Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company in Chicago, IL

Are you a growth-driven commercial leader with a passion for healthy food innovation?
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) to join a leading Natural Snack Foods Company based in Chicago, IL. In this pivotal executive role, you will be responsible for driving sales, marketing, customer success, and strategic partnerships to elevate brand presence and accelerate revenue growth. If you bring deep expertise in the CPG space—especially in the health-conscious consumer segment—this is an exceptional opportunity to lead commercial strategy in a fast-growing category.

Drive Commercial Excellence in a High-Growth CPG Brand

Join a mission-driven organization committed to reshaping the snacking industry through natural, clean-label, and sustainable products. As Chief Commercial Officer, you will oversee the entire commercial organization—including Sales, Marketing, and eCommerce—and align cross-functional efforts to capture market opportunities. We are looking for a visionary leader who excels in team building, data-driven decision-making, and delivering measurable results in a competitive retail landscape.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company

Commercial Strategy & Execution
Develop and lead the overall commercial strategy to drive growth and market share in the natural snack foods category. Translate business objectives into actionable sales, marketing, and distribution plans that align with the brand’s mission and evolving consumer trends.

Revenue Generation & Market Penetration
Drive top-line revenue through omnichannel sales growth, including retail, eCommerce, and food service channels. As the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, you will be instrumental in identifying new market opportunities and expanding the customer base while enhancing profitability.

Brand Development & Consumer Engagement
Lead brand positioning and storytelling initiatives to build emotional connections with health-conscious consumers. Oversee integrated marketing efforts—including digital, influencer, and in-store campaigns—to drive brand awareness and consumer loyalty.

Retail & Channel Expansion
Develop and manage relationships with key retail partners, distributors, and brokers. Expand the brand’s footprint across grocery, specialty, and convenience channels. Negotiate high-impact trade agreements and promotional strategies to boost shelf presence and sell-through.

Data-Driven Decision Making
Leverage market insights, category data, and consumer behavior analytics to inform go-to-market strategies. Continuously assess commercial performance and adjust tactics to maximize ROI and meet KPIs.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Build and lead a high-performing commercial team across sales, marketing, and customer success. Foster collaboration with product development, operations, and finance to ensure commercial alignment and organizational agility.

Customer-Centric Innovation
Champion customer and consumer feedback to guide innovation pipelines and new product development. Ensure that the company remains ahead of category trends and delivers products that meet evolving dietary preferences and lifestyle demands.

Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
Identify and establish strategic partnerships to enhance brand equity, drive joint marketing initiatives, and accelerate market entry. Represent the company at industry events, trade shows, and investor presentations to build brand authority and visibility.

What the Client is Looking for in You

As the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, the client is seeking a dynamic, growth-oriented executive with deep expertise in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space. You should be a strategic commercial leader who excels in accelerating revenue, building purpose-driven brands, and unlocking new market opportunities. This role requires a strong balance of analytical thinking, team leadership, and consumer-centric innovation.

Proven Track Record in Commercial Leadership

The ideal candidate will bring a history of delivering outstanding commercial results in the CPG or natural food industry. As the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, you are expected to lead national and regional growth strategies, increase market share, and drive successful retail and eCommerce channel performance. Experience scaling premium or health-focused food brands is highly preferred.

Brand Builder with a Consumer-First Mindset

You should possess a deep understanding of today’s conscious consumer. The client is looking for someone who can lead brand storytelling and execute data-driven marketing strategies that resonate with modern health-conscious shoppers. The ability to build emotional connections with consumers while maintaining category relevance is essential.

Strategic Visionary with Hands-On Execution

You must be both a strategic thinker and a doer—able to see the big picture while executing with precision. The client seeks a Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company who can lead long-term planning across Sales, Marketing, and Product, while remaining agile in a competitive and fast-evolving market landscape.

Experience in Omnichannel Growth

You will be expected to optimize performance across all channels—from traditional grocery to DTC and digital marketplaces. Demonstrated success in launching and growing brands in omnichannel environments, including navigating buyer relationships, trade marketing, and digital conversion funnels, is a major asset.

Collaborative Leader and Team Builder

The client values a leader who can inspire and empower cross-functional teams. You should be skilled at aligning departments toward unified goals, cultivating a high-performance culture, and fostering a collaborative environment where innovation thrives. A hands-on leadership style with a focus on results, accountability, and mentorship is key.

Financial Acumen and Commercial Analytics

Strong command over budgeting, forecasting, pricing strategy, and promotional ROI is essential. You should be comfortable interpreting commercial data to drive informed decisions and optimize performance. The Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company must ensure every commercial move aligns with the company’s profitability and growth objectives.

Passion for Natural, Better-for-You Products

Above all, the client is looking for someone who shares their passion for wellness, sustainability, and creating better snacking options. A genuine connection to the natural foods mission will be critical in shaping the brand’s future and forging meaningful customer and partner relationships.

FAQs About the Role – Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company

1. What are the key responsibilities of the Chief Commercial Officer in this role?
As the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, you will be responsible for leading the overall commercial strategy—including sales, marketing, and business development. You will drive revenue growth, strengthen brand positioning, and expand market reach across multiple channels including retail, DTC, and foodservice. Your leadership will be central to aligning commercial efforts with the company’s mission and performance goals.

2. What qualifications and experience are required for this position?
The ideal candidate should have extensive experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry, preferably within natural or better-for-you food brands. A successful Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company will demonstrate a proven track record in scaling commercial operations, leading high-performance teams, and managing national retail and digital channels. Experience in marketing, trade strategy, and strategic partnerships is highly valued.

3. What leadership qualities are essential for success in this role?
We are seeking a collaborative, data-driven, and visionary leader with a passion for health-conscious consumer products. As Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, you should bring strong communication skills, a customer-first mindset, and the ability to inspire cross-functional teams. Strategic agility, problem-solving ability, and a focus on execution are critical for success.

4. What are some key challenges in this role?
In this highly competitive and fast-evolving market, challenges include staying ahead of consumer trends, achieving profitable omnichannel growth, managing retailer expectations, and differentiating the brand in a saturated space. The Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company must also navigate pricing pressures, supply chain complexities, and emerging health and sustainability standards.

5. How will this role impact the company’s long-term growth?
Your leadership will play a vital role in shaping the company’s commercial future. As Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, you will be directly responsible for driving top-line growth, enhancing brand equity, and positioning the company for sustainable success in the natural snack category. Your strategies will influence how the company scales and competes nationally.

6. What is the company’s culture and team environment like?
The company embraces a purpose-driven, collaborative culture with a strong commitment to innovation, wellness, and sustainability. You’ll be joining a passionate team that values transparency, agility, and consumer-centric thinking. As a key executive leader, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape this culture and champion continuous improvement across all commercial functions.

What Remuneration Can You Expect from This Job?

As the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company in Chicago, IL, you can expect a highly competitive and performance-driven compensation package that reflects the strategic importance of this executive leadership role. The remuneration structure is designed to reward growth leadership, innovation, and commercial impact in the natural food and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space.

1. Base Salary
The base salary for a Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company typically ranges from $250,000 to $450,000 annually, depending on company size, revenue, funding stage, and the scope of commercial responsibilities. High-growth or well-established brands may offer compensation on the higher end of the spectrum.

2. Performance-Based Bonuses
Performance bonuses are often tied to key commercial metrics such as top-line revenue growth, new channel acquisition, profit margins, and brand expansion. For a Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company, these bonuses may range from 25% to 75% of the base salary, and are structured to directly reward business results and strategic execution.

3. Equity & Stock Options
To align your long-term interests with company performance, equity compensation is commonly part of the total package. This may include stock options, RSUs (Restricted Stock Units), or performance-based equity grants. In a growth-focused company, equity can become a substantial part of your overall wealth-building opportunity.

4. Long-Term Incentives (LTIPs) & Profit-Sharing
In many cases, companies offer multi-year incentive plans or profit-sharing programs to ensure that executive focus remains aligned with sustainable value creation. These plans offer additional financial rewards for achieving long-term growth targets and business milestones.

5. Executive Benefits & Perks
As a senior executive, you will typically receive a comprehensive suite of benefits, which may include:

Premium health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plans with company match or executive retirement plans
Paid executive travel, wellness stipends, and expense accounts
Professional development allowances and industry event participation

6. Signing Bonus & Relocation Support
For top-tier candidates, the company may offer a signing bonus and/or relocation assistance, particularly if the opportunity involves transitioning to the Chicago market. Signing incentives can range from $25,000 to $200,000, depending on experience and negotiation.

Total Compensation Potential

When combining all elements—base salary, bonuses, equity, and long-term incentives—the total annual compensation for a Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company can range from $400,000 to over $1 million, with further upside tied to company growth, valuation milestones, and brand success.

How to Apply

If you are a strategic commercial leader with a proven record of driving growth, brand expansion, and market penetration in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) space, we invite you to apply for the Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company in Chicago, IL. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a purpose-driven brand at the forefront of healthy snacking.

To apply, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your experience in CPG leadership, revenue generation, omnichannel strategy, marketing innovation, and customer engagement. Be sure to highlight your success in scaling food brands, leading high-performing commercial teams, and driving sustainable business performance in competitive categories.

This executive-level role offers a high-impact opportunity to lead commercial transformation, unlock growth potential, and align consumer trends with brand strategy. Apply today to become the next Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company and help shape the future of clean-label snacking in one of America’s most dynamic food markets.

For more information or to explore similar leadership opportunities, visit our Natural Food Sales and Marketing Executive Recruiters page.

Job Category: Natural Food Sales and Marketing

Job Type: Full Time

Job Location: Chicago

Chief Commercial Officer with a Natural Snack Foods Company in Chicago, IL