Innovation Brand Manager - Disruptive Growth

WHO ARE WE?

We are the VMS Co-Op, a group of fast growing companies in the Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) space. The VMS Co-Op includes OLLY, SmartyPants and future acquisitions to come! This position's home company is OLLY.​

THE ROLE: INNOVATION BRAND MANAGER - DISRUPTIVE GROWTH ​​

We're looking for someone who can fast forward OLLY into the future. Someone who sees opportunities where others see constraints.Someone who is energized by creating what doesn't exist, testing bold hypotheses, learning quickly, and turning insights into scalable businesses. This role is responsible for building the next generation of growth platforms—from identifying emerging consumer problems to launching entirely new products, formats, categories and business models. Unlike a traditional brand management role, this position is focused on early stage innovation, test and learn growth platforms, and building new opportunities from concept through validation andlaunch. You'll operate with a startup mindset inside a high-growth organization. Success comes from curiosity, speed, conviction, and an ability to continuously learn through experimentation. This role reports into the VP of Brand Strategy & Innovation.​

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Operate like a founder: Lead priority innovation concepts from idea through validation and launch readiness, partnering crossfunctionally to advance the strongest opportunities. Balance long-term vision with hands-on execution. Embrace failure as a learning tool, rapidly pivoting based on insights. Be resilient and navigate internal hurdles and processes with creative solutions. ​
• Build the future: See around corners. Anticipate where culture, technology, science, and consumer behavior are heading before the market does. Identify unmet needs consumers can't yet articulate and transform them into entirely new categories, platforms, and businesses that create future growth.​
• Test, Learn & Iterate: Lead a rapid experimentation process—from insight to concept, prototype, consumer validation and commercialization. Design lean experiments to quickly validate assumptions, minimizing risk while maximizing learning. Build an evidence-based innovation pipeline (e.g.; limited launch & learn) using consumer feedback, data and iterative testing. ​
• Build new growth platforms: Explore new product formats, technologies, ingredients, services and business models. Translate trends, science and consumer behavior into commercially viable opportunities. Partner across R&D, Brand, Commercial, Operations,Finance and External partners to bring concepts to life.​
• What success looks like: A robust pipeline of test & learn opportunities that will be future best sellers. Fast learning cycles with measurable consumer insights. High-quality concepts progressing through staged investment. Establish new products and platforms capable of driving meaningful future revenue. Build a culture that celebrates experimentation, curiosity and intelligent risk-taking.​

THE CANDIDATE​​

The Innovation Brand Manager - Disruptive Growth is  for someone who thrives in building something from nothing and brings a high bias for action balanced with a clear vision. You are intellectually curious, constantly exploring emerging trends, technologies, and evolving consumer behaviors to identify new opportunities. You challenge conventional thinking with confidence and respect, are comfortable making decisions with incomplete information, and view setbacks as opportunities to learn rather than failures. You inspire others through compelling storytelling while balancing creativity with commercial discipline, bringing resilience, optimism, and an entrepreneurial mindset to everything you do.

CAPABILITIES + SKILLS REQUIRED  

• 5+ years of experience in innovation, venture building, product development, strategy, design thinking, or new business creation.
• Proven experience launching new products, brands, platforms, or businesses from concept through commercialization.
• Strong understanding of consumer insights, innovation methodologies, and experimentation frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with cross-functional teams and navigate ambiguity.
• Experience working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial, or high-growth environments preferred.
• Background in CPG, health & wellness, consumer products, technology, or other innovation-driven industries is highly preferred.​

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Initial video screen with a member of our Talent team
• Round 1: Conversation with the Hiring Manager + 1-2 conversations with other Ollies on the team
• Round 2: 2-3 conversations with team or cross functional Ollies
• Final Round: Homework*

*At OLLY, our final round is called Homework. Candidates who participate in this round are given 3 questions in advance to answer and present to the interview panel they previously spoke with in the process. We understand every candidate is different. If you need a reasonable accommodation to adjust this procedure, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can evaluate and provide other options that work for your needs

THE DETAILS 

​LOCATION: Remote, USA - 4X travel per year to company offsites ​

HOURS: Full time, exempt (salary)​

MANAGER: VP of Brand Strategy & Innovation​

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

The base pay range for this position is $116,000 to $140,000. For this remote role, compensation is determined based on geographic location and experience, and the final offer will reflect these factors within the posted range.

WHAT WE OFFER: 

• An opportunity to work with an intelligent, inspiring, and extraordinarily fun team 
• We pay 100% of the premiums for employee-only medical, dental + orthodontics, and vision insurance
• 4 weeks PTO + paid holidays + 12 Mental Health Days per year
• 100% Paid parental leave, Fertility + Adoption Benefits 
• Annual Bonus  
• 401(k) plan with Employer Match 
• Hybrid Work + Wellness + Cell Phone Stipends 
• Free product 
• And much more!