Sr Manager Innovation, NA Foodservice

''•Oakbrook Terrace, IL

4d•$107,600 - $143,500•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Brand Manager, Innovation, Foodservice North America leads the innovation agenda for McCain’s potato category across Foodservice North America. Reporting to the Director of Innovation, this role owns the development and execution of a three-year innovation pipeline, translating consumer, operator, distributor, and category insights into commercially successful product, packaging, and occasion-based innovations. The position calls for strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and cross-functional leadership to support sustainable growth and shape McCain’s foodservice portfolio. The role leads innovation from opportunity identification through insight generation, proposition development, validation, and launch readiness. It partners with functions including R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Insights, Marketing, and the Go to Market Hub. The position also oversees portfolio and pipeline planning, including innovation prioritization, product mix, positioning, pricing, and profitability considerations. It directly manages and develops a Brand Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
At least 7 years of marketing or brand management experience.
At least 3 years of experience leading innovation initiatives within a consumer packaged goods, foodservice, or related environment.
Proven success developing new-to-world or new-to-company innovations, identifying whitespace opportunities, and creating new occasions or environments for growth.
Strong strategic thinking skills and demonstrated ability to challenge conventional thinking and generate breakthrough ideas.
Expertise in turning consumer, customer, and category insights into commercially viable innovations.
Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize data from multiple sources and make decisions in ambiguous environments.
Demonstrated project management capabilities and experience leading multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
Strong leadership and people management skills, including experience coaching and developing team members.
Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and influencing abilities across all levels of an organization.
High degree of resilience, ownership, and tenacity with a hands-on, results-oriented approach.
Experience operating in fast-paced, dynamic environments and driving outcomes through cross-functional collaboration.

Nice To Haves

MBA.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a breakthrough innovation strategy aligned with McCain’s long-range growth objectives, category priorities, portfolio strategy, and demand space framework.
Build and manage a three-year innovation pipeline covering product, packaging, occasion, and channel innovations.
Lead innovation projects from opportunity identification through insight generation, proposition development, validation, and launch readiness.
Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Insights, Marketing, and the Go to Market Hub to bring innovation initiatives to market.
Drive innovation pipeline sufficiency, big-bet prioritization, and portfolio planning to support growth objectives and S&OP processes.
Define the role of innovation within the broader portfolio and P&L, including product mix, positioning, pricing, and profitability considerations.
Translate consumer, guest, operator, distributor, and marketplace insights into actionable growth opportunities and differentiated concepts.
Build relationships with internal stakeholders and external customers to create alignment and accelerate innovation adoption.
Champion a demand-centric, insight-led culture that places consumers and customers at the center of strategic decision-making.
Coach and develop a Brand Manager through performance management, development planning, feedback, and mentorship.