Innovation Manager
Sheboygan Falls, WI, US, 53085
Johnsonville Location: Global Headquarters
Members of our marketing team work on all aspects of the brand and its portfolio of products, including consumer insights, advertising, consumer promotion, shopper marketing, new products, sales, operations and finance. As a member of this team, your responsibilities could include leading the development of integrated marketing efforts, leading advertising and packaging development, promotional and website development, creating and executing media strategies and plans, championing new products, advancing consumer insights and brand strategy, and collaborating with sales teams to develop strategic partnerships. The marketing team is an integral part of the organization’s overall success.
Position Overview
Do you want to have an impact shaping the future and growth of beloved consumer brands? Are you looking for a role where curiosity, creativity, strategy, and brand-building are required? Would you like to be part of an entrepreneurial, privately- held company and innovation team that are as committed to winning in the marketplace as they are to investing in the growth and careers of their team members? Then look no further, because we are expanding the world-class innovation team for the Johnsonville portfolio of brands.
The Innovation Manager plays a critical role in the development and execution of the Company’s new product pipeline, and therefore, is a key player in enabling the company to achieve our future growth targets.
Responsibilities
• Elevate the innovation pipeline to the next level by combining consumer driven insights, strategic commercial thinking, creativity, and project and process leadership
• Working with Insights, Sensory, R&D, Operations, and Finance, ensure projects are desired by consumers, financially viable, and technically feasible
• Build compelling business cases that demonstrate a deep understanding of consumer insights and unmet needs, marketplace trends, competitive environment, and customer interest
• Think both tactically and strategically, identifying opportunities that fit both short and long-term organizational goals
• Help our commercial teams expand into new territories for the company with outstanding new products: new users, new jobs, and new retail pathways
• Be a key leader in, and role model of, our enterprise innovation process and continually seek to learn, stretch, and grow further, to continuously elevate the impact of the portfolio
• Understand needs of the commercial team and translate those needs via consumer insights into new projects and products to deliver on commercial objectives
• Lead executional excellence commercializing new products: on strategy, on time and on budget
Education
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• MBA preferred
Experience
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in brand marketing and/or innovation, required
• Proven experience launching new products, required
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with cross‑functional teams, including R&D, consumer insights, and sales strategy, required
• Background in consumer packaged goods (CPG) is strongly preferred
• Experience within the frozen food or snacking categories is a plus
Skills
• Curious, creative, tenacious and hypothesis-driven innovator
• Ability to “see the big picture,” taking data points from across multiple sources and threading together to identify opportunities
• Willingness to “go against the flow” when necessary, and tenaciously build the data and story to convince others
• Ability to champion projects end-to-end and be accountable for impact and results
• Strong analytical skills. Comfort with triangulating and interpreting data, as well as the ability to make clear, actionable recommendations
• Experience driving towards objective KPIs, including financial results
• A Persistent and positive attitude with a team-oriented approach is required
• Comfortable balancing strategic rigor and thinking with a willingness to roll up sleeves to make it happen
Other Requirements
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 10-20% of the time
Benefits and Compensation
Members have potential for a monthly bonus and 401k with a company match. Members also have access to terrific benefits including affordable medical, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; and fertility and adoption assistance. Johnsonville also offers competitive paid time off, including paid parental time off, as well as access to the 24/7 onsite fitness center, and onsite medical clinic! Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the country where this job is located, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
About our Company
Since 1945, our family-owned band of sausage-makers has invented better ways to make, eat and prepare crave-able sausage. Today, we are 4,000+ Members strong. We sell our famous sausage in all 50 United States and more than 40 countries. We have a culture built on the idea that if we make developing your talents our top priority, great business results will follow naturally. We call it The Johnsonville Way. It has been our secret sauce for decades, and we hope you get to experience it for yourself!
Johnsonville is an equal opportunity employer, including Vet/Disability.
We embrace the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including protected veteran and disability status.
Nearest Major Market: Sheboygan
Nearest Secondary Market: Green Bay