Product Innovation Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Product Innovation Manager will be responsible for identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative sweet and savory snack concepts across the Garrett Brands portfolio, including popcorn and other confectionery products. This role will partner closely with Marketing, Operations, Sales, and other cross-functional teams to identify consumer trends, emerging flavors, and market opportunities that drive new product innovation and support the company's strategic growth objectives.

The Product Innovation Manager will lead the development of new product concepts from ideation through commercialization, leveraging consumer insights, competitive analysis, and culinary trends to create differentiated products that strengthen the Garrett brand and deliver exceptional consumer experiences.

Principal Duties:

• Own and manage innovation pipeline, including new products, seasonal offerings, limited time offers, collaborations, and future innovation platforms. Work independently to move projects through the process to meet the assigned goals.
• Responsible for creating and refining specifications for flavor profiles and development, including matching flavor profiles to create uniquely delicious line extensions.
• Research consumer behavior, culinary trends, retailer insights, and competitive activity to identify whitespace opportunities and anticipate emerging trends.
• Manage and facilitate internal and, when appropriate, external sensory events including steps leading up to and following each event. Revise formulations and programs based on customer and associate sensory feedback.
• Monitor competitors, emerging brands, restaurants, and global food trends to inspire future innovation. Work to procure and analyze the best taste profiles that are innovative and, or trending.
• Collaborate cross-functionally through each stage of the product development process.
• Assist in managing partners and co-packers engaged by Garrett in the product development and manufacturing process.
• Partner with ingredient suppliers, packaging vendors, and manufacturing partners to identify innovative ingredients and capabilities.
• Develop and maintain a multi-year innovation roadmap.
• Translate consumer insights into actionable product opportunities.
• Evaluate ideas based on consumer demand, operational feasibility, profitability, and brand fit.
• Attend industry events and monitor food, flavor, ingredient, and packaging trends.

Essential Functions:

• Ability to work well individually as well as in a team environment
• Sense of urgency to move projects to successful completion
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as detail oriented and strong organizational skills
• Agility to move from project to project seamlessly and to embrace change and opinion.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Proven self-starter with demonstrated ability to make decisions, handle multiple projects, and has solid leadership skills
• Ability to evaluate and make recommendations on products or processes based on their sensorial attributes with a strong sense of flavor perception and trends in the industry
• Ability to taste all food

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in Food Science or Culinary Arts, Certified Culinary Scientist, Certified Research Chef, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in product innovation, commercialization, or product development within CPG, food, or beverage.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with retail food and beverage with an emphasis on confections is preferred.

·       Passion for food innovation, culinary creativity, and consumer experiences.

·       Experience commercializing new products.

·       Innovative packing development, preferred, but not required

·       Consumer research and trend forecasting is preferred.

·       Experience working with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers, preferred, but not required

·       Manage and facilitate packaging methods for innovations, preferred, but not required

Compensation

·       The anticipated salary range for this position is $120,000 - $135,000. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a few factors, including your job-related knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience.  Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance; Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance; Employer paid life insurance and eligibility to participate in the company 401(k) plan with annual discretionary match.   This position will need to be onsite in our Aurora, Illinois location at least 3-4x a week.