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Innovation Manager Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

WI · On-site

$110 - $140/hr

Acts as general manager for assigned innovation and marketing plans, providing thought leadership and influencing others to action. Your Passion. Our Culture. At Sargento, you work for a company you ...

General Purpose of Job The Retail Innovation Project Manager (RIPM) oversees the concepting, planning, production and execution of all In-Store structural projects, large-scale/complex campaigns ...

General Purpose of Job The Retail Innovation Project Manager (RIPM) oversees the concepting, planning, production and execution of all In-Store structural projects, large-scale/complex campaigns ...

General Purpose of Job The Retail Innovation Project Manager (RIPM) oversees the concepting, planning, production and execution of all In-Store structural projects, large-scale/complex campaigns ...

General Purpose of Job The Retail Innovation Project Manager (RIPM) oversees the concepting, planning, production and execution of all In-Store structural projects, large-scale/complex campaigns ...

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Showing results 1-20

Innovation Manager information

See Wisconsin salary details

$11.1K

$98.5K

$117.1K

How much do innovation manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation manager in Wisconsin is $98,496.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,900.00 and $105,500.00 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.

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

The most popular types of Innovation jobs in Wisconsin are:

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

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

What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Innovation Manager jobs?

Cities in Wisconsin with the most Innovation Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Innovation Manager job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,496 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Marketing and Innovation Manager - FSI

Sargento

Plymouth, WI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


Sargento rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 23 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 445 rated food and drinks producers


Job description

As a member of the FSI team, the Marketing & Innovation Manager is responsible for leading the development and execution of innovation initiatives and marketing campaigns to achieve annual operating plan profit and volume. Acts as general manager for assigned innovation and marketing plans, providing thought leadership and influencing other to action.

Your Story.

As a member of the FSI team, the Marketing & Innovation Manager is responsible for leading the development and execution of innovation initiatives and marketing campaigns to achieve annual operating plan profit and volume. Acts as general manager for assigned innovation and marketing plans, providing thought leadership and influencing others to action.

Your Passion. Our Culture.

At Sargento, you work for a company you believe in, with a family of people who believe in you.  Our culture stems from a simple premise: Hire good people and treat them like family.  At Sargento, you can make decisions based on how they affect people as well as the long-term health of our company.  You will be encouraged to make a meaningful difference in the community, in the company and in your career.  With diverse experiences and tools to learn and develop, you can transform your aspirations into reality.  If you’re ready for the right place to belong and grow your career, you can find it here.

Benefits that set us apart.

  • Comprehensive medical including Fertility, Adoption benefits, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • Remote ½ day Fridays
  • Onsite Health & Wellness Center
  • Employer 401K contribution in the top 1% of the nation
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Access to Employee Store

What You Do.  

  • Innovation
    • Oversee the planning and execution of Customer Innovation Sessions/Engagements and present capabilities and concepts in these sessions
    • Participate in the development and implementation of strategies and action plans to achieve strategic goals, including identification of new Opportunity Houses
    • Collaborate with Sales, Insights, R&D and Culinary teams to develop compelling customer presentations
    • Monitor industry, customer and consumer trends and make recommendations for action plans and programs to inform potential new spaces
    • Facilitate Customer Discovery to uncover new opportunity areas and support key Customer innovation initiatives
    • Manage and report FSI Innovation Pipeline health to meet innovation targets
    • Lead the vetting of new projects and stage gate process to develop and commercialize new products
  • Marketing
    • Provide strategic directions to inform creation of Opportunity House initiatives, marketing campaigns and other brand assets
    • Manage the development and execution of various Innovation & Marketing updates in a variety of forums (Monthly BU meetings, Annual Sales Meeting, Quarterly Sales Huddles, Monthly Portfolio reviews, etc)
    • Collaborate with Sales to identify and implement appropriate Industry and Customer Events aligning to our customer engagement strategy
    • Work collaboratively with CP/NPD to launch CP innovation and leverage Sargento Brand in FSI
  • Additional Responsibilities
    • Manage direct report(s) to facilitate innovation success and successful development of personnel. Ensure appropriate development opportunities are available for subordinates to prepare them for expected career growth
    • Lead cross-functional project teams to support our innovation and core projects
    • Oversee CRM platform and identifies enhancements to streamline workflows
    • Represent Marketing/Innovation function in FSI Business Teams
    • Meet the organizational/functional competencies related to role.
  • Travel 30-40%

Your Education and Experience.

  • Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university required.
  • Master’s degree/MBA strongly preferred.
  • 5+ years CPG Marketing/Sales experience required.
  • New product line extension required
  • Supervising experience preferred
  • Cross functional leadership required
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Syndicated data analysis (Circana & Datassential)

Our Story.

With over 2,400+ employees and net sales of nearly $1.8 billion, Sargento is a family-owned company that has been a leader in cheese for more than 70 years.  We created the world’s first, successful pre-packaged sliced and shredded natural cheeses.  Sargento is based in Plymouth, Wisconsin, where we manufacture and market shredded, sliced and snack natural cheese products, as well as ingredients and sauces.  Sargento is known for the exceptional quality of our products and for product design, packaging and merchandising innovations that have transformed our industry.

To learn more about our culture and values, please visit our website at https://careers.sargento.com/us/en.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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About Sargento

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Food and drink manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Plymouth, WI, US

Year founded

1953