Manager, Innovation

Description

 Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

 At Lactalis in the USA, we’re committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive—whether you’re just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

 As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

 In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani® Italian cheeses and ricotta, Président® specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft® natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone’s® cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel®, Black Diamond® cheddar, and Parmalat® milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi’s®, Stonyfield Organic®, Brown Cow™, Oui®, Yoplait®, Go-Gurt®, :ratio®, Green Mountain Creamery®, and Mountain High®, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun®, Gopi®, and Arz®.

 At Lactalis, we live by our core values—Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone’s unique background and ideas are valued.

 Even if you don’t meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy. 

From your PASSION to ours

The  Manager, Innovation will be a strategic business partner in the development of the innovation pipeline and will work closely with Marketing, Project Management, R&D, Sales, and all levels of Leadership. This role will develop and commercialize new products from idea to launch that meet the needs of consumers and customers, align with portfolio strategy, and achieve long-term brand and financial objectives. The role will contribute to the development and execution of new products ideas and bundles by uncovering consumer insights, launching on-time with excellence, category landscape analyses, competitive assessments, and through collaborating and cultivating strong working relationships with cross-functional partners (R&D, Project Management, Insights, Sales Strategy, Regulatory, Brand).  The Manager, Innovation will report to the Head of Innovation and Insights.

From your STORY to ours\

• In partnership with the Head of Innovation, develop and commercialize the innovation pipeline for designated brands, on time and within budget.
• Manage the design and execution of research projects to uncover consumer needs.
• Lead concept, formulation, and packaging development, vetting against company benchmarks.
• Create business cases, briefs, and presentations, performing post-mortem/hindsight reviews.
• Present new business ideas in a clear, concise manner with supporting rationale.
• Create presentation decks using compelling storytelling techniques that drive cross-functional and Leadership buy-in. 
• Be an active thinking partner for Innovation and Brand teams. 
• Learn and practice basic Front End innovation skills and techniques in facilitation, brainstorming, concept creation, problem solving and seek ways to apply internally.
• Attend thought leadership conferences and webinars to level-up innovation and insights expertise and help to create an innovation culture. 
• Manage the Innovation budget. 
• Other tasks as assigned. 

Requirements

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience (7 years) in Marketing or related field required. MBA preferred

Experience

• 3+ years of marketing experience in consumer package goods or related field. Experience in a food category a plus.
• Demonstrated experience commercializing new products or product improvements.
• Experience with a purpose-driven brand, a plus.

Certifications and specific knowledge

• Demonstrated ability to communicate to all levels of the organization, including the ability to present business information in a group setting.
• Proficiency with Circana tools.
• Ability to operate in a matrixed team environment. 
• High comfort level with collaboration and securing input from others. 
• Able to communicate and influence senior leaders.
• Demonstrate confidence, thought leadership, and comfort with taking risk in ambiguous situations. 
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity, analytical proficiency, critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and team collaboration. 
• Ability to shift from ‘big picture’ thinking to practical implementation with ease and build a bridge from short term to long term. 
• Demonstrated ability to apply insights. 
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines within specified time constraints. 
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fluid work environment. 

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.