Title: Product Innovation Manager
Department: Marketing
Reports to: VP Marketing
Location: Watsonville
Classification: Full time, year round
Pay Status: Exempt
Date: 9/14/09

Job Summary:
Play a primary role in advancing brand-building initiatives in the fresh berry category by identifying unmet consumer needs and championing the creation and comercialization of innovative new products to support continued business growth.


Job Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree is required, MBA preferred.

Minimum four years experience in a new product development role and seven years of total brand management experience in a consumer marketing organization.

A track record of championing new products including concept evaluation, product development, and successful in-market performance.

Strong analytical abilities and skill in identifying consumer insights and translating them into new product concepts.

Spanish language fluency preferred.

Valid Driver’s License and eligibility for company vehicle insurance required.

U.S. Passport

Responsibilities Include:

1. Leads the interpretation of consumer research and customer feedback to define strategic direction for Driscoll’s innovation initiatives.

2. Collaborates with other key functions (R&D, Operations, and Customer Management) to identify platforms/new product concepts, which will leverage Driscoll’s equity in the berry category.

3. Develops marketing plans for the successful introduction of new products and communicate these plans to the broader Driscoll’s organization to gain support and alignment of functional activities.
4. Lead process improvements in the ideation and evaluation phase of new product ideas.

5. Establishes appropriate in-market tracking systems to measure new product performance against agreed to launch objectives.

6. Ensures effective collaboration and communication with all Driscoll’s internal customers for greater efficiencies and attainment of DSA’s strategic plan.

7. Develops best practice processes and procedures that meet market demands, contribute system efficiencies, and satisfy the consumer.

8. Follows Company policies and practices while representing Driscoll’s in an ethical and business-like manner in all interactions with employees, government agencies, growers, customers, etc.

9. Performs related duties as required.