Ice Cream, B&J's NA Senior Innovation Lead

Ben & Jerry’s:

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, USA, founded by childhood friends and dedicated activists Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. In 2000 Ben & Jerry’s became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever with the remainder of an independent Board of Directors to provide leadership focused on preserving and expanding Ben & Jerry's social mission, brand integrity, and product quality.

Ben & Jerry’s has an inspiring ambition. This translates into a high-paced growth environment married without uncompromising grassroots and activist spirit. That is how we remain a true purpose-led organization with a connected 3-part mission that is deeply rooted in the company’s history.

About the role & What You’ll Do

• The primary role of B&J’s NA Snr Innovation Lead is to drive & deliver B&J’s innovation led growth plan focusing especially on the Americas. You will work closely with the global innovation lead, your innovation team and a cross-functional team to create product strategies, new product concepts for research and start-to-finish innovation across the 6P’s. Additionally, you will manage the portfolio & innovation rollouts for our existing new markets.
• Contribute to the development of the long and short-term global innovation programme to support the company’s strategic growth goals, deliver sustainable incremental business, elevate brand love by recruiting new fans and drive B&J’s brand values and expand our social impact.
• Lead innovation projects and the innovation process for the Americas, partnering closely with the EUANZ Innovation Manager to build a successful global model for product concept development of new platforms and formats for existing and emerging sales channels.
• Support the NA markets with needs for customer and internal sell-in, marketing and media briefing, and post-launch support for all innovation platforms.
• Strategically influence cross-functional partners and leadership to gain alignment and energy for new product concepts and platforms.
• Gather relevant information and analyze market data (syndicated data, competitive intelligence, and consumer research) to identify emerging trends, consumer needs and/or behaviors that provide insights leading to product, concept and packaging innovation.
• Identify critical high pay off strategies or approaches by assessing the needs, opportunities, and risks associated with new product lines.  Considers and employs research and feasibility analysis; analyze competitive intelligence and direct marketing executions to extend brand equity and achieve long-term Brand and financial objectives.
• Manage and build a highly effective team committed to global business goals, fosters collaboration among team members across both geographies and high levels of employee engagement.
• Direct new product / concept activities in collaboration with R&D, CMI, Operations, Design, Public Relations, Legal and outside consultants by providing product/project objectives, parameters, and ongoing feedback.
• Act as key connector between Ben & Jerry’s innovation and the NA IC Innovation marketing teams, managing information flow.
• Lead monthly innovation performance analysis and reporting.
• Exhibit commitment to the company’s social mission and Marketing's vital role in delivering all three elements of Ben & Jerry's three-part mission statement.
• Lead B&J’s product portfolio & innovation programme roll out relating to US production across existing export markets working closely with the asst. export manager and marketing ops manager to oversee execution.
• Work with Global Innovation Lead and EUANZ Innovation Manager to look for opportunities to harmonize sourcing, and recipes globally
• Oversee retail (scoop shop) innovation including new flavour devt.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelors’ degree in Marketing, Business or equivalent combination of education and experience.  MBA a plus.
• 6+ years experience as a Brand/Product Innovation Manager in a consumer packaged goods company.
• Successfully execute plans and projects within a matrix organization structure.
• Proven ability to create and promote new ideas and concepts.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven work experience with a values-led business or demonstrated commitment to social and economic justice agendas.
• Able to cultivate relationships with key stakeholders representing a broad range of functions and levels.  Develops effective give and take relationships with others; recognizes and effectively balances the interests and needs of one’s own group with those of the broader B&J organization.
• Ability to communicate across different stakeholder groups to influence decision-making.
• Persuades others and gains support and commitment from peers and others, mobilizes others to act.
• Computer, esp. Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

What We Can Offer You

Meet the Women of Customer Development| Culture for Growth| Top Notch Employee Health & Well Being Benefits| Every Voice Matters| Global Reach| Life at Unilever| Careers with Purpose | World Class Career Development Programs| Check Out Our Space| Focus On Sustainability

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isIllegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.