Vice President, Marketing Innovation

Overview

The Vice President, Marketing Innovation will be a leading stakeholder of the strategy, development, and commercialization of breakthrough product innovations and renovations across the Dog & Cat portfolio. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on go-to-market execution, owning the innovation roadmap, partnering cross-functionally with R&D, Creative, Blue Sky, Insights, Sales and Supply Chain. This is a critical leadership role in the Marketing function to drive portfolio development and innovation executional excellence.

This role requires candidates to report on-site to our Neptune City, NJ facility 5x a week.

• Innovation Strategy & Road Mapping:
  Drive the 3–5 year innovation and renovation agenda aligned to consumer trends, category dynamics, and business objectives.
• Identify whitespace opportunities through insights, market analysis, competitive mapping, and trend forecasting.
• Partner with senior leadership to prioritize initiatives based on growth potential, feasibility, and strategic fit.

• Steward the end-to-end NPD process in cross functional partnership from idea generation and concept development through validation, formulation, packaging, and commercialization.
• Drive cross-functional alignment across R&D, Creative, Blue Sky, Insights, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure successful launches.
• Establish and oversee stage-gate processes, governance routines, and documentation for innovation projects.

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing innovation marketing team of approximately 6 direct reports across marketing and project management.
• Foster organizational alignment, clarity, and accountability across departments to ensure timely, on-budget project delivery.

• Own financial impact for innovation initiatives including revenue, margin, trial, repeat, and velocity targets.
• Set and manage KPIs for launch performance and ongoing post-launch evaluation.
• Provide leadership with clear reporting, insights, and strategic recommendations to adjust plans as needed.

• Required
  
  Skills & Experience:
  
  10+ years marketing experience in CPG, with significant ownership of strategic innovation planning and the new product development process.
• Developed long-term innovation strategies, which have driven incremental revenue.
• Proven track record launching successful consumer-packaged goods (national or multi-channel) with measurable business impact.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams (R&D, Insights, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance) and managing complex stakeholder matrices.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience owning P&L or major revenue-driving initiatives; comfortable setting targets and reporting against KPIs.
• Deep expertise in consumer & shopper insights, concepting, packaging, and go-to-market execution.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills — experience presenting to senior leadership and retail partners.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, rapid prioritization, and driving change across the organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field; advanced degree (MBA) preferred.

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
• Experience working with e-commerce channels and digital marketing innovation.
• Background building innovation processes (stage-gate, rapid prototyping, commercialization).
• Experience in sustainable packaging, cost-to-serve optimization, or value-added premiumization strategies.

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Free Life and Disability Insurance.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 401 (k) with a 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to thousands of free online courses.
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications).
• Referral Program with a cash bonus.
• Access to…