Director, Product Innovation (16 Month Contract)

Saje Natural Wellness; Toronto; On-site; CAD 167,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Wellness days

Health benefits

Paid time off

Product discount

Onboarding buddy

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Saje Natural Wellness in Toronto, Ontario, is seeking a Director of Innovation to lead Product Category Managers and shape a 2–3 year portfolio, ensuring market-ready claims, compelling storytelling, and profitable launches.

Success requires collaboration across Marketing, Creative, R&D, Regulatory, Operations and Finance, balancing creative ambition with commercial discipline to deliver innovative, differentiated products.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience across product innovation, product strategy, category management or development.
• Experience leading teams and coaching high performers.
• Ability to translate business priorities into clear product strategies.
• Excellent cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead Product Category Managers and maintain 3-year roadmaps.
• Oversee creation and approval of Product Concept Briefs and forecasts.
• Drive claims substantiation and storytelling across priority initiatives.
• Coordinate with R&D, Regulatory, Marketing and Creative for development and launch.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Product strategy

People leadership

Strategic thinking

Execution & delivery

Job description

Overview

At Saje Natural Wellness, we're nature's original farmacy, blending the superpower of plants so you can remedy real life, naturally. And like nature, we're continually growing! As we continue to build our team, we're seeking talented people to join us: in our stores, support offices, and distribution centres. We are a purpose-driven, people-first organization where collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets thrive.

We look for individuals who have drive and warmth, agility and passion, and keep customer experience at the centre of everything they do.

At Saje, you’ll connect with a dynamic community and make a positive impact. Join our team and grow your career, alongside the most talented, hard working, and kind-hearted people out there.

The impact you'll make:

The Director of Innovation is a highly cross-functional leadership role accountable for leading the team of Product Category Managers, advancing the product portfolio, and ensuring Saje products are brought to market with clear, compelling and defensible claims and storytelling. Reporting to the VP, Product, this role leads two Product Category Managers and provides the strategic direction, coaching, prioritization and decision-making required to maintain momentum across category roadmaps, active innovation programs and product launches. This leader owns the innovation pipeline - from white-space exploration and concept creation through to the successful execution of the product marketing and creative vision – all while ensuring cross-functional alignment across Marketing, Creative, R&D, Regulatory, Operations and Finance. The role balances creative ambition with commercial discipline, ensuring innovation concepts translate into impactful, profitable and brand-building products.

What you'll do:

Product Category Management & Portfolio Leadership

• Lead Product Category Managers in the maintenance and execution of 3-year Product Category Roadmaps.
• Oversee the creation, presentation and approval of Product Concept Briefs.
• Oversee the maintenance of accurate SOP$ forecasts for all innovation initiatives.
• Provide ongoing coaching and development for Product Category Managers in close collaboration with the VP, Product.

Product Claims, Substantiation & Storytelling Execution

• Lead the execution of the established claims, product substantiation and storytelling roadmap across priority innovation and core portfolio initiatives.
• Coordinate with Product Category Managers, R&D, Regulatory, Marketing and Creative to move claims and storytelling deliverables through development, approval and implementation.
• Maintain claims and storytelling tools, documentation, approval pathways, and decision records to support effective cross-functional execution.
• Monitor progress against the roadmap, surface risks or required decisions, and provide clear updates and recommendations to the VP, Product.
• Ensure approved claims and product stories are implemented clearly and consistently across consumer touchpoints.

Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Ownership

• Own and evolve an innovation pipeline that supports long-term product strategy, financial objectives, and brand differentiation (across a 2-3 year horizon)
• Partner closely with R&D and Regulatory to co-innovate, refine and pivot concepts throughout development
• Lead Product Category Managers to ensure innovation options are clearly quantified and qualified through robust business cases and Product Concept Briefs
• Continuously refine and accelerate the pace and quality of innovation

Commercialization & Go-to-Market Delivery

• Act as a key partner to the VP, Product and Project Management team in the operational success of new product launches.
• Share accountability for product launch timelines and work on risk mitigation options when launches are delayed.
• Maintain accountability for pricing strategy and post-launch performance.

Team Development

• Lead and develop Product Category Managers, with a focus on building team capability and strengthening the internal talent pipeline.
• Build a culture balancing creativity, accountability, rigor, and fun!
• Coach team members and strengthen innovation capabilities.

Primary Cross Functional Partnerships:

Marketing, Creative, R&D, Regulatory, Operations, Finance

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• 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.

Why Saje?

Here at Saje, we understand that joining a team is an important decision to make, so we want to be sure you're supported to do your best work.

The compensation range on average for this position is from $120,000 - $140,000 annually. Base pay is dependent on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.

In addition to your base, we offer:

• 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

Note: The incentive programs, benefits, and perks have certain eligibility requirements. The company reserves the right to alter these incentive programs, benefits, and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

All applications are viewed by a member of our team and therefore we do not use AI as part of our screening & selection process. We do use AI to transcribe our preliminary screening calls with our recruitment team. This job posting is for an existing vacancy on our team that we are presently hiring for.

Saje provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants, and we believe the best teams are made up of diverse perspectives and people. We offer reasonable accommodations to candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and will work with you to ensure you are supported while working at Saje.