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Innovation Manager information

See Georgia salary details

$9.3K

$82.4K

$97.9K

How much do innovation manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation manager in Georgia is $82,398.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,200.00 and $88,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an innovation manager do?

Innovation managers design processes or help implement new technologies that improve operations at a company or aids development of new products or services. Specific job duties vary, depending on the company and industry. But all innovation managers must have several years of experience in their particular industry and have a history of cultivating ideas from inception through production or implementation. Innovation managers usually research market trends and facilitate brainstorming sessions within their company. They can recognize good opportunities and turn them into profitable products or creative solutions for their company.

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

Innovation Managers often work closely with departments such as R&D, marketing, operations, and IT to identify opportunities and implement creative solutions. They facilitate brainstorming sessions, coordinate pilot projects, and ensure alignment between different teams to move ideas from concept to execution. Strong communication and project management skills are essential for building consensus and tracking progress, making the role highly interactive and collaborative. This cross-functional teamwork not only fosters diverse perspectives but also accelerates the adoption of innovative practices across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an innovation manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Innovation Manager, you need a strong background in business strategy, project management, and creative problem-solving, often supported by a relevant degree and experience driving innovation initiatives. Familiarity with innovation management platforms, design thinking methodologies, and data analysis tools is highly valuable. Exceptional communication, leadership, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for influencing stakeholders and fostering a culture of innovation. These skills enable Innovation Managers to effectively identify opportunities, implement new ideas, and drive organizational growth in a competitive market.

What is the difference between Innovation Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovation ManagerProduct Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often MBA or related certificationsBachelor's degree; often MBA or related certifications
Work EnvironmentFocus on developing new ideas, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationFocus on product lifecycle, market research, customer needs, and product delivery
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries to foster innovation and growthCommon in tech, retail, and manufacturing sectors for product development

While both roles require strategic thinking and collaboration, Innovation Managers focus on creating and implementing new ideas and strategies, whereas Product Managers oversee the development and lifecycle of specific products. Understanding these differences helps organizations assign the right responsibilities and candidates for each role.

More about Innovation Manager jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Innovation jobs in Georgia?

The most popular types of Innovation jobs in Georgia are:

What are popular job titles related to Innovation Manager jobs in Georgia?

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

What job categories do people searching Innovation Manager jobs in Georgia look for?

The top searched job categories for Innovation Manager jobs in Georgia are:

What cities in Georgia are hiring for Innovation Manager jobs?

Cities in Georgia with the most Innovation Manager job openings:

Innovation Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Innovation Manager job openings in Georgia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,398 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Culinary Innovation Manager (Sonic)

Inspire Brands, Inc.

Sandy Springs, GA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Inspire Brands rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 106 rated fast food restaurants

Job description

The Culinary Innovation Manager should bring a creative viewpoint to all new product development, while delivering relevant food and beverage concepts to the SONIC guest. This position will lead and manage product development of new products and execution of strategic initiatives as it relates to all segments and dayparts from concept approval to product launch, including bringing concepts to life through consumer and in-store testing. It will be critical for this role to partner with cross-functional teams to deliver products that best meet successful criteria for consumer, operations & financial goals.
Responsibilities:
  • Support the Product Innovation team and Director of Culinary in delivering against organizational and personal goals, objectives, and strategies
  • Work independently on development projects, with check-ins and guidance from supervisor as needed
  • Participate in the creation of new product development objectives while collaborating with cross functional teams including Category Management, Brand Experience, Operations, Procurement, Commercialization, Quality Assurance, and others as appropriate
  • Independently work with vendor partners to develop new products from gold-standard products to initial benchtop samples and through commercialization process. Own development of products.
  • Make recommendations for improvements to current prototypes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams in the development and creation of product specifications on commercialized products with vendor partners, Commercialization Quality Assurance, and other teams as necessary
  • Lead product taste tests and new product showings
  • Present product improvement/change recommendations based on taste test results and/or feedback to Culinary Innovation leadership Partner with Procurement Team to develop accurate food & paper formulas.
  • Plan and execute Product Showcase events to (and not limited to) SONIC Senior Management, Board of Directors, Franchise Community, Marketing Leadership, Shareholders & SONIC National Convention
  • Provide guidance and support to other product developers
  • Other duties assigned as needed

Requirements:
  • 2 Year Degree Preferred - A culinary or Food related degree is preferred for this position
  • 3-5 years' experience in a culinary or product development role required. Experience in QSR culinary development highly preferred
  • Ability to think strategically, be detail oriented and respond quickly to business needs
  • Bring creativity to menu development and trend dives for the team
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, especially the ability to explain difficult concepts and insights in applicable business terms. Ability to summarize insights into PowerPoint presentations in clear and understandable calls to action.
  • Ability to collaborate and motivate across the operations, supply chain, field, and marketing teams.
  • Self-starter with the ability to project manage and handle multiple assignments simultaneously and meet all desired deadlines.
  • Strong leadership, sales support, project management and training skills
  • Understanding how to take products or programs through a development and testing process
  • Effective problem-solving skills and ability to listen and translate details accurately
  • Should possess an innate curiosity and growth mindset

At SONIC, we encourage and attract wildly creative people. Bold, unique personalities whose passion for what they do shows in the food, the experience and the culture of our brand. Sound like you? Join us as we deliver delightful and delicious moments to our guests!
Inspire is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 33,000 Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and SONIC restaurants worldwide.
We're made up of some of the world's most iconic restaurant brands, but we're much more than just a restaurant company. We're a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple-it's an experience. At Inspire, that's our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.

What Inspire Brands employees say

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About Inspire Brands

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Inspire Brands Inc., located in Atlanta, GA, United States, operates in the foodservice industry as a multi-brand restaurant company, making it among the biggest restaurant companies globally. Their portfolio includes well-known restaurant brands such as Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, and Jimmy John's, reflecting their commitment to innovation and quality. Founded in 2018 as a result of a consolidation of various restaurant brands under one corporate umbrella, Inspire Brands was formed with a vision to invigorate excellent brands and supercharge their long-term growth.

Industry

Food services and drinking places

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Atlanta, GA, US

Year founded

2018

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