Product Commercialization Consultant

TEAM: Happy Meal Category Svcs

CLIENT: McDonald’s

REPORTING TO: Consultant, Promotional Product Sourcing Lead

ABOUT US

tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world’s leading brands. With more than 1,400 employees across 28 countries., we offer an impressive range of solutions – from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery.

Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business, and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald’s, T-Mobile, O2, Starbucks, and adidas.

Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognized as the best.

WHAT MATTERS THE MOST

Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realized when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever-evolving.

tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com.

WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE

The Consultant, Portfolio Commercial Liaison: Product will play a pivotal role in ensuring client requests are translated into actionable plans and executed seamlessly. This individual will determine resourcing (in concert with the Portfolio Product Sourcing Lead), either internal or external vendor partners, while keeping projects on track and clients well-supported. The role requires someone who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and who brings both collaboration and operational discipline to every engagement.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION

• Translate prospective client requests into clear, actionable briefs that address critical product development and supply chain requirements.
  • Understand/verify specific deliverables including: budget, volume, product specifications and delivery considerations to assess feasibility of each program.
  • Brief and manage deliverables for Strategy/Creative/freelance resources where needed on creative direction/execution.
  • Consider any packaging requirements and liaise with SME’s for support on importation/labelling etc.
• Assess briefs and determine whether projects should be executed internally through tms sourcing resources or externally via third-party vendors.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard a diverse portfolio of vendors across product development, manufacturing, logistics, and fulfillment.
• Lead vendor vetting processes, including capability assessments, compliance checks, and contract negotiations to ensure alignment with business goals.
• Maintain a dynamic vendor ecosystem that balances cost, quality, scalability, and innovation.
• Define and document cross-functional workflows that integrate product, operations, procurement, and finance teams.
• Establish clear criteria and decision frameworks for when and how to engage external vendors versus internal resources.
• Oversee project execution, either by managing internal workflows or coordinating with third-party vendors to establish timelines and ensure deliverables remain on track.
• Continuously optimize operational processes to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance speed to market.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to track vendor performance, product quality, and supply chain health.
• Proactively identify risks related to vendor reliability, capacity, or compliance, and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide timely updates to the Account Management team and proactively escalate supply chain questions or issues as they arise. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to address quality issues, delays, or cost overruns, ensuring minimal disruption to product delivery.
• Partner with Account Management to prepare for key client interactions, serving as the supply chain voice during concept pitches, prototype reviews, and other milestone meetings.
• If required, manage local third-party vendor relationships outside of Hong Kong, offering feedback and driving continuous improvement in processes, quality, and performance.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

• Prospective client requests are consistently translated into accurate, actionable briefs with minimal gaps or rework.
• Acts as a trusted subject matter expert on our vendor ecosystem, proactively identifying potential risks and opportunities, and collaborating cross-functionally to implement solutions before issues impact product delivery.
• Internal supply chain resources, internal strategy and creative, and third-party vendors are leveraged appropriately, with clear ownership and accountability for each project.
• Projects move forward on time and on budget, with risks or delays surfaced early and addressed proactively.
• Account Management is well-prepared for client conversations, with supply chain considerations clearly represented and supported.
• Clients experience a seamless, professional process from concept through prototype review, building trust in the company’s capabilities.
• Applicable third-party vendor relationships improve over time, with measurable gains in responsiveness, quality, and efficiency.
• Continuously evolves and optimizes the vendor portfolio, seeking out innovative partners and capabilities that enhance product quality, reduce costs, and future-proof the supply chain.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE 

Required

• 5+ years of experience in promotional products, branded merchandise, or a related industry (e.g., consumer products, custom manufacturing).
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, including timelines, budgets, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage clients, internal teams, and third-party vendors.
• Demonstrated success in translating client requests into actionable product development or supply chain requirements.
• Ability to thrive in a hybrid work environment, with at least two days per week onsite in the Chicago office (preferred).
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment across numerous teams with differing objectives.
• Highly collaborative, with a track record of building trust and alignment across diverse stakeholders.
• Must be able to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities across clients, vendors, and internal teams.
• Must demonstrate a highly collaborative working style, building trust and alignment among teams with differing objectives.
• Success depends on the ability to influence without direct authority, ensuring progress across both internal and external stakeholders.

Any of the following would be a plus

• Background in promotional product or brand merchandise account management. Marketing services or agency experience a plus.
• Experience partnering with business development or account management teams in a client-facing role.
• Proficiency with project management platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, supply chain management, or related field.
• Track record of contributing to process improvement and vendor performance optimization.

Starting salary between $100,000-$110,000

TOTAL REWARD

Our total rewards philosophy integrates programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, corporate culture, corporate citizenship and work-life balance. While individual program components may differ by country, some things remain constant:

• Our commitment to rewarding results
• Opportunities to work with talented and driven individuals at every level of our company who respect each other, treat each other fairly and hold one another accountable for our customers’—and our company’s—success

There's more ...

Generous medical, dental, vision and other great benefits

Paid parental and medical leave programs

401(k) with a company match component and profit sharing

15 days of paid time off plus company holidays

Hybrid work model

Tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance

Inclusive employee resource groups

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

RECRUITING AGENCIES

tms does not accept agency resumes submitted by third-party vendors unless a valid agreement has been signed and the tms Talent Acquisition Team has granted authorization for submissions for a specified position. Please do not submit or forward resumes to our site, tms employees, or any other company location. tms is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

If you have any questions about the job, we are open to discussing this role further, so please feel free to get in touch. #LI-Hybrid