Associate Innovation Manager US Retail

Position Title: Associate Innovation Manager US Retail

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Requisition : 40383

McCain Foods is seeking an Associate Brand Manager, Disruptive Innovation for North America to join our growing team! Reporting to the Senior Brand Manager, Innovation, this position is responsible for helping drive a portfolio of McCain innovation initiatives.

This role provides an opportunity to truly build something – platforms, innovation pipelines, and the processes to get there for the retail channel. With disruptive innovation, candidates need to be flexible and comfortable working through ambiguity.

• Supports delivery of compelling breakthrough innovation channel strategy, based on consumer, customer and category insights, and market trends, grounded in the McCain long range plan objectives (where to play, how to win, growth targets), category, brand, portfolio strategy and demand space framework
• Supports to deliver a 3-year innovation pipeline, inclusive of product and packaging innovation, with a focus on new environments, new occasions and new platform capabilities, with clarity to horizon pathing and pacing of work streams
• Understanding the marketplace through analyses of consumer research, syndicated data & market trends and uncovering relevant consumer insights for new product launches & future innovations.
• Leading cross-functional teams consisting of McCain manufacturing operations, R&D, packaging, insights and sales to bring new products to life in North America through a stage-gate process.
• Proactively engages cross functionally with Go to Market Hub and externally with customers to align disruptive innovation and pave the way for new products in the market that will meet market needs
• Developing strong presentations consisting of detailed business case to be presented to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Managing and reconciling innovation budget.

• Minimum 3 years of product/food marketing experience with a background in consumer brand marketing. Innovation experience preferred.
• Passion for consumer insights and innovation curiosity.
• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex environment and can work through ambiguity.
• Experience with syndicated data (IRI, Nielsen).
• Understanding of managing a P&L.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize and multi-task against several complex projects at one time.
• Ability to lead cross functional projects and teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills; able to foster open communication and engage/influence others.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (including strong presentation skills), analytical ability, independent decision making and business vision.
• Passion for, and understanding of, food industry preferred with an understanding of CPG retail environment.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Reporting to the Sr Manager Innovation NA Retail. The team oversees the NA Innovation strategy for McCain.

to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.

At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.

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Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most…