Product Innovation Manager

Role: Product Innovation Manager

Lead the development of new pet nutrition products, formats, and innovation initiatives across a portfolio of consumer pet brands.

Responsibilities

• Innovation strategy & opportunity identification: Support and execute innovation strategies aligned with brand and business growth goals.
• Market & consumer trend monitoring: Identify emerging opportunities across areas like functional nutrition, premium ingredients, alternative proteins, and evolving feeding trends.
• Product development & commercialization: Own concept ideation and new product development from early-stage innovation through launch.
• Cross-functional delivery: Manage innovation projects with R&D, operations, marketing, and regulatory teams.
• Multi-format development: Support innovation across dry food, wet food, treats, and supplements.
• Consumer insights & competitive analysis: Translate consumer/purchasing behaviors into differentiated concepts; identify whitespace opportunities via competitive analysis.
• Product testing & validation: Support product testing, validation, and performance evaluation; collaborate on quality, safety, and shelf-stability assessment.
• Leadership & partner management: Coordinate with external vendors, ingredient suppliers, and manufacturing partners to align innovation priorities with go-to-market.
• Regulatory & quality support: Ensure products meet industry and regulatory standards, including labeling/claims and ingredient compliance.

Requirements

• 3–5+ years of experience in pet food, food & beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG).
• Experience launching products in regulated environments.
• Background in product innovation, R&D, commercialization, or brand strategy.
• Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance analytical thinking with creativity and consumer insight.

Nice to Have

• Passionate about consumer products and innovation.
• Curious, trend-focused mindset.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Work Model & Location

• 100% Remote (US based only).

Compensation & Benefits

• $125k–$140k base salary, plus annual bonus.
• Benefits include medical/dental/vision, PTO, 401(k) match, maternity/paternity leave program, adoption benefits, short-term/long-term disability, and education/training reimbursement.