Brand Manager, Marketing Innovation

Nylabone; Neptune Township (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation & holidays

Education Assistance

Job summary

Central Garden & Pet Company seeks a Brand Manager, Innovation to lead development and commercialization of new products for the Dog & Cat portfolio. This onsite role partners across functions to translate consumer insights into compelling product propositions and successful go‑to‑market execution.

The position manages innovation projects end-to-end, from idea through launch, working with R&D, Creative, Packaging, Supply Chain, Quality, Legal and Finance to deliver on time and within scope.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in brand management, innovation marketing, or product marketing within CPG.
• Hands-on experience supporting or leading NPD and product launches.
• Strong analytical and consumer insight skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex cross-functional projects.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and commercialization of new products and line extensions for the Dog & Cat BU.
• Translate consumer insights into compelling propositions and go-to-market plans.
• Own day-to-day management of innovation projects from idea through commercialization.
• Collaborate with R&D, Creative, Packaging, Supply Chain, Quality, Legal and Finance to meet timelines.
• Lead go-to-market planning: positioning, packaging, pricing, channels and launches.
• Track launch performance and apply learnings to future innovations.

Skills

Brand management

Innovation marketing

NPD & product launches

Analytical skills

Communication & storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Business

Tools

Circana/Nielsen data

Job description

The Brand Manager, Innovation is responsible for partnering cross functionally to lead the development and commercialization of new products and line extensions that drive incremental growth for the Dog & Cat BU portfolio of brands. This role leads innovation projects from concept through launch for the Marketing department, partnering cross-functionally to translate consumer insights into compelling propositions and ensuring successful go-to-market execution. Based out of our Neptune City, NJ facility, this position is onsite five days per week.

Measures Of Success

Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Support

• Support the development and execution of the innovation roadmap aligned with brand and portfolio growth strategies.
• Identify whitespace opportunities through consumer insights, trend analysis, and competitive assessment.
• Contribute to prioritization of innovation initiatives based on consumer value, feasibility, and business impact.

Consumer Insights & Concept Development

• Translate qualitative and quantitative consumer insights into compelling product concepts and value propositions.
• Drive concept development, concept testing, and learning plan execution in partnership with Insights teams.
• Synthesize insights into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.

New Product Development (NPD) Leadership

• Own day-to-day management of innovation projects, in partnership with the Project Management team, from idea through commercialization.
• Partner with R&D, Creative, Packaging, Supply Chain, Quality, Legal, and Finance to deliver products on time and within scope.
• Manage timelines, stage-gate deliverables, and decision-making documentation.

Go-to-Market & Launch Execution

• Marketing lead for go-to-market planning including positioning, claims, packaging, pricing, channel strategy, and launch activation.
• Partner with Sales to support retailer sell-in materials and customer presentations.
• Oversee development of launch assets in collaboration with Creative, Media, Digital, and Shopper teams.

Performance Tracking & Optimization

• Track launch performance including trial, repeat, velocity, distribution, and financial results.
• Conduct post-launch reviews to identify learnings and optimization opportunities.
• Apply insights to refine future innovation efforts.

Cross-Functional & Agency Collaboration

• Serve as the central point of coordination across internal teams and agency partners for innovation initiatives.
• Ensure brand standards and strategic intent are consistently reflected across all innovation touchpoints.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

Required Skills & Experience

• 3+ years of experience in brand management, innovation marketing, or product marketing within CPG.
• Hands-on experience supporting or leading NPD and product launches.
• Strong analytical and consumer insight skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience in food, petcare, wellness, or adjacent consumer categories.
• MBA or advanced degree.
• Familiarity with stage-gate innovation processes and consumer research methodologies.
• Experience working with syndicated data (e.g., Circana, Nielsen).

Benefits Package & Employee Programs

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Free Life and Disability Insurance.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
• 401 (k) with a 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to thousands of free online courses.
• Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
• Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications).
• Referral Program with a cash bonus.
• Access to on-demand pay.
• Paid parental leave.

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands, including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin®, and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.