Brand Manager, Innovation

Position Summary

The Brand Manager, Innovation will play a critical role in shaping and executing Calbee’s innovation agenda. This role will be responsible for managing the innovation pipeline, translating consumer and category insights into compelling product concepts, and leading cross‑functional teams from idea through commercialization across multiple retail channels. Partnering closely with R&D, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Brand Marketing, the Brand Manager, Innovation will ensure projects are delivered on time, on strategy, and with strong commercial impact through disciplined project management and hands‑on execution.

• Support the development and execution of Calbee’s innovation pipeline, including line extensions and white‑space opportunities aligned with brand and business priorities.
• Translate consumer insights, category trends, and competitive learnings into clear innovation concepts with strong consumer benefits and commercial potential.
• Partner closely with Innovation and Brand leadership to refine product propositions, positioning, and target consumers.
• Serve as the project manager for assigned innovation projects, owning timelines, milestones, risks, and deliverables.
• Lead cross‑functional teams through Calbee’s Stage Gate process, coordinating efforts across R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, Quality, and external partners.
• Partner with R&D and Product Development to support formulation development, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
• Drive consumer validation activities (concept tests, IHUTs, sensory tests) and translate learnings into actionable refinements.
• Work closely with Brand Marketing and Sales to support sell‑in strategies, go‑to‑market plans, and post‑launch tracking.
• Monitor market trends, category adjacencies, and emerging consumer behaviors to inform future pipeline opportunities.

• +5 years of experience in Brand Management, Innovation, or Marketing, preferably within CPG or food & beverage
• Hands‑on experience supporting innovation projects from concept through launch
• Strong project management skills with experience coordinating cross‑functional teams
• Exposure to Stage Gate or structured innovation processes
• Experience with tools such as Nielsen, Numerator, or similar
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field (MBA a plus but not required)
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort working in a fast‑paced, agile environment

Calbee North America is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non‑discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, citizenship, ancestry, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or familial status or any other legally protected status.