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Innovation Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Utz Brands, Inc.

Director, R&D Innovation

Hanover, PA · On-site

Director, R&D Innovation The Director, R&D Innovation is responsible for leading the product development innovation agenda for Utz Brands products. This role partners with the brand business team ...

PepsiCo

Manager, Innovation and Indicate

Plano, TX · On-site

$110K - $185K/yr

Innovation Development: Leading the consumer agenda as a key input to our innovation development and optimization * Innovation Transformation: Identify, develop and champion new capabilities and ways ...

Mondelez International

$97K - $133K/yr

Support the development of brand innovation strategy, in partnership with the Director, to develop a multi-year innovation pipeline that aligns with the brand growth strategy and is sufficient to ...

Mondelez International

Associate Manager, Innovation

$97K - $133K/yr

Support the development of brand innovation strategy, in partnership with the Director, to develop a multi-year innovation pipeline that aligns with the brand growth strategy and is sufficient to ...

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Innovation Development information

See salary details

$33K

$77.4K

$133K

How much do innovation development jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation development in the United States is $77,438.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is innovation development?

Innovation Development refers to the process of creating, refining, and implementing new ideas, products, services, or processes within an organization. Professionals in this field work to identify opportunities for improvement, foster creative thinking, and turn innovative concepts into actionable solutions that drive business growth and competitiveness. This often involves cross-functional collaboration, research, prototyping, and staying up-to-date with industry trends. Innovation Development is crucial for organizations aiming to remain relevant and succeed in rapidly changing markets.

How does an innovation development professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive new initiatives?

Innovation Development professionals frequently work alongside colleagues from product, engineering, marketing, and executive teams to conceptualize, prototype, and launch new solutions. This collaboration often involves facilitating brainstorming sessions, gathering feedback from stakeholders, and ensuring alignment between different departments. Effective communication and project management skills are crucial, as these professionals must balance creative thinking with practical execution. Regular meetings, workshops, and iterative feedback loops are standard practices to keep projects on track and foster a culture of innovation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in innovation development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Innovation Development, you need strong problem-solving abilities, creativity, and a background in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with innovation management tools, project management software, and methodologies like Design Thinking or Agile is typically required. Excellent communication, collaboration, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for driving and implementing new ideas. These skills and qualities are essential for successfully developing and executing innovative solutions that keep organizations competitive and forward-thinking.

What is the difference between Innovation Development vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovation DevelopmentProduct Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Business, Engineering, or related fields; often some experience in R&D or innovation rolesBachelor's or higher in Business, Marketing, or related fields; often certifications like PMP
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, innovation hubsCross-functional teams, product development departments, marketing
Employer & Industry UsageTech, manufacturing, R&D-focused companiesTech, consumer goods, software, and various industries

Innovation Development focuses on creating new ideas, products, or processes, often in R&D settings. Product Managers oversee the development and lifecycle of specific products, coordinating teams to meet market needs. While both roles involve innovation, Innovation Development emphasizes idea generation and research, whereas Product Managers focus on bringing products to market and managing their success.

What are careers in innovation development?

Careers in innovation development involve creating and implementing new ideas, products, or processes to improve business performance. Roles may include innovation manager, R&D specialist, or product developer, often requiring skills in creativity, project management, and familiarity with industry tools. These positions are typically found in technology, manufacturing, and service sectors focused on growth and competitive advantage.
More about Innovation Development jobs

What job categories do people searching Innovation Development jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Innovation Development jobs are:

Innovation Development jobs near you
Infographic showing various Innovation Development job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,438 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Director, R&D Innovation

Utz Brands, Inc.

Hanover, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 8 days ago

Job description

At Utz Brands, we're on a mission to create the next generation of snacks consumers crave. With more than 100 years of heritage and a growing portfolio of iconic brands-including Utz®, Zapp's®, Boulder Canyon®, and On The Border®-we are redefining what innovation looks like in the snacking industry.
We're looking for an exceptional Director, R&D Innovation to lead breakthrough product development initiatives that will fuel the future growth of our business. This is a highly visible leadership role where you'll combine science, creativity, and strategic thinking to bring exciting new products from concept to commercialization.
The Opportunity: Director, R&D Innovation
The Director, R&D Innovation is responsible for leading the product development innovation agenda for Utz Brands products. This role partners with the brand business team's innovation lead, manages a team of product developers, and leads select product development projects from concept through commercialization. The Director establishes and applies a scientifically sound, efficient approach to innovation; collaborates cross-functionally with Procurement, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Packaging, Value Creation, and other R&D groups; and builds external relationships with ingredient suppliers, processing equipment suppliers, universities, and other technology providers to support business objectives and advance innovation initiatives.
What You'll Do:
  • Manages direct reports to execute against project objectives in a timely and professional manner.
  • Partners with the Brand innovation leader to generate ideas and advance approved projects.
  • Works closely with cross-functional departments such as Procurement and Manufacturing.
  • Establishes a scientifically robust yet nimble approach to product development.
  • Effectively prioritizes and allocates resources, both human and financial, against initiatives.
  • Develops and implements best practices to enable effective innovation development.
  • Owns and leads select projects and initiatives.
  • Collaborates with other R&D groups such as Value Creation, Regulatory, and Packaging to accomplish objectives and manage the R&D site.
  • Establishes working relationships with ingredient suppliers, processing equipment suppliers, universities, and other technology providers to leverage resources, generate ideas, and advance initiatives.
  • Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall outcome of company and department objectives.

What You Bring:
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Food Engineering, or a related field required.

Experience
  • 10-15 years of product development experience in the food and beverage industry, preferably salty snacks.
  • Proven track record of developing innovative products from concept through lab/pilot scale to manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of seasonings, extrusion, frying, and/or baking applications preferred.

Skills
  • Demonstrated leadership and team-building competencies.
  • Ability to think critically and exercise complex problem-solving skills while simplifying information to drive decisions.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Self-directed and forward-thinking, with the ability to make complex decisions that drive business innovation and performance.
  • Comfortable presenting recommendations and findings to management and cross-functional teams.
  • Excellent time and project management skills, with a proven ability to manage and prioritize multiple, concurrent projects.

External Recruitment Process:
  • Easy Application (5 mins): Introduce yourself and answer a few key questions to get started.
  • Engaging Chat Interview (20-25 mins): Share your experiences in an online chat, highlighting how your values align with ours.
  • Live Interview: Selected candidates will meet with the hiring manager to explore their alignment with the team and overall Utz company culture.

Why Utz?
We believe in taking care of our people. Our benefits include:
  • Medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Employer-matched 401(k)
  • Profit sharing, bonus plan, employee stock purchase plans
  • Career growth opportunities in a supportive, inclusive environment

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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