Brand Manager, Innovation (12 Month Contract) North York, Ontario, Canada

Brand Manager, Innovation (12 Month Contract) Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.Job Description : Brand Manager, Innovation (12-Month Contract)Position Summary / Objective : We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Brand Manager, Innovation to join our team on a 12-month contract. Reporting to the Senior Brand Manager of the flagship MadeGood brand, this role is pivotal in leading innovation projects and shaping the company’s long-term innovation strategy. The ideal candidate will have a consumer-first mindset, be a creative problem solver with strong analytical skills, and possess a passion for innovation—and delicious snacks!Primary Responsibilities : Leadership of Innovation Projects : Lead disruptive and new platform innovation projects from concept to sales ready, collaborating with cross-functional teams including R&D, Engineering, Category, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and Regulatory. Key responsibilities include : Develop product concepts and strategic positioning based on consumer and market data, aligning with brand strategy and vision.Brief R&D on innovation concepts, incorporating brand guardrails and consumer trends.Conduct risk assessments to mitigate challenges during development.Define Go-To-Market strategies considering competitive landscapes, consumer needs, and market dynamics across brand, category, and channels.Develop P&L models and forecasts in collaboration with Finance and Sales Planning.Prepare gate approval documentation, presenting actionable recommendations to stakeholders to gain alignment.Create data-driven sales materials such as sales decks and sell sheets to support innovation launches.Manage the end-to-end execution of commercialization plans for new product launches, ensuring seamless implementation across sales, marketing and operations.Innovation Pipeline Generation : Be the expert on consumer and market trends through in-depth research, category analysis, and competitive insights.Collaborate with the Senior Brand Manager in identifying whitespace opportunities for innovation driven by consumer insights.Education & Qualifications : Degree in Business, or related fields.3-5 years’ experience in CPG / retail or other consumer facing organization working in Brand Management.Proven track record of managing innovation development from idea to launch with a consumer-first mindset.Collaborative cross-functional partner with experience working with Sales, R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance and Regulatory teams in the development and commercialization of new product innovations.Strong analytic skills - fluent with Nielsen / SPINS and Numerator (a bonus), distilling data into tangible actions and innovation forecasting.Strong financial acumen, including P&L understanding.Excellent oral, verbal and written communication skills.Skills & Abilities : Strong leadership skills and an ownership mentality.Team player with the ability to work effectively across functions and cross culturally, interfacing with all levels of management and possessing the strong ability to influence.Comfortable navigating ambiguity and can leverage both qualitative insights and intuition for informed decision-making.Self-starter individual, with an entrepreneurial spirit who enjoys working in a start-up-like work environment and is motivated to create an impact on the organization.Demonstrates strong strategic and critical thinking, is creative, and has problem-solving capabilities.Embraces, demonstrates, and upholds Riverside’s values of teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, passion, and FUN!What we expect : Values-led : You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun.Unparalleled experiences and opportunities : Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it.Access to everyone : We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff.Personal development : We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself.Gratitude : At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.What We Offer : Values-led : We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit.Courageous determination : As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy.Humility : We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products.Continuous improvement : We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.How to Apply : If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line.Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.#J-18808-Ljbffr