Director of Commercialization

Who We Are

Ascend Wellness Holdings (AWH) is a vertically integrated cannabis cultivator, processor, and retailer with assets in Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Our mission is to shape the future of cannabis as a leading healthcare solution while delivering a premium, customer-focused retail experience. We are committed to building a high-performing team that is passionate about our products, our communities, and creating operational excellence across our growing footprint.

The Role

The Director of Commercialization is responsible for leading the development and launch of new products with AWH's external partners in accordance with procedures set forth by AWH. This role will be responsible for developing new formulations and dosage forms, line extensions, new packaging configurations, and product collaborations with outside partners. This role will provide overall project leadership, creating product concepts and standards, driving development activities, facilitating introduction into Operations, and keeping management updated on overall progress of key developments activities.

Location: Remote with 25-50% travel expectation. Strong preference to candidates located in IL, NJ, MA, OH.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive commercialization strategy for brand partnerships, aligning with AWH and partner brands priorities and goals.
• Responsible for the upkeep and management of all aspects of brand partner relationships, including contract negotiation, investment & commercial discussion, new partner onboarding, performance tracking, financial metrics including P&L, and ongoing communication.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with sales, marketing, product, and finance teams to ensure seamless execution of brand partnership initiatives.
• Oversee project management for brand partnership commercial campaigns and product launches, ensuring coordination with partners, timely delivery, and quality execution.
• Analyze performance metrics and market trends to make informed decisions and recommendations to optimize brand partnership strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with brand partners, acting as the main point of contact between them and AWH and ensuring all commercial activities are professionally managed.
• Provide regular performance reports and updates to senior management, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and opportunities.
• Stay updated on industry trends and competitive landscape to identify potential areas for growth and innovation within brand partnerships.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of brand partner management processes.
• Lead the development of long-term brand partner roadmaps, aligning their goals with our company's strategic objectives.
• Work with AWH's project management and cross-functional teams to ensure correct prioritization and execution of all related projects.
• Portfolio management: support brand partners on the management of the innovation pipeline and go-to-market activities.
• Budget management: Oversee and manage brand partner budgets and P&L.
• Suggest new product concepts within the product development process.
• Create and maintain product development project plans.
• Ensure key development activities are planned, resourced, and executed by operations staff.
• Ensure execution of R&D stability and shipping studies prior to launch.
• Track decisions, agreements, and action items related to product developments.
• Identify packaging configurations for evaluation by the broader team and provide details necessary for Supply Chain to source.
• Create product quality standards and BOM for new products.
• Work with Finance and Operations to estimate cost of goods and margin prior to launch.
• Work with Operations to optimize manufacturability of new products.
• Lead the transfer new products between sites in the Ascend network.
• Maintain Product Launch Schedule.
• Run monthly Product Development reviews with key stakeholders.
• Create weekly update reports for leadership.
• Identify packaging prototypes and facilitate selection of final packaging configuration.
• Work directly with outside partners to launch licensed branded products.
• Act as primary point of contact with outside partners to resolve technical issues.
• Perform initial gap analysis for new product licensing opportunities.
• Assist in vetting new technologies being considered for licensing.
• Create work instructions, SOPs, and policies related to Product Development.
• Strictly follow all company policies and internal SOPs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages and motivates staff through influence without direct line authority.
• Train, direct, and appraise staff.
• Issues written & verbal instructions; examines for conformance to regulations and policy.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• 5 years of experience in partnership management, new business management, or related roles, with at least 5-10 years of demonstrated leadership skills including team management, mentorship, and coaching.
• Minimum 4 years' experience within Cannabis industry in Manufacturing and/or Sales and Marketing preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the legal cannabis industry, including its regulatory landscape, market trends, and consumer preferences.
• Proven track record of successfully managing and growing brand partnerships, ideally within cannabis, alcohol, beverage, CPG, or other related industries.
• Demonstrated success in developing and launching innovative products from concept to commercialization.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cannabis, including dosage forms, strain categories, knowledge of therapeutic effects of cannabinoids, and types of medicinal administration.
• Strong understanding of commercial strategy, negotiation tactics, and financial management principles.
• Demonstrated experience in effectively managing Profit and Loss statements, including analyzing revenue streams, identifying cost drivers, and implementing strategies to improve profitability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Strong analytical mindset and problem-solving skills; ability to interpret performance data and make data-driven decisions.
• Strategic thinker who can align brand partnership strategies with broader business goals.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders across various departments.
• A passion for the cannabis industry and a commitment to driving product excellence and consumer satisfaction.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Comfortable with 25%-50-% travel to AWH's facilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Monday.com and MS-Office with emphasis on Excel, PowerPoint, Word.
• State regulations require qualified candidates for this position to be at least 21 years of age and able to pass a fingerprinting background check and drug screening - certain criminal convictions may disqualify candidates based on state marijuana/cannabis licensing regulations.

Work Environment

This position works both remotely, at home, and onsite in manufacturing and retail store environments. The role requires working in conditions that may include loud noise, elevated temperatures, humidity, and exposure to strong odors. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.

Physical Requirements

The position must occasionally lift, push, pull and /or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, this position is occasionally required to sit and regularly use hand(s) to handle, grasp, feel, and or touch. This position is frequently required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. This position requires you to speak and listen regularly.

EEO Statement

Ascend Wellness Holdings, INC., ("AWH") and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring / hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.