Director of Commercialization

Director of Commercialization

Location: Remote US

Reports to: VP of Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Department: Operations

Travel Requirement: 40–60%

Job Purpose Summary

We are currently seeking a Director of Commercialization to lead how Good Culture manufactures its next generation of products — turning R&D concepts into full-scale production across our network of dedicated and co-manufacturing partner facilities. This is a hands-on leadership role for a proven dairy manufacturing leader — someone who has come up through plant engineering and operations, brings real plant-floor credibility to every conversation, and is ready to build and lead the teams that make new products real.

You will own the end-to-end commercialization of new products and innovation, lead our Engineering and Continuous Improvement teams, spec equipment, and oversee capital installations and improvement projects — while partnering with R&D to pressure-test what is feasible, where, and with whom. As Good Culture invests in new capacity, technology, and innovation on its way toward $1B+, you will build the teams and systems that let us launch new products faster and run our network better — bridging strategy and execution on the work that matters most.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end commercialization of new products and innovation — from R&D handoff and feasibility through line trials, scale-up, and full production launch across dedicated and co-manufacturing facilities.
• Lead and develop Good Culture’s Engineering and Continuous Improvement teams, setting priorities, building capability, and holding the group accountable to standards and timelines.
• Spec new equipment and lead capital installation and improvement projects end-to-end, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget, and to standard.
• Lead the commissioning of new production lines and facilities in support of innovation and network growth.
• Drive continuous improvement across the network — yield, waste, OEE, and cost — building repeatable systems rather than one-off fixes.
• Partner closely with R&D to pressure-test what is feasible, where, and with whom, bringing plant-floor reality into product development decisions early.
• Vet prospective facilities and co-manufacturing partners; build strong, trust-based relationships and hold the line on technical standards and execution.
• Work cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and R&D to move projects and product launches forward on schedule.
• Own the capital and project budget for commercialization, engineering, and continuous improvement work, and report progress to executive leadership.
• Help shape where and how manufacturing and processing work happens across the network as Good Culture scales toward $1B+.

Job Qualifications

• Must have hands-on dairy processing experience with real time spent on the plant floor — cottage cheese and cultured dairy experience strongly preferred, broader cheese-making experience considered; general CPG manufacturing background without dairy processing will not meet the bar.
• 10+ years of progressive plant engineering, manufacturing, and continuous improvement experience, including people leadership.
• Proven track record commercializing new products — taking innovation from concept through line trials and into full-scale production.
• Experience leading Engineering and/or Continuous Improvement teams, with strong command of capital planning, equipment specification, and line or facility commissioning.
• Experience working with (or inside) co-manufacturers; able to drive results through influence and rapport, not just direct authority.
• Thrives in a lean, scrappy, fast-moving environment without big-company infrastructure, and can build process and rigor where none exists yet.
• Strong people leader — builds capable teams, gives direct feedback, handles tension productively, and builds rapport quickly.
• Based in the Chicago area or broader Midwest, with the ability to travel 40–60% of the time.
• Degree in engineering, food science, or dairy science is a plus — but hands-on operators who came up through the ranks are equally welcome.

About Good Culture

We believe that if you eat good things, and surround yourself with good, you’ll feel good. Simple as that. That’s why we decided to create a food company that offers real organic ingredients from trusted sources, promotes good health and tastes great. Our mission is to reinvent the food system, from the (actual) ground up. We are a cultured dairy company that currently makes pasture-raised cottage cheese, rich probiotic sour cream, cream cheese and probiotic milk. We’re looking for some cultured healers!

Good Culture is an equal opportunity employer. At Good Culture we also believe a great culture fosters and values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. We seek individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply for this position. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Good Culture is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.