Innovation Manager - Harmless Harvest

Harmless Harvest envisions a world where nutritious, clean, organic, and healthy food and beverages are the standard rather than the exception; where all people involved in creating the product are treated with fairness; and the planet is treated harmlessly. We are focused on changing the world, and we are always looking for like-minded, wildly passionate individuals to help us do this. Join the #HarmlessMovement

About the Role:

The Innovation Manager will be key in driving the growth of Harmless Harvest through new product development. Working closely with R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, and other cross-functional partners they will bring the best-tasting products to market. This position requires a high level of collaboration across departments and a commensurate level of entrepreneurship, creative thinking and organization.

We are looking for someone who loves diving deep into the details while keeping a close eye on bigger picture business impact of everyday decisions. You love owning projects beginning to end and are looking for a challenge in a fast-paced start-up environment. You are both detail-oriented and agile, able to keep project components on track while brining creative problem solving when things don’t go as planned.

What you’ll be doing:

• Spearhead the development and execution of new product and packaging innovation initiatives, including concept development, category and competitive assessments, feasibility, product and packaging exploration, size of prize assessment, and project management of all commercialization activities.
• Develop and manage new product timelines, key action items, stage gate process and key milestones, identifying and highlighting risks and contingencies throughout the lifecycle and build and present recommendations for paths forward to the leadership team.
• Identify growth opportunities by leveraging syndicated research, trend data, primary market research, and competitive intelligence.
• Run cross-functional project meetings, maintain organized project folders and documents, hold team members accountable for tasks required to keep projects moving forward
• Develop COGS and margins for all new products, ensuring they hit financial targets; work with cross-functional teams on any required cost optimization
• Work with Brand, Marketing and Sales partners to develop the business case for new products, using a combination of consumer research and insights, syndicated data, and market trends
• Own knowledge of and reporting on data for new items, gathering data fueled insights to inform actions for the business
• Head front end product brainstorms/innovation sessions
• Some light travel (~10%) and cross-time-zone communication (1-2x/week)

Requirements

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of work experience in product innovation or project management, preferably in food/CPG
• Experience with timeline management tools (Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, other Gantt timeline tools)
• Excellent communicator across all disciplines and levels, both internally and externally
• Proven ability to use out of the box thinking to solve problems, propose solutions, and pivot when unexpected problems arise
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and create/maintain project momentum
• Experience working with syndicated data and evaluating trends
• Interest in the Natural/Organic Foods industry, with an eye towards new products and trends
• Comfort with and a willingness to learn the technical elements of food R&D and Supply Chain

Who you are:

• Make the impossible, possible – someone who is resilient, optimistic, and determined.
• Protect the most vulnerable – someone who is compassionate, empathetic and acts with integrity
• Craft incredible things – someone who is creative, passionate, with keen attention to detail
• Act with heart – someone who is kind, generous and respectful

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Free Food & Snacks

Salary Range: $105,000 - $115,000*

*The salary range for this role may vary above or below the posted range as determined by location. This range has not been adjusted for any specific geographic differential applicable by area where the position may be filled. Compensation takes into account several factors incluing but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, relevant certifications, department equity, traning and organizational needs. Base pay is just one liece of the total rewards program offered by Harmless Harvest which includes comprehensive perks and health benefits.

At Harmless Harvest, we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as catalysts for innovation and success. We are dedicated to fostering a team with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, believing that this enriches our creativity and strengthens our service to customers and communities alike. 

Harmless Harvest is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Harmless Harvest via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Harmless Harvest. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Harmless Harvest as a result of the referral or through other means.