LaSalle Network has partnered with a leading food/CPG company in their search for a Brand Innovation Manager (Contract) to join their team on an interim basis and help drive its innovation portfolio.
This person will have broad ownership across the innovation pipeline, with a primary focus on stewarding projects through the stage-gate process and ensuring successful execution from concept through launch. The ideal candidate is a strong project manager with hands-on innovation experience who can quickly step in, bring structure to multiple workstreams, and keep cross-functional teams moving forward.
Experience in food or CPG—particularly food & beverage—is strongly preferred.
The Day to Day:
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Lead and manage innovation projects across the portfolio, from concept through commercialization.
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Steward projects through the stage-gate process, ensuring milestones, timelines, deliverables, and decisions stay on track.
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Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, R&D, Sales, Operations, and other key stakeholders to drive projects forward.
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Manage multiple innovation workstreams simultaneously and identify risks, dependencies, and roadblocks.
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Bring strong PMO/project management discipline to the innovation process.
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Help maintain and evolve the innovation pipeline and identify opportunities for future growth.
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Facilitate communication and alignment across teams and ensure clear ownership and accountability.
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Provide visibility into project status, timelines, and key decisions to senior leadership.
What You Bring:
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3+ years of experience in brand innovation or product innovation
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5+ years in CPG/ brand management experience
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Experience managing innovation projects through a stage-gate development process.
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Strong project/program management and organizational skills; comfortable managing multiple projects at once.
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Experience working cross-functionally across Marketing, R&D, Sales, Operations, and/or other business functions.
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Food or CPG experience strongly preferred; food & beverage experience ideal.
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Ability to quickly step into an existing organization, create structure, and drive projects forward with minimal ramp-up.
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Strategic thinker who is also highly hands-on and execution-oriented.
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Chicago-based and able to work 2–3 days per week onsite throughout the length of the contract (till the end of the year)
This position pays an hourly rate (w2) of $55/hr-$65/hr based on experience and as a consultant with LaSalle Network you are eligible to enroll in benefits. For details, visit https://www.thelasallenetwork.com/consultants/
If this position sounds like a fit for you, please apply today!
Missy Stella
Sr. Marketing Recruiter
#LI-MS12
LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.
LaSalle Network is the leading provider of direct hire and temporary staffing services. For over two decades, LaSalle has helped organizations hire faster and connect top talent with opportunities, from entry-level positions to the C-suite. With units specializing in Accounting and Finance, Administrative, Engineering, Marketing, Technology, Supply Chain, Revenue Cycle, Call Center, Human Resources and Executive Search, LaSalle offers staffing and recruiting solutions to companies of all sizes and across all industries.
LaSalle Network is the premier staffing and recruiting firm, earning over 100 culture, revenue and industry-based awards from major publications and having its company experts regularly contribute insights on retention strategies, hiring trends, hiring challenges, and more to national news outlets. LaSalle Network offers temporary Field Employees benefit plans including medical, dental and vision coverage. Family Medical Leave, Worker's Compensation, Paid Leave and Sick Leave are also provided. View a full list of our benefits here
All assignments are at-will and their duration is subject to change.