end-to-end commercialization, recipe management excellence, and product development for our expanding food manufacturing operations. This role combines expertise in food science, manufacturing scale-up, recipe systems management, and regulatory compliance to deliver scalable, high-quality products across our fresh food portfolio. The ideal candidate will translate culinary concepts into commercial-scale manufacturing specifications while ensuring data integrity, quality excellence, and operational efficiency. Key job responsibilities Program Leadership u2022 Develop and execute comprehensive commercialization strategy aligned with business objectives and fresh food manufacturing strategic initiatives u2022 Provide strategic direction and leadership to commercialization, recipe systems, and food science teams, fostering a culture of innovation and operational excellence u2022 Serve as key member of senior leadership team, providing expert guidance on commercialization processes, scale-up strategies, and product launch execution u2022 Partner with cross-functional teams including Operations, Procurement, and Private Brands as needed to ensure seamless product launches u2022 Drive continuous improvement initiatives enhancing commercialization efficiency, recipe accuracy, and time-to-market performance u2022 Contribute to OP1/OP2 narratives and own organizational goals for commercialization excellence and manufacturing readiness Commercialization & Scale-Up Excellence u2022 Lead end-to-end commercialization activities from concept through full commercial production, ensuring product integrity, quality consistency, and manufacturing efficiency u2022 Develop and execute comprehensive commercialization plans including timelines, milestones, resource requirements, risk assessments, and success metrics u2022 Partner with Process Engineering and Operations teams to validate manufacturing processes, equipment capabilities, and production readiness for new products u2022 Conduct scale-up trials from pilot to commercial production, troubleshooting formulation, process, or equipment challenges to ensure successful launches u2022 Create gold standard recipes balancing culinary excellence, nutritional integrity, cost efficiency, and manufacturability at scale as part of commercialization process u2022 Establish commercialization protocols and best practices ensuring consistency and efficiency across all WFM manufacturing facilities u2022 Drive post-launch optimization improving production efficiency, product quality, cost performance, and operational metrics u2022 Lead cross-functional launch readiness reviews ensuring all teams are aligned and prepared for successful product introductions u2022 Manage commercialization pipelines, prioritizing projects based on business impact, resource availability, and strategic alignment Recipe Management Systems & Data Integrity u2022 Establish and maintain robust recipe management systems and protocols ensuring version control, traceability, and data integrity across all platforms u2022 Manage recipe and formulation data within ERP systems, PLM platforms, and recipe management tools ensuring accuracy and consistency u2022 Ensure correct ingredients, yields, nutritional values, and Bill of Materials (BOM) are entered and maintained accurately across all systems u2022 Implement data governance protocols maintaining data integrity, version control, and audit trails for all recipe and compliance documentation u2022 Oversee integration of recipe management systems with manufacturing execution systems (MES) and quality management systems u2022 Develop dashboards and reporting tools tracking commercialization status, recipe performance, and product development metrics u2022 Lead recipe optimization projects improving product quality, reducing costs, or enhancing manufacturability while maintaining culinary standards u2022 Maintain detailed recipe documentation including ingredient specifications, processing instructions, yield calculations, and critical control points u2022 Work with Tech teams to build automated validation systems detecting errors, inconsistencies, or non-compliance in recipe data Shelf Life Validation & Product Stability u2022 Design and execute comprehensive shelf life studies for new and existing products, establishing scientifically based expiration dates u2022 Develop accelerated and real-time shelf-life testing protocols evaluating microbiological, chemical, physical, and sensory stability u2022 Oversee all interactions with external laboratories for shelf life testing, nutritional analysis, and product validation u2022 Analyze shelf life data and make recommendations for formulation improvements, packaging modifications, or storage conditions supporting commercialization decisions u2022 Maintain accurate documentation of all shelf life studies and validation results in compliance with regulatory requirements u2022 Partner with Quality and Packaging teams to optimize product shelf life through formulation and packaging innovations during commercialization u2022 Create predictive models for shelf life performance based on formulation characteristics and storage conditions Food Science & Quality Excellence u2022 Apply food science principles to optimize product formulations, improve nutritional profiles, and enhance sensory characteristics during commercialization u2022 Lead sensory evaluation programs ensuring products meet high standards for taste, texture, appearance, and overall culinary excellence u2022 Investigate and resolve product quality issues related to formulation, ingredient functionality, or processing parameters u2022 Drive innovation in ingredient selection, processing technologies, and formulation strategies enhancing product quality and manufacturability u2022 Ensure all recipes meet food safety requirements including HACCP principles, allergen management, and regulatory compliance u2022 Lead ingredient functionality studies understanding performance characteristics and optimizing recipe formulations for scale u2022 Develop quality performance metrics identifying improvement opportunities to enhance product quality and consistency Research & Development u2022 Lead R&D initiatives developing new products, improving existing formulations, and exploring innovative ingredients or technologies supporting commercialization goals u2022 Conduct ingredient and process research supporting product development objectives and addressing technical challenges u2022 Stay current with food science research, emerging ingredients, clean label trends, and consumer preferences u2022 Evaluate new ingredients, processing equipment, and technologies for potential application in manufacturing operations u2022 Partner with suppliers and industry experts to access cutting-edge food science knowledge and capabilities u2022 Build innovation pipelines supporting long-term business growth and competitive differentiation u2022 Drive proof-of-concept studies validating new technologies or ingredients before full-scale commercialization Regulatory Compliance & Nutrition Management u2022 Ensure all commercialized products comply with FDA and USDA nutritional labeling regulations, including Nutrition Facts Panel requirements and ingredient declarations u2022 Oversee accuracy of nutritional information, allergen statements, and regulatory-required labeling as part of commercialization documentation u2022 Maintain expertise in relevant food regulations and ensure commercialization processes incorporate compliance requirements u2022 Partner with Regulatory teams to address compliance issues and maintain certification standards throughout commercialization lifecycle u2022 Monitor regulatory changes affecting product formulations and labeling across all operating regions u2022 Conduct impact assessments for new or revised regulations and develop compliance implementation plans u2022 Manage relationships with regulatory agencies and industry associations Stakeholder Management & Collaboration u2022 Partner with Procurement and Sourcing teams ensuring ingredient specifications support both recipe requirements and commercialization timelines u2022 Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams aligning product specifications, testing protocols, and compliance standards for product launches u2022 Work closely with Manufacturing Operations ensuring recipes are executable, efficient, and produce consistent results at scale u2022 Support Marketing and Commercialization teams with product claims substantiation, competitive analysis, and product positioning u2022 Engage with Packaging teams ensuring label accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with recipe specifications u2022 Coordinate with Supply Chain teams on ingredient availability, lead times, and inventory management supporting launch schedules u2022 Build consensus across stakeholders including directors and VPs on commercialization priorities and trade-offs u2022 Communicate progress, challenges, and outcomes through narratives, presentations, and status reports Training & Team Development u2022 Develop comprehensive training programs on commercialization processes, scale-up methodologies, recipe systems, and food science fundamentals u2022 Provide coaching and mentoring to team members, promoting their professional development and technical expertise u2022 Recruit, train, and manage high-performing team of food scientists, commercialization specialists, and recipe developers u2022 Foster culture of continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration across product development organization u2022 Drive comprehensive training plans for operational excellence ensuring manufacturing teams understand and execute commercialized recipes consistently Basic Qualifications- Experience influencing senior leaders/stakeholders - u2022 Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Chemistry, or related scientific field - u2022 10+ years of progressive experience in food manufacturing with demonstrated success leading commercialization and scale-up projects from concept through commercial production - u2022 7+ years leading complex, cross-functional commercialization programs across multiple locations or product lines - u2022 Proven track record managing complex commercialization initiatives in food manufacturing environments, including multiple successful product launches - u2022 Deep expertise in commercialization processes, manufacturing scale-up, and production readiness activities - u2022 Strong understanding of food science principles including ingredient functionality, processing effects, and product stability - u2022 Demonstrated experience managing shelf life validation programs and interpreting analytical data - u2022 Proficiency with recipe management systems, ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle, or similar), PLM systems, and data management tools - u2022 Experience with GFSI-certified food safety systems (SQF, BRCGS, FSSC 22000) and regulatory compliance requirements - u2022 Excellent project management skills with ability to manage multiple complex commercialization initiatives simultaneously - u2022 Experience writing technical documentation, regulatory submissions, narratives, and presenting to senior leadership - u2022 Strong analytical skills with experience building performance dashboards and interpreting commercialization dataPreferred Qualifications- Knowledge of Six Sigma tools, Lean techniques, PMP or similar standards preferred - u2022 Master's degree or PhD in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field - u2022 Certified Food Scientist (CFS) credential or Registered Dietitian (RD) - u2022 Experience in fresh food manufacturing, prepared foods, or retail food production environments - u2022 Knowledge of organic certification, Non-GMO verification, and specialty dietary requirements - u2022 Familiarity with sensory science methodologies and statistical analysis tools - u2022 Background in building and launching new food manufacturing facilities - u2022 Experience with advanced PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems and commercialization workflow tools - u2022 Track record implementing scalable commercialization mechanisms reducing time-to-market - u2022 Experience with machine learning or AI applications for recipe optimization or quality prediction - u2022 Understanding of supply chain operations and vendor management systems - u2022 Experience managing vendor relationships with ingredient suppliers, co-manufacturers, and testing laboratories - u2022 Knowledge of Codex Alimentarius standards and international food regulations - u2022 Experience in high-volume, fast-paced retail food environments Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit for more information. If the country/region youu2019re applying in isnu2019t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at . USA, TX, Austin - 157,100.00 - 212,600.00 USD annually

Created: 2026-01-29