Director, Innovation Projects (Product Development)

Chobani • Philadelphia, PA

51d • $144,000 - $216,000

About The Position

The Director, Innovation Projects at La Colombe will be responsible for defining and driving the dispensed cold brew vision to build a best in industry product system. Specifically, this role will oversee the strategy, the design, the build and role-out of the company’s cold brew dispensing equipment and product assortment. This leader will work closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, supply chain, marketing, and sales, to create a superior cold brew customer value proposition. The ideal candidate has a strong background in design or engineering, some experience in product management, a passion for beverages, and a commitment to delivering exceptional, innovative customer experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, STEM, Industrial Design, Product Management, or a related field; MBA or equivalent experience preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in product design, machine engineering, product strategy, or a similar role, preferably in the food & beverage industry or CPG
• Demonstrated experience in developing and launching successful products
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management, innovation processes, and market research

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in food service and contract managed services, Food equipment and technology, product development, P&L management, and sales are all a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive equipment and product strategy for the on-tap product category to drive growth and market differentiation
• Monitor industry trends, consumer preferences, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities for product innovation
• Set clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for on-tap offerings, ensuring alignment with company goals
• Collaborate with customer facing teams to understand customer needs and consumer preferences and build in machine specifications
• Find, vet and onboard with 3rd party firms to design and build innovative equipment systems
• Collaborate with production and R&D teams to create and refine on-tap products
• Establish machine standards for quality
• Partner with sustainability teams to integrate environmentally friendly practices into the on-tap product lifecycle
• Oversee the supply chain and distribution for on-tap dispensing machines
• Optimize operational efficiencies for retail team, including machine cleaning , storage, and maintenance.
• Implement systems for tracking performance metrics like customer experience and usage
• Partner with marketing teams to craft compelling brand stories and promotional campaigns for on-tap products
• Train sales teams and distributors on the features, benefits, and unique selling points of on-tap beverages
• Act as the primary point of contact for key accounts and partners, addressing their needs and fostering long-term relationships
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and communication across departments

Benefits

• Chobani provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision coverage, disability insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement.
• To help save for the future, all employees are eligible for a 401k match of 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay.
• To support growing families, we provide fertility and childcare assistance, and 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay after six months of continuous employment.
• In addition, we provide wellness resources which include an employee assistance program, fitness discounts, a wellness reimbursement, on-site gym access (certain locations) and a monthly wellness newsletter to connect you with resources and timely information.
• We offer various types of paid time of including: 120 hours of paid time off, 11 holidays, paid volunteer time off and military service leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees