The Brand Manager - Foodservice Innovation is responsible for driving sustainable growth within the Foodservice Business Unit through insights-based new product innovation and current portfolio optimization. She/he will be responsible for developing a multi-year innovation pipeline (inclusive of both brand and customer-driven products, as well as packaging), and leading innovation from ideation through commercialization. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter, who challenges the status quo, and balances creativity while working within or developing processes. The role reports to the Director, FS Marketing and Business Development with whom annual targets, strategic plans, and long-range portfolio and profitability targets will be established.

Principle Accountabilities

Create a best-in-class framework (aligned to “Jobs Theory”) to identify and validate innovation concepts, resulting in an insights-based rolling 3-year innovation pipeline aligned to FSBU strat plans
Lead cross-functional teams (including regular collaboration at Idaho Falls headquarters) to develop concepts into commercialized products; champion all new FS products through the Idahoan NPE and S&OP processes
Design and execute commercialization launch plans to drive operator sales and distributor slots, including marketing activities, sales enablement, budget, and KPIs/leading indicators; collaborate with sales leadership and sales team members as needed; evaluate success and implement key learnings for future launches
Collaborate with Sales to develop customer-led innovation as required, balancing internal minimum thresholds and customer needs
Mine research and data to uncover insights that inform portfolio decisions and innovation pipeline; serve as the FS research point-of-contact including budget management, vendor interactions, and facilitating regular data sharing (including presentation development) with the FS and Retail teams
Collaborate with Retail and identify opportunities for synergies across innovation products and processes; lead projects, meetings, and presentations across BUs as required
Submit trademarks, messaging, etc. to internal and external legal teams and serve as point-of-contact for legal matters related to innovation
Additional duties and responsibilities as needed

Alignment With Core Values Of The Company

Respect & Value Our People
Stay in Front of Change While Reducing Costs
Delight our Customers
Food Quality & Safety

Professional Qualifications/Required Skills Of The Position

Education and/or Experience:Bachelor’s Degree with 5+ years CPG food/beverage brand management experience, with at least 3 years in innovation. MBA/Master’s Degree in Marketing and Foodservice brand management/marketing experience strongly preferred.

Business Acumen:A thorough understanding of marketing and business functions within a CPG company is necessary. Sales & operations planning (S&OP) and/or integrated business planning (IBP) experience is a plus. Proven ability to deliver innovation initiatives that have contributed significant gains in the capture of market share, revenue and volume growth, and operational efficiencies.

Research and Insights Skills:High degree of competency leveraging CPG research sources (Technomic, Datassential, etc.) and internal business systems (operator sales data) to extrapolate insights and apply key learnings that drive portfolio and innovation decisions.

Language Skills:Ability to prepare, format, proofread, and edit documents which are succinct and professional. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong capability in preparing and conducting professional and compelling presentations in person and virtually to all levels of interna stakeholders.

Reasoning Ability:Possess strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills. Must have the ability to apply experience, common sense, and business acumen to a variety of situations, processes, and people. Understand the impact to sales and profit of decisions on our portfolio. Organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously while consistently advancing the innovation process overall.

Interpersonal Skills: Strong collaboration and influencing skills are required. Must possess a superior capability in cultivating relationships and managing internal cross-functionals and stakeholders at all level positions.

Computer Skills:Must be proficient with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel (including advanced functions EG: V-lookup), PowerPoint presentations including graphs and charts; and the ability to independently format professional documents and presentations.

Work Environment:Travel up to 30%, based upon business needs (including monthly trips to Idaho Falls corporate headquarters). Work from a remote location, requiring strong sense of self-discipline and self-reliance. Must be self-motivated while collaborating with the FS team and highly accountable for individual and team results.