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Beverage Innovation Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Panera Bread

Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights

Newton, MA · On-site

$104K - $125K/yr

This role combines research expertise, culinary curiosity, and business acumen to guide food and beverage innovation. The Manager ensures that guest needs, behaviors, preferences, and emerging trends ...

Lyons Magnus LLC

Beverage Culinarian

Fresno, CA · Remote

$130K - $165K/yr

Description Lyons Magnus leads the food industry with creativity and innovation, crafting top ... Ability to influence and lead cross-functionally while managing multiple projects and priorities in ...

Wines Worldwide Directory

OLIPOP is hiring an Innovation Manager, a remote role reporting to the VP of Innovation. The ... beverage business. About the role This is a commercially analytical innovation role rather than a ...

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Beverage Innovation Manager information

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$33K

$68.4K

$90.5K

How much do beverage innovation manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for beverage innovation manager in the United States is $68,397.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,500.00 and $79,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a beverage innovation manager do?

A Beverage Innovation Manager is responsible for developing new drink concepts and products for a company, often working with cross-functional teams such as marketing, research and development, and supply chain. Their role involves identifying market trends, creating prototypes, testing new flavors or formulations, and ensuring that new beverages meet quality and regulatory standards. They also analyze consumer preferences and competitor products to ensure their company stays ahead in the market. Overall, they play a key role in driving innovation and growth within the beverage industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a beverage innovation manager?

To thrive as a Beverage Innovation Manager, you need expertise in product development, market analysis, and food science, often supported by a degree in food technology or a related field. Familiarity with sensory evaluation tools, formulation software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Creativity, project management, and strong communication skills help drive cross-functional collaboration and successful product launches. These skills ensure that new beverages meet consumer trends, comply with regulations, and achieve business objectives in a competitive market.

How does a beverage innovation manager typically collaborate with other departments to bring new products to market?

A Beverage Innovation Manager works closely with cross-functional teams including R&D, marketing, production, and quality assurance to develop and launch new beverages. They initiate brainstorming sessions, coordinate prototype testing, and ensure that product concepts align with market trends and consumer preferences. Regular communication with supply chain and procurement teams is also essential to ensure ingredient availability and cost-effectiveness. This collaborative approach ensures that new products are not only innovative but also feasible and aligned with business goals.

What is the difference between Beverage Innovation Manager vs Beverage Product Developer?

AspectBeverage Innovation ManagerBeverage Product Developer
Primary FocusOversees new beverage concepts, market trends, and innovation strategiesDesigns and develops specific beverage products from concept to prototype
Required SkillsMarket analysis, leadership, project managementFormulation, testing, technical beverage development
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, cross-functional teams, R&D departmentsLaboratory, production, and testing facilities

While both roles involve beverage development, the Beverage Innovation Manager focuses on leading innovation strategies and market trends, whereas the Beverage Product Developer concentrates on creating and refining specific beverage formulations. The manager guides the overall innovation process, while the developer executes product-specific tasks.

What are popular job titles related to Beverage Innovation Manager jobs?

For Beverage Innovation Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Beverage Innovation Manager job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,397 per year, or $32.9 per hour.

Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights

Newton, MA • On-site

Panera Bread
Restaurants • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Panera Breadexternal

$104K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Panera Bread rating

5.4

Company rating: 5.4 out of 10

Based on 1,471 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Manager, Sensory & Consumer Insights
The Manager of Sensory & Consumer Insights is a strategic leader responsible for shaping the future of the brand's food and beverage portfolio through deep sensory/product insights. This role combines research expertise, culinary curiosity, and business acumen to guide food and beverage innovation. The Manager ensures that guest needs, behaviors, preferences, and emerging trends are translated into actionable insights that drive menu development.
Reporting to the Vice President, Consumer Insights, this role serves as a key partner to Culinary, Marketing, and cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, validate innovation, and build a guest-centered product pipeline.
Scope of Responsibilities
  • Sensory & Consumer Insights

  • Lead all sensory and consumer research initiatives supporting food and beverage innovation, optimization, and performance.

  • Design and execute quantitative and qualitative research studies, including sensory evaluations and product testing.

  • Develop research objectives, questionnaires, discussion guides, and reporting frameworks that deliver actionable insights.

  • Partner closely with Culinary and Marketing teams to inform long-term menu strategy, innovation priorities, and product development decisions.

  • Identify white space opportunities, emerging food and beverage trends, competitive learnings, and unmet guest needs to fuel future innovation.

  • Translate guest insights into clear recommendations that improve product quality, guest satisfaction, and business performance.

  • Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Collaborate closely with Culinary teams to translate insights into prototypes and optimize products.

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to Marketing, Culinary, Operations, and Leadership teams by providing strategic recommendations grounded in data and consumer understanding.

  • Present findings and business implications to senior leadership with clarity, confidence, and influence.

  • Champion a consumer-first mindset across the organization and advocate for guest insights throughout the product development process.

  • Research Excellence & Methodology

  • Design and oversee custom research programs utilizing a range of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, surveys, and sensory panels.

  • Moderate focus groups and qualitative sessions as needed.

  • Execute in-house testing initiatives and work collaboratively with cross-functional partners to ensure seamless study implementation.

  • Apply advanced analytical techniques and sensory evaluation tools to uncover meaningful insights and opportunities.

  • Manage external research agencies and suppliers, ensuring high-quality deliverables, methodological rigor, timelines, and budget efficiency.

  • Continuously evolve research practices by incorporating innovative methodologies, technologies, and best practices.

Qualifications
  • Experience & Expertise

  • 5+ years of experience in consumer insights, sensory research, market research, or product innovation, preferably within the restaurant, foodservice, food and beverage, or consumer packaged goods industries.

  • Demonstrated success influencing product development and menu innovation

  • through consumer-driven insights.

  • Experience managing sensory testing programs and translating findings into actionable recommendations.

  • Skills & Competencies

  • Strong understanding of sensory research methodologies and consumer research techniques.

  • Experience designing, conducting and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative studies.

  • Exceptional storytelling, presentation, and communication skills.

  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

  • Proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across functions and organizational levels.

  • Proficiency with research, survey, and data visualization tools.

  • Willingness and ability to travel as needed to support testing.

  • Performance & Success Measures

Success in this role will be demonstrated through:
  • A food and beverage innovation pipeline rooted in deep guest understanding.

  • Tangible impact on menu performance, guest satisfaction, and innovation success rates.

  • Clear, influential insights that shape critical culinary and marketing decisions.

  • Strong partnerships across Culinary, Marketing, and Operations teams.

  • Efficient and effective execution of sensory and consumer research programs.

  • Identification of emerging trends and opportunities that support long-term brand growth.

Competitive Pay-$104,942 to $125,930 annually.
The actual pay offered will be determined by multiple factors, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, job-related knowledge, skills, and geographical location. Individual compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
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About Panera Bread

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Panera began in 1987 as St. Louis Bread Company, a humble community bakery founded with a sourdough starter from San Francisco and a dream of putting a loaf of bread in every arm. While our business has expanded well beyond St. Louis since then, that same sourdough starter is still used in our iconic sourdough bread and the craft of baking bread fresh each day remains at the heart of Panera Bread. Each day our trained bakers fill our bakery shelves with delicious freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads from focaccia to classic baguettes. We believe in serving delicious, freshly prepared, Clean food made with carefully selected ingredients that we are proud to serve our own families. Our menu, crafted by chefs and bakers, features classic, comforting dishes, each with an intriguing twist. We respect our planet and take measures to lessen our impacts. We believe in treating people with warmth, kindness, and respect, whether it’s a guest in our cafe or one of our associates. And we believe in helping our local communities, especially in times of need.

Industry

Restaurants

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

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