Director of Innovation Strategy & Execution

Traditional Medicinals•Rohnert Park, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Traditional Medicinals is the leading medicinal tea company in the U.S., with a 50‑year legacy of advancing the health of people and the planet through the power of plants. Rooted in herbal wisdom and grounded in modern science, we are committed to ethical sourcing, quality, and sustainability. As consumer interest in herbal medicine continues to grow, we are focused on building a disciplined innovation capability that sustains the core business while creating the future. The Role Reporting to the Chief Science Officer, the Director of Innovation Strategy & Execution is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping, leading, and delivering Traditional Medicinals’ innovation agenda across formats and time horizons. This role ensures innovation at TM is: Strategically grounded in clear choices about where to play and how to win Consumer-led, rooted in real needs and jobs-to-be-done Commercially viable, with credible paths to value creation Operationally executable, aligned with TM’s capabilities and constraints The Director of Innovation Strategy & Execution leads the front end of innovation (Discovery / Gate 0) and owns the innovation pipeline and ways of working from opportunity identification through early commercialization handoff. They partner deeply with Brand, R&D, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, and external partners to turn ideas into businesses worth investing in and ensures innovation contributes meaningfully to both near-term performance and long-term portfolio evolution. This role requires both strategic leadership and hands-on execution. The Director must be comfortable defining innovation direction while personally driving Discovery workstreams, developing briefs, and advancing initiatives through ambiguity. Traditional Medicinals operates with focus and discipline rather than excess. This role is best suited for a leader who enjoys building systems and capabilities in environments where clarity must be created, not inherited. The Director must be comfortable advancing work through influence, experimentation, and thoughtful trade-offs rather than relying on large teams or budgets.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in innovation, strategy, brand management, general management, or new business development within CPG, wellness, food, or supplements, with minimum of 6 years leading innovation.
Demonstrated experience leading early‑stage innovation and Discovery, with accountability for recommendations and investment decisions.
Proven in-market launches of projects with differing complexities that drove growth and build brand equity.
Strong business and financial acumen, with the ability to evaluate trade‑offs, risk, and return.
Experience working within structured innovation or investment governance models (e.g., Stage‑Gate, portfolio management).
Proven ability to lead cross‑functionally and influence without direct authority.
Comfort operating in ambiguity while bringing clarity, structure, and momentum.
Passion for purpose‑driven brands and interest in herbal or plant‑based wellness.