Manager, Innovation and Insights

Lassonde Pappas & Co. is a US Leader in beverage manufacturing dedicated to our team members, customers and consumers satisfaction. We remain committed to our small-town roots and rural values. Hardworking and caring are qualities that make our teams special. Since 1942, we’ve been producing delicious products for our customers across the country!

To provide the best for our customers, we focus on building the best team by creating and advancing an inclusive environment amongst our diverse workforce. If you’re passionate about customer satisfaction, reliable, and committed to being and doing better, join us!

We value each of our employee’s total wellbeing. To support employees in all stages of their wellness journey, we have a robust benefits program including: medical, dental, and vision coverage options, growth and development potential, along with 401-K, Life & Disability Insurance, PTO, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Fairs, Gym Membership Discounts, and so much more!

Position Summary

The Innovation & Insights Manager, Food and Beverage at Lassonde North America will champion innovation and consumer insights for Lassonde Industries. This leadership position will be a member of the North America (NA) Innovation Center of Excellence (ICoE), a centralized role for all NA innovative initiatives across Lassonde’s portfolio that aligns to the corporate strategy. As a member of the I CoE, the individual will promote a culture of innovation, build a growth-oriented portfolio driven by consumer insights, and share a passion for new ways of thinking that will influence change.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (essential Functions Of The Job)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Responsibilities Include

• Lead breakthrough & adjacency “more needs” innovation projects that support Lassonde’s corporate mission, vision, and strategy.
• Build strong relationships with market research vendors to ensure best-in-class research execution.
• Be a premier internal service provider focused on scale & synergy to 5 Food and Beverage Divisions to drive engagement and support pipelines according to business plans and strategic objectives.
• Lead consumer insights studies to fuel big eye and adjacency innovation pipeline and support strategic studies for the 5 Food and Beverage Divisions.
• Continuously monitor scientific, technological, and market trends for innovation and share with the organization on an ongoing basis.
• Partner with market intelligence vendors to drive customized projects and create annual trends presentations.
• Support strong collaboration and interaction with universities, and research centers to identify and deliver innovation opportunities, sustainability advancements, expanded capabilities, and new market opportunities.
• Support quarterly meetings w/each BU for priorities, support needs and outputs relevant to Divisions & ICoE.
• Lead annual Innovation Summits and all related ideation sessions.
• Lead ICoE Offsites and Trainings.
• Document and share best-in-class practices.
  
  

Education And Experience

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business/Marketing, MBA preferred
• 5-7 years experience in the food & beverage or related industry with a focus on consumer insights, marketing, and innovation.
  
  

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Strong ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders to enhance innovative thinking
• Must be able to effectively focus resources to implement a business strategy, lead teams, generate excitement and commitment to the vision, and implement goals that drive innovation and change
• Excellent expert written/verbal communication skills, and a proven capability to present complex concepts in a concise and understandable way to a variety of audiences, including the highest level of the organization.
• Keen desire and curiosity to uncover/understand consumer insights and satisfy their needs
• Strong analytical skills, presentation skills and creativity
• Demonstrates initiative, goal oriented and focused on results
• Ability to turn analysis and insights into winning strategies
• Detail oriented with excellent project management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate
  
  

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This position requires sufficient physical ability to work in a typical office setting; driving a motor vehicle and occasionally working in the field.

FREQUENT: sitting, upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity and light to moderate finger pressure to include extended periods of keyboard and mouse use, side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending and stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials.

OCCASIONAL: squatting, kneeling, reach above and at shoulder height, moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20 – 35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

VISION: Ability to see in the normal visual range with or without correction.

HEARING: Ability to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

This job description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of the responsibilities that are required to successfully perform in this position. Other duties as assigned are part of every job description. The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.