Assistant Manager, Innovation

Canada Bread - Bimbo; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Bimbo Canada is seeking an Assistant Innovation Manager to translate consumer-first ideas into commercially viable innovations across a broad brand portfolio. You will report to the Innovation Manager and collaborate with Brand Marketing, Product Development, Procurement, Finance, Sales, and Operations to drive growth.

The role blends data-driven creativity with analytical rigor, requiring 2+ years in CPG marketing or project management and a degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of consumer-packaged goods experience; marketing & project management experience highly valued.
• Exposure to ground-up innovation from insight through commercialization and in-market learning.
• Creative, curious and resilient thinking, paired with strong analytical ability and a practical, results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners, international teams and senior leadership to align interests toward project completion.
• Proficiency with digital software such as Microsoft Office Suite. Project management software highly valued.
• Adept at integrating AI and AI-enabled tools into personal workflows to support research, analysis, and efficiency.
• Strong communication, presentation and organization skills.
• Certification in project management or similar is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Understand consumer behaviour, trends, category dynamics, and the competitive landscape to identify opportunities.
• Support the innovation pipeline and 3–5-year roadmap with strong opportunity spaces, briefs and ideas.
• Develop breakthrough concepts and strategies with creative thinking.
• Lead consumer research with insights teams to sharpen propositions.
• Build clear recommendations and business cases using market and financial inputs.
• Lead projects through Stage Gate from ideation to launch approval.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Brand Marketing, Product Development, Procurement, Finance, Sales, Operations, and more.
• Prioritize initiatives by value, complexity, timing and resource requirements.
• Manage timelines, risks and decisions to keep launches on track.
• Own governance routines, ensuring information and decisions are current.
• Track launch performance and post-launch learning to drive actions.
• Support Brand Marketing in business reviews and brand plans to align with priorities.
• Contribute thought leadership to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Consumer insights

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Communication

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing/PM

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Project management software

Job description

About Us !

As part of the largest baking company in the world, Bimbo Canada is a leading producer and distributor of packaged fresh bread, bakery products and snacks. We produce and distribute more than 1,000 products across; 18 brands Canadians know and trust, like Dempster's®, Villaggio®, POM®, Bon Matin®, Stonemill®, Natural Bakery®, Takis®, Thomas'®, Little Bites™, Vachon®, Hostess® and more.

In business for more than 110 years, the company operates 15 bakeries and employs approximately 4,000 associates across Canada. Bimbo Canada creates value by being at the forefront of manufacturing and service delivery innovation in the baking industry through the continued improvement and refinement of its supply chain network while serving major grocery chains, retail outlets and foodservice operations across Canada.

At Bimbo Canada, we’re more than just a bakery - we’re a family dedicated to baking delicious moments for millions. Our beliefs are the foundation of our success, and we’re looking for people who share our commitment to excellence.

Hiring Requirements:

The Assistant Innovation Manager helps turn consumer-first ideas into meaningful, commercially viable innovation across a wide portfolio of brands. Reporting to the Innovation Manager and working alongside cross-functional partners, this role leads and prioritizes innovation projects from insight and concept development through the Stage Gate process, commercialization, launch and learning. It is an opportunity for a curious, energetic product or brand marketer to combine data-driven creative thinking, analytical discipline and strong collaboration to build brands and unlock growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop a keen understanding of consumer behaviour, emerging trends, category dynamics and the competitive landscape, translating learning into clear opportunities and actions.
• Support the innovation pipeline and 3–5-year roadmap by developing strong opportunity spaces, briefs and ideas aligned with portfolio and brand priorities.
• Bring creative thinking and fresh perspectives to develop breakthrough concepts, approaches and strategies.
• Support key consumer research, including concept and product testing, partnering with Consumer Insights to turn findings into sharper propositions.
• Build clear recommendations and practical business cases using consumer, market, customer and financial inputs.
• Lead assigned projects through the Stage Gate process, from ideation and business case development through to launch approval.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Brand Marketing, Product Development, Procurement, Finance, Sales, Operations, Consumer Insights and other internal teams or external partners.
• Prioritize innovation initiatives by assessing value, complexity, timing and resource requirements.
• Manage timelines, risks and key decisions to keep projects on track for timely in-market launches.
• Own day-to-day innovation governance routines, ensuring project information, decisions and next steps are clear, current and actioned.
• Track launch performance and post-launch learning, using data to identify actions and strengthen future projects.
• Support the Brand Marketing team in business reviews and brand plans to ensure innovation connects with broader brand and commercial priorities.
• Contribute thought leadership to strengthen the organizational culture of innovation, experimentation and continuous improvement.

Experience & Education:

• Degree in Business, Marketing, Project Management or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of consumer-packaged goods experience; marketing & project management experience highly valued.
• Exposure to ground-up innovation from insight through commercialization and in-market learning.
• Creative, curious and resilient thinking, paired with strong analytical ability and a practical, results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional partners, international teams and senior leadership to align interests toward project completion.
• Proficiency with digital software such as Microsoft Office Suite. Project management software highly valued.
• Adept at integrating AI and AI-enabled tools into personal workflows to support research, analysis, and efficiency.
• Strong communication, presentation and organization skills.
• Certification in project management or similar is highly valued.

The annual salary range for applicants is: $70,000 - $90,000, which does not include discretionary bonus compensation or our comprehensive benefits package. Actual compensation offered to the successful candidate may vary from posted hiring range based upon geographic location, work experience, education, and/or skill level, among other factors.

Growth Opportunities:

Bimbo Canada is committed to personal and professional growth. We offer training, development, and advancement opportunities both domestically and internationally.

Innovation

Be part of a company that constantly innovates in the food industry. Your work will contribute to creating delicious products loved by millions.

The Bimbo Way:

We believe in the special dignity and value of the human person. We believe that as people we form one community and we believe that this community is focused on getting results. We do this by competing and winning in the market with superior quality in everything we do. We believe in being sharp operators; that is, being very, very good at what we do, and always acting with integrity so that as a company we can transcend and endure for a very long time. That’s the Bimbo Way.

We are incredibly proud of our distinction as one of Canada’s Most Admired Cultures by Waterstone Human Capital. This recognition is a reflection of how strong, people-first culture drives exceptional performance and sets us apart as industry leaders. Bimbo Canada was also named one of Canada’s Best Employers for 2026 by Forbes! This tremendous honour recognizes our commitment to creating an outstanding workplace for our associates.

We thank all interested applicants, but only those selected will be contacted. Please note all offers of employment at Bimbo Canada (Formerly Canada Bread Company Limited) are conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-hire background check (including but not limited to criminal history, reference, credit and/or physical demands checks) as appropriate for the role and as permitted by law.

Bimbo Canada is an equal opportunity employer that is dedicated to building a diverse workplace that promotes diversity, equity and belonging in the workplace, and encourages applications from qualified people of all genders, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities.We welcome applications from all interested individuals; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job seekers with disabilities who require accommodation during the recruitment process, or would like more details about accessibility, should contact Bimbo Canada Accessibility at [e-mail].