Senior Manager Innovation
About The Position
The Senior Manager of Innovation supports the Breakfast Innovation team and helps build the future innovation pipeline. The role leads category innovation efforts by understanding business objectives, defining the work, developing consumer insights, generating new product ideas, and guiding those ideas through product development, testing, and commercialization. The position calls for consumer empathy, strong teamwork and communication, organization and project management skills, experience with market research and data analysis, and a passion for food and food trends. The role collaborates with Category Leadership and cross-functional partners—including Brand Teams, Operations, Sales, R&D, agencies, and research partners—to develop innovation direction, prioritize plans, evaluate opportunities, and support product launches. It also develops business and consumer insights, prepares persuasive communications, and manages new-product handoffs throughout development.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in marketing, Innovation, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating competency may be substituted.
- Seven or more years of experience; CPG experience is preferred.
- Computer proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and ability to learn and use other analytical tools and data sources.
- Experience with syndicated data such as IRI or Nielsen.
- Ability and willingness to travel 15% of the time (post COVID).
Nice To Haves
- MBA.
- CPG experience.
- Previous experience in an innovation role.
- Experience with consumer research and concept/prototype testing.
- Proficiency in Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Lead longer-term innovation efforts with Category Leadership and help create an innovation vision that expands the product footprint.
- Analyze trends and consumer data to anticipate consumer needs and generate product ideas.
- Evaluate ideas systematically and select promising opportunities for testing or feasibility analysis.
- Partner with internal research teams to design concept, prototype, and in-store innovation testing.
- Work with Category Leadership to prioritize the future innovation plan.
- Build collaborative relationships with Brand Teams, Operations, Sales, and R&D to align development and launch activities.
- Use information, logic, and business judgment to develop new products and categories.
- Manage projects through execution and contribute to annual business planning.
- Prepare persuasive sales and internal communication materials.
- Collaborate with agency and research partners.
- Analyze data and generate business insights.
- Develop and manage new-product and program handoffs, including processes and materials, to support smooth transitions through development and launch.
Benefits
- Competitive pay and benefits.
- Annual bonus eligibility.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- 401k and company match.
- Safe and inclusive work environment that appreciates diversity, promotes development, and allows associates to be their authentic selves.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
