Fractional Head, Product Innovation Research & Development

Job Title: Fractional Head Product Innovation Research & Development
Location:McKinney TX
Reports To:CEO / Chief Operating Officer

About Herbal Goodness

Herbal Goodness is a premium wellness company specializing in nutrient-rich organic herbal products sourced ethically from Africa and Latin America. We are a mission-driven minority-owned business that donates 10% of our profits to educate girls in Africa through our WAAW Foundation. Were growing fast and seeking passionate values-driven team members to join our leadership team.

Position Overview

The Fractional Head of Product Innovation Research & Development is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the end-to-end innovation lifecyclefrom ideation to market launch. This role ensures that the organization stays ahead of industry trends by identifying and executing high-impact innovation opportunities that align with business objectives and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Development

• Lead the development of a robust innovation pipeline including ideation product research and go-to-market strategies.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and market trends to identify strategic innovation opportunities and maintain competitive advantage.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Manage cross-functional project teams ensuring alignment across departments and timely delivery of strategic initiatives within scope and budget.
• Coordinate R&D activities including prototype creation testing and validation ensuring solutions are both innovative and market-ready.

Technology & Digital Transformation

• Oversee the adoption of new technologies and digital transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience.

Project Management & Execution

• Implement industry-standard project management methodologies and tools to ensure transparency stakeholder alignment and consistent project execution.

Market & Competitive Analysis

• Conduct in-depth competitive product and market analyses to identify innovation gaps and opportunities for differentiation in target markets.

Budget & Resource Management

• Manage innovation-related budgets and resources ensuring optimal allocation and maximum return on investment in support of long-term growth objectives.

Trend Monitoring & Strategic Insight

• Stay abreast of industry developments and emerging technologies translating insights into actionable strategies that inform product development and innovation direction.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Product Development Business Innovation Management or a related field. A Masters degree or MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in product innovation R&D leadership or technology strategy roles.
• Proven track record of bringing new products from concept to market with measurable business impact.
• Strong knowledge of innovation frameworks digital transformation and agile project management methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills with experience leading cross-functional and remote teams.
• Proficiency in innovation management tools (e.g. Stage-Gate Design Thinking Lean Startup) and project management platforms (e.g. Asana Jira Trello).
• Strong analytical strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience working in a fractional or consultancy capacity is a plus.

Key Attributes

• Mission-driven and values-oriented
• Highly organized and process-minded
• Proactive problem-solver with a growth mindset
• Committed to excellence and team success
• Meaningful work tied to global impact (10% of profits go to girl-child education)
  

Apply by clicking link.

Required Experience:

Senior IC