Brand Manager, Innovation (12 Month Contract)

Join Riverside Natural Foods Ltd., a $300 million+ Canadian-based, family-owned, and globally operating business, committed to leaving the world better than we found it. As a B-Corp certified, Triple-Bottom Line company, we proudly manufacture nutritious, 'better-for-you' snacks such as MadeGood and GOOD TO GO. We value teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, grit, and fun.

We’re on an ambitious mission to double our business by 2027, and we need talented individuals like you to help us reach new heights. At Riverside, you’ll have the opportunity to chart your own path to success while contributing to ours. We believe anything worth doing is worth doing right, and our values will guide us through the rugged terrain – and yes, it will get rough. But that’s what makes the journey worthwhile.

So, lace up your boots and let’s tackle the climb together.

You can learn more about us at www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

Job Description: Brand Manager, Innovation (12-Month Contract)

Position Summary/Objective:
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Brand Manager, Innovation to join our team on a 12-month contract. Reporting to the Senior Brand Manager of the flagship MadeGood brand, this role is pivotal in leading innovation projects and shaping the company’s long-term innovation strategy. The ideal candidate will have a consumer-first mindset, be a creative problem solver with strong analytical skills, and possess a passion for innovation—and delicious snacks!

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leadership of Innovation Projects: Lead disruptive and new platform innovation projects from concept to sales ready, collaborating with cross-functional teams including R&D, Engineering, Category, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and Regulatory. Key responsibilities include:
  • Develop product concepts and strategic positioning based on consumer and market data, aligning with brand strategy and vision.
  • Brief R&D on innovation concepts, incorporating brand guardrails and consumer trends.
  • Conduct risk assessments to mitigate challenges during development.
  • Define Go-To-Market strategies considering competitive landscapes, consumer needs, and market dynamics across brand, category, and channels.
  • Develop P&L models and forecasts in collaboration with Finance and Sales Planning.
  • Prepare gate approval documentation, presenting actionable recommendations to stakeholders to gain alignment.
  • Create data-driven sales materials such as sales decks and sell sheets to support innovation launches.
  • Manage the end-to-end execution of commercialization plans for new product launches, ensuring seamless implementation across sales, marketing and operations.
• Innovation Pipeline Generation:
  • Be the expert on consumer and market trends through in-depth research, category analysis, and competitive insights.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Brand Manager in identifying whitespace opportunities for innovation driven by consumer insights.

Education & Qualifications:

• Degree in Business, or related fields.
• 3-5+ years’ experience in CPG/retail or other consumer facing organization working in Brand Management.
• Proven track record of managing innovation development from idea to launch with a consumer-first mindset.
• Collaborative cross-functional partner with experience working with Sales, R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance and Regulatory teams in the development and commercialization of new product innovations.
• Strong analytic skills - fluent with Nielsen/SPINS and Numerator (a bonus), distilling data into tangible actions and innovation forecasting.
• Strong financial acumen, including P&L understanding
• Excellent oral, verbal and written communication skills.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leadership skills and an ownership mentality.
• Team player with the ability to work effectively across functions and cross culturally, interfacing with all levels of management and possessing the strong ability to influence.
• Strong project management skills
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and can leverage both qualitative insights and intuition for informed decision-making.
• Self- starter individual, with an entrepreneurial spirit who enjoys working in a start-up-like work environment and is motivated to create an impact on the organization.
• Demonstrates strong strategic and critical thinking, is creative, and has problem-solving capabilities.
• Embraces, demonstrates, and upholds Riverside’s values of teamwork, humility, respect, ownership, adaptability, passion, and FUN!

What we expect:

• Values-led: You’ll be a member of a thoughtful and compassionate team that prioritizes respect, teamwork and resourcefulness along with a good dash of fun. Sometimes, even making granola bars is hard, and life’s too short to take ourselves so seriously that we don’t enjoy the journey.
• Unparalleled experiences and opportunities: We’re still determining who we are and what we can be. Help us shape what this organization will look like and what we’ll offer the world, into the future. This means rolling up your sleeves and sometimes building the process – fast! – while employing it. At Riverside, progress occasionally means proceeding imperfectly, and we’re okay with that, as long as we’re staying true to our values and learning and improving along the way.
• Access to everyone: We’re a flat organization with few silos which means you’ll have full access to everyone from our founders to our production staff. Even when employees dress up, they wear steel-toed shoes. So don’t be shy. Speak up, share your ideas and go places you normally wouldn’t – like the plant, or the boardroom.
• Personal development: We’ll support and empower you to chart your own path and reach any heights you set for yourself. Career paths at Riverside are carved by the people walking on them, not dictated by leaders. Count on us to give you the training and tools to grow and progress.
• Gratitude: As a growing business, we can’t always offer formal recognition like awards programs, but we do show our true gratitude and appreciation. At Riverside, we’re all in this together and we value you.

What We Offer:

• Values-led: We don’t cut corners or step on anyone or anything on our way to our summit. There is no winning at all costs here. Every step you take must align with our values, no compromises.
• Courageous determination: As a family-run, rapidly growing business, we are often challenged to find ways to deliver that aren’t obvious or easy. You must be willing to try, ask and answer challenging questions, test and learn, turn over every stone, keep moving forward and help us find a way through. Resourcefulness and grit will be your constant companions at Riverside and will serve you well.
• Humility: We’re a small (but growing) fish in a sea of whales and sharks. We know the products we offer are some of the healthiest and most sustainable, but we don’t brag about it, and know we have a steep path ahead. We pride ourselves in being respectful and supportive of others while shining brightly through our innovative, high-quality products. There isn’t one superstar at Riverside. We take turns leading the way as we climb to the summit.
• Continuous improvement: As a learn-as-we-go organization, we rely on each other to continuously improve everything we touch to make it better, more efficient, more sustainable, and more endearing to customers, consumers, employees, vendors, partners and the community. We own our mistakes and learn from them as we wind our way to the top.

Wait! There’s more!

• Immerse yourself in our comprehensive benefits program, with Riverside taking care of the costs!
• RRSP matching or IRA matching for an empowered financial journey
• Join Employee-Led Resource Groups (ERGs) championing mental health, sustainability, diversity, women, and LGBTQ+ rights
• Develop your career further through our Riverside University program and with our Tuition Reimbursement Program
• An open concept work environment that embodies our Values

How to Apply:

If you have the commitment to excellence, the energy, the attitude and experience we need, then please submit your resume to careers(AT)riversidenaturals.com with the job title you are applying for in the subject line or click the apply button!

Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodation in the interview process, please let us know when you apply. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, due to volume, please note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.