Innovation Manager
Share
Job Location:
Evanston, IL - USA
Monthly Salary:
$ 104000 - 127000
Posted on:
09-09-2025
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Department:
Job Summary
Job Title: Innovation Manager Marketing (Food Industry)
Location:Evanston Chicago IL (Hybrid)
Department:Marketing
Reports To:VP of Marketing
COMPANY BACKGROUND
Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its members Irelands dairy processors and in turn Irish dairy farmers. Founded in 1961 the Ornua Co-operative has become Irelands largest exporter of Irish dairy products exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin it has annualized sales of over $4.3 billion and a global team of 2900 employees. Ornua operates from 10 global business units including 13 production facilities located worldwide.
The Ornua family is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornuas consumer brands including Kerrygold Dubliner Pilgrims Choice Forto and BEO. Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers around the world.
Ornua Ingredients North America is the largest of the four global Ornua Ingredients organizations worldwide with USA-based processing and innovation that services customers across the western hemisphere.
ORNUAS VALUES
At Ornua our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values and their underlying behaviors encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas Make It Happen Be Our True Selves Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.
ORNUAS GROWTH
At Ornua our co-operative ethos lies at the heart of how we do business. We care passionately about driving sustainable profitable growth underpinned by our ambitious Path to Prosper strategy. We have delivered significant growth in our core business and we have ambitious plans for continued growth over the next five years.
WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE
This is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a purpose-led organization own transformational projects to drive growth for an iconic brand and make a difference.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
We are looking for a strategic and commercially mindedInnovation Managerto lead the development and execution of a robust innovation pipeline through portfolio management global platform development and key customer support. This role is critical in delivering the global strategic growth plan for the next 5 years. The chosen candidate will partner closely with the Head of Innovation to shape strategic plans uncover growth opportunities and own project development in a fast-paced consumer-centric food business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Insights:Utilize syndicated data (e.g. Nielsen Circana SPINS) and other databases/data sources (e.g. Kantar MMM) along with internal performance metrics to uncover actionable insights that inform brand category and channel strategies.
- Forecasting & Scenario Planning:Develop data-driven forecasts for new product innovation and disruptive platform launches leveraging consumer insights competitive dynamics and in-market data.
- Project Management: Own on time delivery of priority innovation platforms and projects laddering up to strategic growth plan initiatives and targets.
- Research: Partner with Consumer Insights to create research plans and action standards that deliver effective outcomes in response to targeted business questions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:Act as a strategic partner and lead cross functional teams across Marketing Sales Innovation R&D and Finance to deliver disruptive innovation products to market.
- Storytelling and Communication:Translate complex data into compelling narratives and strategic recommendations.
- Identify Trends:Lead relevant macro food trend tracking in the US to help create and shape product ideation and development.
- Budget Management: Own the marketing innovation budget ensuring delivery of a robust product development pipeline within the planned budget.
- People Management: Manage rotating graduate program marketing team members
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree preferably in a marketing or business-related discipline MBA preferred
- A minimum of 4-6 years relevant experience in the CPG area demonstrating innovation and new product development success.
- Strong business acumen and ability to connect data (e.g. Nielsen IRI Spins) to commercial outcomes
- Clear communication stakeholder management and project management skills
- Excellent analytical problem solving decision-making and negotiation skills.
- Experience in consumer products sold through to retail outlets preferably in food and beverage.
- Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally (up to 25%).
- Self-motivated and positive attitude with great energy. Passionate about good high-quality food.
What Youll Gain:
- The opportunity to shape the future of a dairy brand in double digit growth in the US
- A collaborative purpose-driven culture that values innovation and insight
- Competitive compensation benefits and career development opportunities
- Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working with 3 days/week in office plus a 2 week per year Work From Anywhere option.
Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards. The salary range for this role is $104000 to $127000 and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.
Ornua Foods North America Inc isan equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employmentwithout regard to race colour religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.
Required Experience:
Manager
Key Skills
- Restaurant Experience
- Customer Service
- Employee Evaluation
- Management Experience
- Math
- Employment & Labor Law
- Sanitation
- Leadership Experience
- P&L Management
- Mentoring
- Supervising Experience
- Restaurant Management
About Company
Welcome to Ornua, a global leader in providing wholesome, natural dairy products to consumers and manufacturers. Discover more about our co-operative.
