Director, Growth Explorations & Incubation Lab

SAMYANG AMERICA INC•Brea, CA

1d•$130,000 - $165,000

About The Position

Samyang America stands as the #1 Gen Z brand, boldly shaping the future of food culture with innovative flavors, viral trends, and unforgettable brand experiences. We don’t just create food - we craft moments that spark excitement, inspire connection, and celebrate bold individuality. Our mission is to bring daring, delicious products to the market that resonate deeply with the next generation of food lovers. From iconic spicy noodles to creative new launches, we are driven by passion, creativity, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of taste and culture. At Samyang America, you’ll join a dynamic team that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and a shared love for bold flavor experiences. We value fresh ideas, energetic spirit, and the courage to lead trends rather than follow them. If you’re ready to be part of a brand that’s more than just food - a brand that moves culture and creates unforgettable moments - join our team today! Position Summary: We are looking for a Director, Growth Explorations & Incubation Lab who will be responsible for leading disciplined exploration of new businesses and new product platforms through time-boxed, problem-led initiatives. This role oversees small, senior “Founder” teams that integrate strategy, R&D intelligence, and cross-functional input to rapidly evaluate growth opportunities and drive clear pursue, test, pause, or stop decisions—improving learning speed and decision quality across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Strategy, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred)
10–15+ years of experience in strategy, innovation, new business creation, or venture-style roles
Proven experience leading ambiguous, early-stage growth initiatives
Strong ability to structure problems and drive decisions under uncertainty
Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, marketing, and commercial teams
Strong executive communication and influence skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in food & beverage, consumer goods, or adjacent industries
Background in foresight, futures, or advanced consumer insight teams
Experience working across global or multi-regional environments
Exposure to sustainability, regulatory, or emerging technology domains
Experience standing up new intelligence or foresight capabilities

Responsibilities

Growth Exploration Governance:
Define and manage the growth exploration pipeline
Select and frame high-priority growth questions aligned with portfolio strategy
Ensure alignment with foresight inputs and strategic priorities
Founder Team Leadership
Lead and coach small, senior “Founder” teams
Oversee time-boxed exploration cycles (typically 6–10 weeks)
Ensure teams remain problem-led, not idea-led
Decision Discipline
Drive clear outcomes at the end of each exploration—Pursue, Test, Pause, or Stop.
Prepare concise decision memos for leadership review
Ensure learnings are documented, shared, and reused