Brand Manager - Innovation

At Bel, we are not just a company—we are a company on a Mission, built on 160 years of bold innovation, family values, and a commitment to social purpose. With beloved brands like Babybel®, GoGo squeeZ®, The Laughing Cow®, and Boursin®, our snacking solutions bring more than joy; they want to serve as a force for good. Our U.S. Mission? To help close the critical 80% nutrition gap by making it easier for Americans to eat more fruits, veggies, and dairy as part of their daily lives. The company has headquarters in Chicago and New York City and operates 4 manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI; Brookings, SD; Traverse City, MI; and Nampa, ID.

Job Description Summary
The Brand Manager of Innovation will lead the end-to-end development and launch of new products, shaping the innovation pipeline to meet emerging consumer, shopper, and customer needs. This role partners closely with cross‑functional teams to bring ideas to life, from initial concept through commercialization, leveraging consumer insights, market trends, and strong business acumen. The ideal candidate excels at translating insights into action, managing complex projects, and driving growth through strategic innovation. This is a unique opportunity to help define the future of GoGo SqueeZ®, make a meaningful impact on business results, and deliver products that delight our consumers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Innovation Development

Lead the innovation and renovation pipeline from ideation through stage gate to launch, driving whitespace and category growth opportunities.

Guide cross‑functional teams (R&D, Purchasing, Finance, Insights, Creative) and collaborate with the Project Management Office to deliver innovation projects on time and to standard.

Partner with R&D to develop optimal product formulas that address consumer needs and preferences.

Develop and test new concepts using consumer insights and market research; integrate findings into project strategies.

Create compelling customer presentations and marketing briefs for new product review meetings, partnering with Creative, Brand Activation, and Sales for seamless launches.

Business Management

Define and prioritize a robust pipeline of profitable ideas and projects in alignment with strategic growth objectives.

Lead and direct external partners, including agencies and suppliers, to ensure integrated execution.

Work collaboratively with Sales Strategy to deliver marketplace execution plans and prepare impactful presentations for key accounts.

Category, Customer & Consumer Trend Analysis

Map category landscapes, identify emerging trends, and assess the business potential ("size of prize") for new ideas.

Manage external and internal analyses of competitors, customers, and market trends, translating insights into actionable business strategies.

Demonstrate passion for the food industry, proactively detect trends, and convert insights into executable plans that drive growth.

Skills and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related field; MBA preferred.

5+ years of relevant experience in the CPG industry, including both base and innovation business.

Proven experience with new product commercialization.

Strong analytical skills, with experience using syndicated data sources (e.g., IRI, Nielsen).

Strategic thinker with long‑term vision and business acumen.

Strong leadership presence, effective communicator, and interpersonal skills at all levels.

Skilled in managing cross‑functional projects, prioritizing tasks, and working within tight timelines.

Entrepreneurial mindset, creative problem solver, and able to pivot quickly.

Passion for understanding consumer behavior and building brands; acts as an owner and is results‑driven.

Comfortable working in a fast‑growing, international environment, collaborating globally with a strong work ethic.

Working Conditions
Work is performed largely in a hybrid office environment. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours with at least 40 hours a week. At times there will be some variation due to special projects, deadlines and other concerns. Occasional travel may be required. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Whole‑Job Acknowledgement
This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by an employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job‑related duties as requested by management. All requirements are subject to change overtime and to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Total Rewards

$135,000 – 150,000 annually

15% bonus potential

20 days PTO

4% match on 401(k)

Health care by Blue Cross Blue Shield

Free Vision & Dental

Hybrid work schedule in NYC

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bel Brands is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Bel Brands also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Bel Brand’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions. Bel Brands is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation or assistance in using the website, please call 312‑462‑1500.

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