Director – Innovation Marketing

Simple Mills

. Define innovation strategy and build multi-year growth pipelines across core, adjacent, and emerging categories .

Posted 10/23/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesLead💰 $160,000 - $195,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in defining innovation strategy and building multi-year growth pipelines, with a strong focus on consumer insights and market trends. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams through the commercialization of innovative products while ensuring alignment with business objectives and financial goals.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Innovation Strategy DevelopmentCross-Functional Team LeadershipConsumer Insights AnalysisPortfolio ManagementBusiness Case Development

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Product DevelopmentFinancial AnalysisCommercializationMarket Trends AnalysisGrowth Strategy ShapingInvestment Decision MakingOpportunity IdentificationConcept DevelopmentRegenerative Agriculture KnowledgeSustainable Food Systems Knowledge

Soft Skills

Exceptional CommunicationStorytellingInfluencing SkillsCuriosityAccountability

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's DegreeMBA Preferred

Industry Keywords

Food InnovationConsumer Packaged GoodsWellnessMarket PositioningGrowth Pipelines

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define innovation strategy and build multi-year growth pipelines across core, adjacent, and emerging categories
Identify and prioritize growth opportunities using consumer insights, market trends, competitive intelligence, and whitespace analysis
Partner with Brand Marketing, Consumer Insights, R&D, and Commercial teams to align innovation priorities with business objectives
Influence enterprise growth priorities and evaluate growth opportunities, investment decisions, and portfolio tradeoffs with executive leaders
Establish innovation governance and decision-making frameworks
Strengthen innovation capabilities, processes, and ways of working
Drive portfolio prioritization and investment decisions
Translate insights into differentiated concepts, products, and platforms
Use research and experimentation to validate opportunities and reduce risk
Synthesize complex information into recommendations influencing strategy and investment decisions
Lead cross-functional teams through innovation from opportunity identification through commercialization
Partner with R&D on products meeting consumer expectations, business objectives, and brand standards
Ensure initiatives meet financial, strategic, and operational objectives while managing risk and execution
Balance long-term innovation ambitions with near-term priorities and performance goals
Build business cases and innovation plans supporting growth and profitability
Support commercialization through positioning, sales stories, and go-to-market strategies
Establish success metrics and track post-launch performance
Monitor portfolio performance and recommend resource allocation adjustments
Lead, coach, and develop the Innovation team
Foster curiosity, accountability, and critical thinking
Develop talent, succession plans, and future innovation leaders
Perform other projects as assigned
Report to the Head of Innovation & Mission

Requirements

What you’ll need

10-12+ years of progressive experience in food, beverage, wellness, or consumer packaged goods innovation, marketing, strategy, or general management
Significant responsibility for developing and commercializing growth-driving innovation
Bachelor's degree required
MBA strongly preferred
Deep passion for natural foods and the connection between food, human health, and planetary wellness
Curiosity about emerging food, wellness, and cultural trends
Knowledge of regenerative agriculture and sustainable food systems is a plus
Experience leading innovation pipelines, portfolio decisions, and cross-functional commercialization efforts at scale
Success defining innovation strategy, building multi-year growth pipelines, and delivering innovation driving revenue growth, profitability, and strategic objectives
Experience shaping growth strategies and influencing enterprise-level business decisions
Experience in large, complex organizations and entrepreneurial, high-growth environments
Track record leading cross-functional teams through breakthrough, category-shaping, or new-to-the-world innovation from concept through commercialization
Expertise in opportunity identification, consumer insights, concept and positioning development, product development, commercialization, business case development, financial analysis, and portfolio management
Strong business and financial acumen
Ability to evaluate growth opportunities, make investment recommendations, and manage innovation-related investment decisions
Strategic and disciplined thinking; ability to translate ambiguity into focused action
Entrepreneurial leadership; ability to make sound decisions with incomplete information and drive progress through influence and accountability
Exceptional communication, storytelling, and influencing skills
Ability to build alignment, challenge constructively, and engage confidently with leaders at all levels
Proven people leadership, coaching, development, and high-performing team growth
Ability to taste and work in the vicinity of various food allergens

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual bonus opportunity
Health, financial, and wellness programs
Time off approach
Lifestyle perks
Innovation shipments
Professional development through hands-on training, learning platforms, and career growth opportunities
Collaborative and inspiring work environment
Hybrid work model
Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities