King Arthur Baking Company
Senior Director Product Innovation
King Arthur Baking Company, White River Junction, Vermont, United States, 05801
Overview
King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration. We are a 100% employee-owned company and founding B Corporation, committed to sustainability, responsible sourcing, and community impact. We strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike, with flour milled in the United States and a focus on real foods. The Position
The Senior Director of Product Innovation
will lead the strategic development and execution of breakthrough baking products and experiences across omnichannel platforms including direct-to-consumer, grocery and wholesale, and food service. They will oversee consumer insights, research and development, and innovation brand managers to deliver products that elevate the baking category and deepen our connection with bakers everywhere. The Benefits
Yes, we have the regular benefits: medical, dental, vision, company-paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401(k) with a company match.
But here’s what makes us different:
40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and a collaborative, co-employee ownership culture. The Location
Hybrid working from home and onsite in White River Junction, VT based on business need. Ideal candidates will be located in VT, NH, or MA. The Pay
$160,000 to $206,000
annual salary; commensurate with experience. Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with King Arthur’s mission and business goals and supporting the Long Range Strategic Plan. Define and manage the innovation framework, including stage-gate processes, our strategic product plan (pipeline), and performance KPIs. Lead cross-functional collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, and R&D. Foster a culture of creativity, agility, risk taking, and continuous improvement. Consumer Insights & Research Oversee consumer insights to ensure deep understanding of baker needs and market trends. Guide qualitative and quantitative research initiatives to inform product development. Champion a test-and-learn culture with integrated feedback loops. Product Development & R&D Oversee the R&D team in developing new products and reformulating existing ones. Engage and oversee external development partners, as needed. Ensure rigorous testing, validation, and alignment with brand standards. Partner with supply chain and operations to ensure feasibility and efficiency. Innovation Brand Management Manage innovation brand managers responsible for concept development and go-to-market strategy. Ensure consistent brand storytelling across channels. Collaborate with creative and digital teams to bring product stories to life. Omnichannel Execution Drive innovation across direct-to-consumer, grocery, wholesale, and food service channels. Tailor product formats and messaging to channel-specific needs. Support successful launches and in-market performance. Experience And Education
12+ years in food industry innovation, product development, or strategy. Proven track record of launching successful products and managing cross-functional teams. Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Food Science, Business, or related field; MBA preferred. We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role. Competencies
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Thinking: set a clear direction for innovation aligned with the mission and strategic plan; inspire cross-functional teams to embrace creativity and calculated risk-taking. Deep Consumer Empathy and Insight-Driven Decision-Making: understand bakers and consumers; use research and test-and-learn approaches to inform decisions and storytelling. Strong Project Management and Execution Skills: manage complex innovation projects from concept to launch with stage-gate processes and KPIs. Analytical Rigor and Business Acumen: balance creativity with commercial viability and monitor in-market performance. Team Development and Mentoring: build and develop cross-functional teams; foster collaboration and accountability. Success Factors
Passion for baking and food culture Openness to new technologies and methodologies Commitment to King Arthur’s mission and values; community-minded and sustainability-focused Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Safety
The physical demands and work environment are those required to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities. Travel
- Occasional travel for team collaboration, product testing, and market visits. Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the application process and during employment. There is room at our table for you. Apply today.
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King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration. We are a 100% employee-owned company and founding B Corporation, committed to sustainability, responsible sourcing, and community impact. We strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike, with flour milled in the United States and a focus on real foods. The Position
The Senior Director of Product Innovation
will lead the strategic development and execution of breakthrough baking products and experiences across omnichannel platforms including direct-to-consumer, grocery and wholesale, and food service. They will oversee consumer insights, research and development, and innovation brand managers to deliver products that elevate the baking category and deepen our connection with bakers everywhere. The Benefits
Yes, we have the regular benefits: medical, dental, vision, company-paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, and a 401(k) with a company match.
But here’s what makes us different:
40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing, participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and a collaborative, co-employee ownership culture. The Location
Hybrid working from home and onsite in White River Junction, VT based on business need. Ideal candidates will be located in VT, NH, or MA. The Pay
$160,000 to $206,000
annual salary; commensurate with experience. Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with King Arthur’s mission and business goals and supporting the Long Range Strategic Plan. Define and manage the innovation framework, including stage-gate processes, our strategic product plan (pipeline), and performance KPIs. Lead cross-functional collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, and R&D. Foster a culture of creativity, agility, risk taking, and continuous improvement. Consumer Insights & Research Oversee consumer insights to ensure deep understanding of baker needs and market trends. Guide qualitative and quantitative research initiatives to inform product development. Champion a test-and-learn culture with integrated feedback loops. Product Development & R&D Oversee the R&D team in developing new products and reformulating existing ones. Engage and oversee external development partners, as needed. Ensure rigorous testing, validation, and alignment with brand standards. Partner with supply chain and operations to ensure feasibility and efficiency. Innovation Brand Management Manage innovation brand managers responsible for concept development and go-to-market strategy. Ensure consistent brand storytelling across channels. Collaborate with creative and digital teams to bring product stories to life. Omnichannel Execution Drive innovation across direct-to-consumer, grocery, wholesale, and food service channels. Tailor product formats and messaging to channel-specific needs. Support successful launches and in-market performance. Experience And Education
12+ years in food industry innovation, product development, or strategy. Proven track record of launching successful products and managing cross-functional teams. Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Food Science, Business, or related field; MBA preferred. We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role. Competencies
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Thinking: set a clear direction for innovation aligned with the mission and strategic plan; inspire cross-functional teams to embrace creativity and calculated risk-taking. Deep Consumer Empathy and Insight-Driven Decision-Making: understand bakers and consumers; use research and test-and-learn approaches to inform decisions and storytelling. Strong Project Management and Execution Skills: manage complex innovation projects from concept to launch with stage-gate processes and KPIs. Analytical Rigor and Business Acumen: balance creativity with commercial viability and monitor in-market performance. Team Development and Mentoring: build and develop cross-functional teams; foster collaboration and accountability. Success Factors
Passion for baking and food culture Openness to new technologies and methodologies Commitment to King Arthur’s mission and values; community-minded and sustainability-focused Physical Requirements/Work Environment/Safety
The physical demands and work environment are those required to perform essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities. Travel
- Occasional travel for team collaboration, product testing, and market visits. Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the application process and during employment. There is room at our table for you. Apply today.
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