Manager, Innovation

Education / Experience

Bachelor's Degree required, MBA preferred.

5+ years relevant work experience in CPG innovation or growth strategy; brand management and product marketing experience is a plus.

Experience as a strategic thinker and developing business cases and corresponding execution plans.

Experience in identifying consumer needs and motivations through research and / or market analysis.

Track record of creative thinking, generation of new product ideas, and working with internal and external partners to develop new concepts / products.

Experience working with and leading cross-functional teams.

Strong analytical & quantitative skills with capability to use data and / or research to make insight-based arguments to drive organizational alignment.

Knowledge of key syndicated data providers (Circana, Numerator preferred).

Strong project management skills and understanding of new product development process from ideation to commercialization to in-market activation.

Personal Characteristics

Business builder who owns and drives results.

Growth mindset with an excitement to learn (and teach).

Thrive in a dynamic, lean, and agile environment with proven record of completing projects on time in full through excellent cross functional team management, leadership, communication and influence.

Self-starter who takes initiative and speaks their mind.

Excited to be part of a fast-moving team with the ability to be a leader and a follower.

Enjoy making decisions and finding ways to say ‘yes’ as often as possible to impactful and important priorities.

We strongly believe in the power of culture and community and have a hybrid work structure with 4 days in the Walnut Creek Headquarters on a weekly basis to encourage collaboration and personal connections that will allow us to better serve our customers, consumers and to have more fun. Fridays are flex days with employees having the opportunity to choose to be either in the office or to work from home based on what makes most sense for them. Some travel will be required for this role on a periodic basis. Typical travel includes industry conferences and key customer visits.

Pay Transparency

The expected starting salary range for this role is $140,000- $150,000 per year. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range based on the location of the role. The amount a particular employee will earn within the salary range will be based on factors such as relevant education, qualifications, performance and business needs.

No two days here are the same.

We try to be good team members and good communicators, but we don’t live by hierarchy and structure – everyone is a difference maker here.

We make a lot of decisions in the face of incomplete information – our team embraces ambiguity and tries to make good decisions fast rather than great decisions slow.

We believe our job is to take smart risk, not to eliminate risk.

We believe in growing our skills and becoming a better company with more managerial expertise, but we are an entrepreneurial company at heart.

We aren’t trying to be average – we want to do exceptional things, and we are willing to work hard to achieve them.

We offer a range of total rewards that may include paid time off, 401k, bonus / incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health benefits, and other family-friendly benefits, including parental leave. Kinder’s benefits vary based on eligibility and can be reviewed in more detail during the interview process.

We believe great culture starts with people. We’re a people-first company built on connection, collaboration, and balance. Most of our work happens in the office to spark creativity and community, but we also offer flexibility so team members have the autonomy to work outside the office when needed to support their work-life balance and personal commitments.

Kinder's is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, as well as any other legally-protected characteristic. If you have a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law, and you need any accommodation during the application process or to perform these job requirements, please reach out to us at careers@kinders.com