Associate Innovation Manager

Job Title: Associate Manager Innovation

Location:Evanston Chicago IL (Hybrid)

Department:Innovation Marketing

Reports To: Head of Innovation

Company Background:

The most important element of our company background is our purpose. We are a dairy cooperative of cooperatives. That means that we exist to create value for our cooperatives and the 14000 Irish family dairy farms they support. This is central to how we operate critically important for our employees and what fuels our ambition to win.

With that Ornua is Irelands largest exporter of Irish dairy exporting to over 110 countries with annualised sales of 3.4 billion.

We are multi-national operating from 19 subsidiaries worldwide and employing over 2300 staff. Ornua has teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe from Algiers to Beijing to Lagos and LA.

The business is structured across two core divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.

Ornua Foods owns the iconic Kerrygold brand as well as the Pilgrims Choice Dubliner Forto and BEO Milk Powder brands.

Ornua Ingredients supplies superior quality dairy ingredients to leading global food manufacturers from some of the worlds most technically advanced manufacturing and prepacking facilities located in Africa China Ireland Germany Saudi Arabia Spain the UK and the US.

Ornua Foods North America is headquartered in Evanston IL with additional teams located throughout the US. The consumer foods product portfolio is spread across butter cheese and powders.

The North America division is a powerhouse within Ornua with an iconic and beloved brand and a highly-engaged highly inclusive and high-performing team that together have delivered double-digit profitable growth on the business for the last twenty years.

Role Summary:

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 mindedAssociate Manager Innovationto support 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 Innovation Manager and the Head of Innovation to deliver strategic plans uncover growth opportunities and manage 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:Help develop data-driven forecasts for new product innovation and disruptive platform launches leveraging consumer insights competitive dynamics and in-market data.
• Project Management: Execute on time delivery of priority innovation platforms and projects laddering up to strategic growth plan initiatives and targets.
• Research: Partner with Consumer Insights to support creation of research plans and action standards that deliver effective outcomes in response to targeted business questions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:Support cross functional teams across Marketing Sales Innovation R&D and Finance to deliver disruptive innovation products to market.
• Storytelling and Communication:Assist with translation of complex data into compelling narratives and strategic recommendations.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree preferably in a marketing or business-related discipline MBA preferred.

• A minimum of 2-4 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 and decision-making.
• 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 $97000 to $118800 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.