Commercial Director

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois.

📋 Description

• Take ownership of regional commercial performance, ensuring accountability for category growth, revenue, margin, and long-term value creation.

• Spearhead the development and implementation of regional commercial strategies that align with Simplot and McDonald’s global objectives.

• Identify, prioritize, and promote growth opportunities across product innovation, supply chain optimization, and execution excellence.

• Lead regional efforts for RFP planning and commercial negotiations, guaranteeing disciplined, competitive, and value-driven results.

• Assist in translating regional macro and micro business drivers into clear commercial strategies and investment priorities.

• Direct the regional innovation strategy in collaboration with McDonald’s, encompassing ideation, prioritization, and commercialization.

• Collaborate with internal Marketing, Innovation, R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to enhance customer-relevant solutions.

• Ensure that innovation pipelines align with McDonald’s strategic priorities and are feasible for large-scale execution.

• Advocate for continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, cost, sustainability, and customer experience.

• Act as Simplot’s senior commercial leader for McDonald’s within the region.

• Establish and maintain trusted executive relationships across McDonald’s Supply Chain, Marketing, Quality, and Field Operations.

• Facilitate alignment across the “three-legged stool,” including third-party suppliers and logistics partners.

• Shape strategic direction through thought leadership, insights, and proactive collaboration.

• Coordinate and align a complex cross-functional ecosystem to achieve commercial priorities at regional and market levels.

• Ensure clear governance, decision-making, and accountability across initiatives.

• Eliminate obstacles to execution by aligning resources, priorities, and capabilities.

• Guide and develop Market Leads and regional commercial teams.

• Build a robust leadership pipeline, succession plans, and commercial capabilities.

• Establish clear expectations for commercial ownership, accountability, and performance.

• Promote a culture of growth mindset, collaboration, and disciplined execution.

• Actively engage in the Global McDonald’s commercial ecosystem.

• Ensure effective communication and alignment between Global, Regional, and Market teams.

• Educate Simplot stakeholders on regional and market-specific dynamics.

• Enable markets to comprehend and implement global strategies locally.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; an MBA or advanced degree is preferred.

• 12–15+ years of progressive experience in commercial leadership, category management, or strategic account roles.

• A proven track record of driving growth, innovation, and commercial outcomes with large, complex customers.

• Direct experience in leading RFPs, negotiations, and competitive bid processes.

• Extensive experience in global, matrixed organizations.

• Experience with McDonald’s or a similar global QSR is strongly preferred.

• Significant background in commercial leadership, strategic account management, or customer leadership roles within complex organizations.

• Demonstrated success in managing large, strategic customer relationships and delivering commercial growth.

• Strong commercial expertise, including experience with RFP processes, growth planning, commercial strategy, and customer negotiations.

• Experience operating across multiple countries, regions, or global business environments.

• Proven ability to influence within matrixed organizations and align stakeholders around common objectives.

• Executive presence, credibility, and confidence when engaging with senior customer stakeholders, including C-suite leaders.

• A proactive, relationship-oriented approach with the ability to anticipate needs, identify opportunities, and shape future outcomes.

• Experience within McDonald's, QSR, foodservice, or comparable global customer environments will be highly valued.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• 401(k) matching

• Flexible work hours

• Paid time off

• Professional development opportunities