What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commercialization Specialist position at KLN Family Brands?
Commercialization Specialist – Tuffy’s Pet Foods
Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM M-TH and 7:00AM - 11:00AM F
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Compensation
In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands paid out over $7.7 million in profit-sharing to our employees!!!
Our Story
KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.
At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”
Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.
What We Are Looking For
We’re now hiring a Commercialization Specialist for Tuffy’s Pet Foods, based in Perham, MN. The pet food market is extremely dynamic and competitive. At Tuffy’s Pet Foods, we heavily rely on new product development to grow our own brands and support the customers whose brands we produce alongside our own. Our continued growth and success is reliant upon our ability to efficiently launch products that meet quality expectations for our retailers, customers, and consumers of our products.
We operate in an extremely dynamic and competitive space. In order to meet business objectives, the Commercialization Specialist is responsible for the timely completion of new product development projects as well as supporting changes to existing products within our branded portfolio. This position serves as project lead for the cross-functional teams while providing support/clarification for changes to existing products/packaging by leading team meetings, facilitating issue resolution, and supporting collaboration efforts across the business. The work of the Commercialization Specialist is vital in order to ensure predictable, consistent, and successful outcomes for every project.
Essential Duties
Experience And Skills Required
Experience in and/or exposure to a manufacturing environment is preferred.
One to three years of recent experience leading cross-functional projects and demonstrating:
Hours: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM M-TH and 7:00AM - 11:00AM F
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Compensation
- All in compensation: $45,000 to $75,000
- Base Pay: $45,000 to $60,000
- Year one Bonus: up to $15,000 throughout year 1
- Profit Sharing Eligibility: Begins after completing 1 year of employment ($7.7 Million in Profits Paid to Profit Sharing Pool in 2025)
In our most recent fiscal year, KLN Family Brands paid out over $7.7 million in profit-sharing to our employees!!!
Our Story
KLN Family Brands is a 3rd generation family-owned business that started in 1964 with its corporate headquarters located in Perham, MN, in the heart of MN lakes country. Together, our companies manufacture a diverse and expanding range of high-quality human and pet food products.
At KLN Family Brands, our vision is that “We are a proud people-first company. We are successful because of trust-based relationships and first-rate products for our families and friends. We better the world by caring for others. We challenge. We grow. We inspire.”
Some companies have to “fudge the story” a little. Some need the extra “spin” to shine a positive light on themselves. That’s not who we are at KLN Family Brands, and that’s not what we do. We tell the story of our brand – our people, the quality of our products, our spirit & moxie, our tradition, and the way we treat our community & beyond. We do it in a genuine way because we genuinely believe we’re a pretty amazing company.
What We Are Looking For
We’re now hiring a Commercialization Specialist for Tuffy’s Pet Foods, based in Perham, MN. The pet food market is extremely dynamic and competitive. At Tuffy’s Pet Foods, we heavily rely on new product development to grow our own brands and support the customers whose brands we produce alongside our own. Our continued growth and success is reliant upon our ability to efficiently launch products that meet quality expectations for our retailers, customers, and consumers of our products.
We operate in an extremely dynamic and competitive space. In order to meet business objectives, the Commercialization Specialist is responsible for the timely completion of new product development projects as well as supporting changes to existing products within our branded portfolio. This position serves as project lead for the cross-functional teams while providing support/clarification for changes to existing products/packaging by leading team meetings, facilitating issue resolution, and supporting collaboration efforts across the business. The work of the Commercialization Specialist is vital in order to ensure predictable, consistent, and successful outcomes for every project.
Essential Duties
- Project Management
- Utilize Tuffy’s ERP system (IFS) to manage project workflow within the new product process
- Drive projects to timely completion through supporting team collaboration, ensuring accuracy of system data and clearly communicating changing timelines and priorities
- Lead/participate in project meetings
- Ensure key project info/documentation is captured according to standard process (i.e. pricing, dielines, formula, timelines, etc…)
- Provide local SME support for new product and change management processes
- Support production trials and commissioning runs as needed
- Meet with key stakeholders to evaluate project briefs, ensuring projects align with site capabilities
- Support and/or lead other aspects of commercialization as needed including (but not limited to):
- Data management
- Stage-gate business governance
- PM support for any given functional area
- Other
- Represent the company in a positive and professional manner
- Travel between Perham (KLN / Tuffy’s / Kenny’s) and Delano (Tuffy’s Treats) as required
- Support internal team (i.e. Sales, R&D, Operations, Finance) to improve overall operational effectiveness on an as-needed basis.
- Other duties as assigned in order to accomplish business and team goals
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education
Experience And Skills Required
Experience in and/or exposure to a manufacturing environment is preferred.
One to three years of recent experience leading cross-functional projects and demonstrating:
- Project Management
- Knowledge of and experience in project management processes and methodologies
- Strong process, organizational, project management and time management skills
- Ability to identify project obstacles, proactively mitigate risks and escalate and resolve issues effectively
- Computer/Technical
- Proficiency in MS Office software – Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook
- Proficiency in MS Project or other Gantt chart based software.
- Ability to learn and navigate through company ERP system (IFS experience ideal)
- Communication
- Facilitation and presentation skills – large and small groups
- Strong inter-personnel skills to interact with many cross-functional teams to accomplish objectives
- Clear and effective communication with peers and management across the business and others with whom, the position interacts
- Ways of Working
- Good organizational skills including the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities
- Self-motivating and ability to work independently
- Excellent judgment and reasoning abilities
- Ability to adapt to a high rate of change environment
- Company Interests
- Must possess the willingness to live the KLN Values, understand and articulate the KLN Mission and work diligently toward the KLN Vision
- An understanding of the love for pets and the importance of the pet/pet parent relationship
- Urgency in responding to customers’ needs (both internal & external)
- Inherent traits such as initiative, high energy, creativity, teamwork and positive attitude
- Health, Dental, & Vision
- Wellness program discounts - up to $150 discounted towards health insurance monthly
- 80 Hours of PTO Accrued in First Year of Employment
- 7 Paid Holidays
- KLN Clinic - Free doctor visits & more than 300 free prescriptions
- 401k Match Opportunity
- Opportunity to meet with our onsite financial advisors
- $10,000 Forgivable Home Grant Program
- Tuition Assistance
Salary : $45,000 - $75,000