Brand Innovation Architect

CRG Search; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 81,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

CRG Search is seeking an Innovation Manager to lead consumer-focused innovation across the organization, translating insights into market-ready ideas while balancing feasibility and business viability. You will drive end-to-end processes from ideation to launch, coordinating with R&D, sensory teams, and commercialization to bring innovations to market.

The role emphasizes a hands-on, independent mindset, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple projects within a highly integrated team

Qualifications

• Self-starter able to work independently.
• Innovation experience in CPG or related consumer product industries.
• Experience translating consumer insights into viable business ideas.
• Track record of working with consumer insights partners.
• Experience guiding products through stage gate processes.
• Ability to balance feasibility, viability, and consumer appeal.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovation ideas with a consumer mindset and business acumen.
• Work with insights partners to understand consumer problems.
• Lead early front-end innovation including product development with R&D and sensory teams.
• Develop packaging concepts.
• Guide products through the stage gate process.
• Prioritize which innovations to move forward based on feasibility, viability, and consumer appeal.
• Serve as the central hub coordinating innovation efforts across the organization.
• Work with commercialization teams to bring products to market.
• Encompasses the full end-to-end innovation process from idea generation through consumer insights, product development, concept testing, packaging development, and final launch.
• Some innovations grow at different speeds and may be parked for later relevance, requiring ongoing nurturing and development

Skills

Self-starter mentality

Innovation experience in CPG

Consumer insights collaboration

Product development & RD

Packaging development/testing

Stage gate guidance

Reading consumer data

Collaborative work style

Job description

CRG Search is seeking an Innovation Manager to lead consumer-focused innovation across the organization, translating insights into market-ready ideas while balancing feasibility and business viability. You will drive end-to-end processes from ideation to launch, coordinating with R&D, sensory teams, and commercialization to bring innovations to market.

The role emphasizes a hands-on, independent mindset, collaboration, and the ability to manage multiple projects within a highly integrated team