Director, Product Innovation – Contract

Posted 3 hours ago

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About the role

  • Product innovation director leading category managers and launch strategy. Advancing plant-based wellness products through claims, commercialization, and cross-functional execution.

Responsibilities

  • 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
  • Ensure cross-functional alignment across Marketing, Creative, R&D, Regulatory, Operations, and Finance
  • Lead Product Category Managers in maintaining and executing 3-year Product Category Roadmaps
  • Oversee creation, presentation, and approval of Product Concept Briefs
  • Oversee accurate SOP$ forecasts for innovation initiatives
  • Execute claims, product substantiation, and storytelling roadmaps across innovation and core portfolio initiatives
  • 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 required decisions, and provide updates and recommendations to 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
  • Refine and accelerate the pace and quality of innovation
  • Partner with the VP, Product and Project Management team on new product launch execution
  • Share accountability for product launch timelines and develop risk mitigation options for delays
  • 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
  • Coach team members and strengthen innovation capabilities

Requirements

  • 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
  • Are you legally eligible to work in Canada?

Benefits

  • 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 and while working at Saje

Job title

Job type

Contract

Experience level

Lead

Salary

CA$120,000 - CA$140,000 per year

Degree requirement

No Education Requirement

Location requirements

HybridTorontoCanada

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