Manager, Brand Innovation (STEM)
About The Position
The Manager, Brand Innovation (STEM) develops and manages an innovation pipeline aligned with North America Consumer Brands’ growth ambitions, translating unmet consumer needs into winning products. The role identifies consumer needs and opportunities, develops a five-year product and marketing innovation plan, and leads new product innovation. The manager leads cross-functional teams—including RD&E, Consumer Insights and Business Analytics, Design, Legal, Regulatory, Product Supply, and Finance—through influence and collaboration. The position calls for curiosity, comfort navigating uncertainty, a willingness to challenge conventional thinking, and a focus on continuous improvement. The manager refines processes, products, and language; weighs trade-offs and calculated risks; takes ownership of outcomes; and uses strong problem-solving skills to simplify complex situations, remove barriers, and recommend alternatives. Product innovation or marketing commercialization experience in global CPG is considered ideal. This is a full-time onsite position at Sam’s Hall in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin. Remote work is available once per week for eligible employees, and the role is eligible for domestic relocation.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field and 5+ years of relevant work experience, or an advanced degree in marketing, business administration, or a related field and 3+ years of relevant work experience.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States.
Nice To Haves
- 5+ years of marketing experience developing consumer products.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams.
- Experience with and passion for portfolio and product innovation, including the ability to distill consumer insights into meaningful and differentiated product offerings.
- Ability to execute highly complex or specialized projects and work effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Ability to remove barriers by focusing on priorities, making timely decisions, and maximizing empowerment.
- A strong sense of urgency to deliver winning results individually and through others.
- Curiosity and open-mindedness, including applying new learning to situations and processes.
- Prior FMCG/CPG experience.
- Product innovation or marketing commercialization experience in global CPG.
Responsibilities
- Partner with brand teams to develop winning consumer-led brand strategies.
- Develop and manage an innovation pipeline aligned with brand strategy and growth targets.
- Translate unmet consumer needs into product concepts that satisfy category and customer requirements.
- Scope, lead, and deliver new product innovations to drive commercial business growth through cross-functional leadership.
- Develop a five-year product and marketing innovation pipeline that addresses consumer needs and enhances brand equity, focusing on key problems and aligning with the brand’s North Star.
- Understand and use consumer and shopper insights to drive segment priorities; analyze and distill insights and make strategic recommendations supporting business initiatives and priorities.
- Lead cross-functional teams, including RD&E, Consumer Insights and Business Analytics, Design, Legal, Regulatory, Product Supply, and Finance.
- Continuously improve processes, products, and language; simplify complex situations, remove barriers, and recommend alternative actions.
Benefits
- Eligible for domestic relocation
- Remote work available once per week for eligible employees
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
