Director, Product Innovation – 16 Month Contract

SAJE SRL

. Lead the team of Product Category Managers and advance the product portfolio.

Posted 10/17/2026contractVancouver • CanadaLead💰 CA$120,000 - CA$140,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in product innovation and strategy, with a strong focus on leading cross-functional teams and driving product development from concept to market. Proven ability to balance creativity with accountability while ensuring alignment across diverse functions.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Product InnovationCross-Functional LeadershipStrategic ThinkingPeople LeadershipProduct Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Product StrategyCategory ManagementInnovation Pipeline ManagementClaims SubstantiationMarket Analysis

Soft Skills

CoachingCollaborationDecision-MakingInfluencing StakeholdersProblem-Solving

Industry Keywords

Consumer-Focused EnvironmentProduct LaunchBusiness Case DevelopmentCreative ExecutionRegulatory Compliance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead the team of Product Category Managers and advance the product portfolio.
Ensure Saje products reach market with clear, compelling, and defensible claims and storytelling.
Provide strategic direction, coaching, prioritization, and decision-making across category roadmaps, innovation programs, and product launches.
Own the innovation pipeline from white-space exploration and concept creation through product marketing and creative execution.
Align Marketing, Creative, R&D, Regulatory, Operations, and Finance.
Lead execution of claims, product substantiation, and storytelling roadmaps.
Coordinate claims and storytelling deliverables through development, approval, and implementation.
Maintain claims and storytelling tools, documentation, approval pathways, and decision records.
Monitor roadmap progress, surface risks and decisions, and update the VP, Product.
Ensure approved claims and product stories are implemented consistently across consumer touchpoints.
Own and evolve a 2–3 year innovation pipeline supporting product strategy, financial objectives, and brand differentiation.
Partner with R&D and Regulatory to co-innovate, refine, and pivot concepts.
Ensure innovation options are quantified and qualified through business cases and Product Concept Briefs.
Improve the pace and quality of innovation.
Partner with the VP, Product and Project Management team on new product launches.
Share accountability for launch timelines and risk mitigation.
Maintain accountability for pricing strategy and post-launch performance.
Lead and develop Product Category Managers and strengthen the internal talent pipeline.
Build a culture balancing creativity, accountability, rigor, and fun.

Requirements

What you’ll need

8+ years of progressive experience across product innovation, product strategy, category management, or product development, ideally within a consumer-focused environment.
5+ years of people leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and build high-performing teams.
Exceptional cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to build strong partnerships, influence stakeholders, and drive alignment across diverse functions and levels.
Strong strategic thinking, with experience translating business priorities, consumer needs, and market opportunities into clear product and innovation strategies.
Proven ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity, balancing long-term vision with strong prioritization, decision-making, and execution.
Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and growth-oriented mindset, with the ability to challenge thinking, move ideas forward, and create momentum in a fast-paced environment.
Legally eligible to work in Canada.

Benefits

Comp & perks

A hybrid way of working
Flexible work hours based on business needs
Wellness days to ensure you're taking care of your mental and physical health
Health benefits - comprehensive health, vision and dental packages
Paid sick days
Generous product discount
Full onboarding plan and onboarding buddy to help you settle in
Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 support, resources, and information available to you and your family
Paid time off to ensure you're resting & recharging
Product training to help you learn about the benefits and efficacy of our 100% natural products to support your own wellness journey
Learning and development support
Reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process