Brand Innovation Manager

Compensation: Up to $135,000.00 plus yearly bonus

About The Role
The Innovation Manager sits within the portfolio team of the marketing department and serves as the hub for innovation strategies across the organization. This role is positioned as a key growth driver for the company, responsible for developing consumer-focused innovation that meets market needs while balancing feasibility, viability, and consumer likability. The position requires understanding how to translate consumer insights into viable business ideas that can be brought to market through the stage gate process.

Key Responsibilities

Develop innovation ideas with a consumer mindset and business acumen

Work with insights partners to understand consumer problems

Lead early front-end innovation including product development with R&D and sensory teams

Develop packaging concepts

Guide products through the stage gate process

Prioritize which innovations to move forward based on feasibility, viability, and consumer appeal

Serve as the central hub coordinating innovation efforts across the organization

Work with commercialization teams to bring products to market

Encompasses the full end-to-end innovation process from idea generation through consumer insights, product development, concept testing, packaging development, and final launch

Some innovations grow at different speeds and may be parked for later relevance, requiring ongoing nurturing and development

Qualifications/Must Haves

Self-starter mentality with ability to create work independently

Innovation experience in CPG or related consumer product industries

Experience developing innovation from the marketing/consumer perspective

Track record of working with consumer insights partners to understand consumer problems

Experience with product development and R&D collaboration

Experience with packaging development and testing

Ability to guide products through stage gate processes

Understanding of feasibility, viability, and consumer appeal in innovation decisions

Curious mindset about how the business works across functions

Ability to balance consumer-focused ideas with business viability

Collaborative work style and comfort with highly integrated team environments

Experience working in highly collaborative organizational cultures

Ability to read and interpret consumer data reports and brand health trackers

Preferred Experience

Experience in retail innovation or adjacent CPG categories

Experience with food service or away-from-home food innovation

Diverse marketing experience across different roles (brand management, social, etc.)

Extroverted personality and/or strong collaboration skills

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