Director, Innovation – Commercialization Operations

Athletic Greens

. Design, operate, and evolve the Stage Gate governance framework, including gate criteria, required evidence, decision rights, and escalation pathways .

Posted 11/10/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesLead💰 $145,000 - $180,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in designing and operating Stage Gate governance frameworks, integrating cross-functional NPD plans, and leading decision-making processes. Proven ability to influence stakeholders and manage complex workflows in consumer product development and commercialization.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Stage Gate Governance FrameworkCross-Functional LeadershipIntegrated PlanningRisk ManagementPMP Certification

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

New Product DevelopmentCommercializationDecision Forum LeadershipChange ControlGovernance Standards Setting

Soft Skills

JudgmentFacilitationExecutive CommunicationInfluencing Without Authority

Tools & Technologies

PLMNPD Portfolio ToolsProcess Excellence Methodologies

Certifications & Qualifications

PMP Certification

Industry Keywords

Consumer Packaged GoodsFoodBeveragesNutritional ProductsRetailDTCAmazonInternational Launches

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

PMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design, operate, and evolve the Stage Gate governance framework, including gate criteria, required evidence, decision rights, and escalation pathways
Lead gate reviews focused on decisions and readiness; document approvals, conditions, owners, and formal closure
Maintain gate decision records and follow conditional approvals through closure
Develop standards for decisions locked at each gate and controls for material changes after approval
Apply proportionate gate requirements based on risk and complexity
Identify decisions requiring executive intervention, frame options and trade-offs, and recommend paths forward
Integrate NPD plans across Product Development, Packaging, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Marketing, Retail, DTC, and International
Establish critical-path plans, functional lead times, dependencies, handoffs, launch baselines, and forecasts
Provide visibility into project status, timing, risks, resource demands, and launch-readiness decisions
Coordinate commercialization requirements across formulas, claims, packaging, artwork, labels, sourcing, master data, production, and channel launches
Define readiness expectations for manufacturing, inventory, retailer execution, and DTC launch
Surface timing, cost, and execution impacts of late changes
Operationalize Stage Gate redesign changes across active launches
Simplify or eliminate duplicative and legacy requirements while protecting critical controls
Create a reliable system of record for decisions, approved versions, deliverables, owners, milestones, and changes
Establish a framework for retailer-specific requests and exceptions
Define process-effectiveness measures, train teams, and drive adoption

Requirements

What you’ll need

10+ years in CPG new product development, innovation operations, commercialization, or related cross-functional leadership, ideally including food, beverages, or nutritional products
Demonstrated experience owning or materially redesigning a formal Stage Gate or comparable NPD governance framework
Experience launching physical consumer products and understanding formulation, regulatory/quality, packaging, supply chain, manufacturing, and commercial interdependencies
Strong judgment in setting governance standards while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy
Experience leading decision forums and navigating cross-functional trade-offs
Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority, implement change, and turn complex workflows into practical operating routines
Excellent integrated planning, risk management, facilitation, and executive communication skills
Experience facilitating executive gate decisions, setting and tracking conditions of approval, and leading pragmatic change control
Experience spanning mature CPG processes and high-growth, entrepreneurial environments
Experience with beverage or supplement categories and retail, DTC, Amazon, or international launches
PMP certification or equivalent formal training in project or program management methodologies
Familiarity with PLM, NPD portfolio tools, and process excellence methodologies

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive compensation and performance-based incentive plans
A 100% remote working environment (excluding Laboratory positions)
Paid holidays
Company-wide reset and reflect days
Unlimited PTO (based on your country of residence)
In-person team meetups for optimal collaboration, team building and accelerating productivity
Access to AG1 products and branded swag
Monthly telecom stipend to offset some of the costs of home internet/wifi for eligible team members
All other benefits and insurances as required by law, based on your specific country of residence
Stock option allocation for eligible roles