Job Information
Hormel Foods Senior Innovation Manager - Snacking & Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois
Senior Innovation Manager – Snacking & Entertainment
Hormel Foods Corporation
To save time applying, Hormel Foods does not offer sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas for this position at this time.
About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food. ™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters ® , Skippy ® , SPAM ® , Hormel ® Natural Choice ® , Applegate ® , Justin’s ® , Wholly ® , Hormel ® Black Label ® , Columbus ® , Jennie-O ® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized on Fast Company’s list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, received a perfect score of 100 on the 2023–24 Corporate Equality Index and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food. ™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com .
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position is responsible for delivering Innovation results for Snacking and Entertaining Vertical brands: Gatherings®, Hormel® Pepperoni, Planters® and select Columbus® initiatives. The person in this role will lead the overall innovation strategy for the vertical across all brands and will be directly accountable for Planters® brand innovation pipeline. The person will manage multiple complex projects, and drive alignment with business leadership team on innovation direction. This position will have a direct report, an individual contributor, supporting this vertical.
Development of innovation strategy and pipelines to deliver against Vertical Goals: Develops the Innovation Strategy that connects to the overarching Brand and Business Strategy and portfolio growth goals. Assesses size of the prize for growth opportunities and develops and manages the workplan against the innovation goal. Applies consumer and trend lens and thinks creatively to source new product ideas. Facilitates the ideation sessions. Writes new product concepts. Works collaboratively with consumer insights, Business Analytics, Brand, and R&D teams to build a multi-year innovation pipeline. Secured leadership buy-in and approval for recommended pipelines. Presents and gets key customer alignment. Pushes pipelines through the Capex planning process to secure capabilities/ capacity required when needed.
Commercialization of new products. Collaboratively leads multi-level cross-functional project teams across stage gates for Innovation launches for Planters® business. This includes having a working knowledge of multiple cross-functional areas (ie. Sales, P&L, regulatory, operations, insights, R&D). Puts together and adheres to timelines of the project through creation, development, and launch of new items. Must be able to put together a high-level P&L, product concept, and build and present a sell-in story to the customer and internal stake holders.
Partnership with external agency partners. Collaborates with external suppliers and agencies across different steps of innovation process when needed to bring in new capabilities (i.e. in-market test), fresh thinking (i.e. ideation), or agility (i.e. quick turnaround).
Managerial Requirements/Influence on Others. Provides guidance and support to a junior team member. Delegates, shares regular feedback, and develops a direct report to ensure strong motivation and performance. Champions team culture.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of innovation, marketing/marketing related, or Retail Sales experience OR MBA and 3+ years of innovation, marketing/marketing related, or Retail Sales experience.
Pattern of initiative.
Experience of commercializing a new item.
Experience of developing brand or business strategy.
Proven problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Highly developed interpersonal and organizational skills.
Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical and time management skills.
Ability to translate data into consumer insights and then into product innovation.
Ability to travel 10% of the time (at least quarterly to the corporate office in MN, customer meetings, etc.)
Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States.
Applicants must not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa.
Preferred
Curiosity and creative thinking skills.
Understanding of P&L structure and components.
Ability to write product concepts and positioning statements.
Speak-up mentality.
Understanding of brand positioning and marketing levers.
Project management experience.
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
At Hormel Foods, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. The base hiring pay range for the Senior Innovation Manager role is $104,000 - $163,500 per year, and your actual base pay within that range will depend upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge, skill set, level of experience, and geographic market location.
BENEFITS: Other components of Hormel Foods' total compensation package include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, discretionary annual merit increases, bonuses and profit sharing, 401(k) with employer match, stock purchase plan, paid time off, free two-year community/technical college tuition for children of employees, and more.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 10% of the time.
For immediate consideration, send apply online at: www.hormelfoods.com/careers
At Hormel we invite difference and diversity in all aspects. We offer a space of support, understanding, and community. We are committed to the journey! Learn more about our progress here: https://www.hormelfoods.com/about/diversity-and-inclusion/
Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Requisition ID : 27117
Hormel Foods Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.