Head of Innovation

Ornua; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and annual bonus

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k)

Paid time off

Maternity and parental leave

Flexible working

Fitness reimbursement

Charitable donation support

Complimentary Kerrygold products

Free parking and secure bicycle store

Office snacks and drinks

Recognition programs

Volunteering opportunities

Long-service awards

Job summary

Ornua in Evanston, IL is seeking a Head of Innovation to lead the U.S. consumer-led growth agenda, translating insights into launches, renovations and portfolio decisions. Reporting to Senior Director, Brand Marketing OFNA, you will manage portfolio strategy, stage-gate governance, cross-functional collaboration, and partnerships with Global Innovation Team to adapt platforms for the U.S.

market. The role offers a dynamic, hybrid work environment with opportunities to influence key customers and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Marketing.
• 10+ years in CPG, with innovation strategy, development and commercialization.
• Experience with retail consumer products and cross-functional leadership.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Develop an insights-driven innovation strategy aligned with market dynamics and financial goals.
• Lead end-to-end innovation from strategy to market launch, including design, pricing and packaging.
• Collaborate with Global Innovation to localize platforms for the U.S. market.
• Direct stage-gate governance, evaluate fit, opportunity and profitability.
• Partner cross-functionally to move concepts to commercialization with clear ownership.
• Manage priorities, budgets, and investments for high-value opportunities.
• Support key customers with innovation opportunities and growth.
• Lead executive communications and manage stakeholders across OFNA and Ornua.
• Establish metrics and monitor portfolio performance; adjust actions for outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Design Thinking

Consumer insights

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing

Job description

Job Title: Head of Innovation

Function: Ornua Foods North America, Marketing

Reports to: Senior Director, Brand Marketing OFNA

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Position Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Standard business hours

Ornua (meaning “new gold”) is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, proudly bringing the unique taste of Irish dairy to the world since 1961.

Are you an experienced innovation leader looking for the challenge of shaping a consumer-led growth agenda in the U.S. market?

Ornua is actively seeking a Head of Innovation to join the Ornua Family as we continue our growth trajectory.

WHY THIS ROLE IS VALUABLE

Reporting to the Senior Director, Brand Marketing OFNA, the Head of Innovation will lead the U.S. innovation agenda and build a robust, consumer-led pipeline of products. This role is responsible for portfolio strategy and management, adaptation of global platforms for the U.S. market, disciplined stage-gate execution, and support for key customers. Working across Insights, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, and global partners, this leader will translate consumer and category opportunities into commercially viable launches, renovations, and portfolio decisions that support sustainable growth.

What You Will Be Responsible For

• Develop and lead a consumer-insight-driven innovation strategy that identifies unmet and underserved consumer needs while aligning with market dynamics, competitive trends, brand priorities, and financial objectives.
• Lead the end-to-end innovation process from strategy and concept development through commercialization, including product design, channel strategy, pricing, packaging, forecasting, and market launch execution.
• Collaborate with Global Innovation Team to drive the prioritization, scaling, localization, and consistency of innovation development, while adapting global platforms and ideas to meet U.S. market needs.
• Direct stage-gate governance and investment decision-making, evaluating strategic fit, market opportunity, consumer demand, competitive landscape, sales potential, profitability, commercial risk, resource requirements, and timing.
• Partner cross-functionally to move concepts from insight through commercialization, ensuring clear ownership, sound decision-making, and strong execution.
• Manage innovation priorities, pipeline investments, and budgets to ensure resources are aligned against the highest-value growth opportunities.
• Provide innovation support for key customers and translate customer and market needs into actionable growth opportunities.
• Lead executive communications and manage key stakeholders across OFNA and the wider Ornua Group.
• Establish performance metrics and success criteria, continuously monitor innovation and portfolio performance, and recommend actions to improve business outcomes.

What You Will Bring

• Strong leadership capability within a CPG marketing and innovation environment.
• Fluency in consumer-led innovation methods, including Design Thinking and disciplined new product development processes.
• Deep understanding of the U.S. retail, consumer, and competitive landscape.
• Strong commercial judgment, with the ability to evaluate opportunities using consumer, category, financial, and operational inputs.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and negotiation skills.
• Advanced communication and stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to influence senior leaders and align cross-functional teams.
• A collaborative, self-motivated approach with the energy to balance local business needs and broader Group priorities.
• A passion for high-quality food and building brands and products that deliver meaningful consumer value.

Experience And Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business and/or Marketing.
• 10 years of relevant CPG experience, including demonstrated success in innovation including leading innovation strategy, product development and commercialization.
• Experience with consumer products sold through retail channels.
• Experience managing at least 1 direct report.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 20%.
• Authorization to work for any employer in the United States.

Desired Qualifications

• MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
• Food and beverage industry experience.
• Experience adapting global innovation platforms for the U.S. market.
• Proven capability to lead in a matrix organization driving collaboration across businesses and functions.

ORNUA VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

• Curiosity: Creates an environment for innovative thinking and recognizes creative ideas and continuous improvement.
• Ownership: Empowers performance, ensures quality and delivery, and makes decisions that support sustainable growth.
• Communicative: Applies advanced communication skills to create an honest, constructive impact and achieve desired outcomes.
• Collaborative: Works effectively across functions, cultures, personalities, and levels to build strong relationships and deliver performance.

DYNAMIC WORKING

Ornua’s Dynamic Working policy supports flexible hours and hybrid working, with three days per week in the office and a two-week-per-year Work From Anywhere option.

COMPENSATION AND TOTAL REWARDS PAY RANGE: $165,150–$201,850

The approved recruiting salary range for this M3 role is $165,150–$201,850. The final offer will be based on relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.

• Competitive salary and annual bonus opportunity
• Medical, vision, and dental coverage
• A 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Maternity and parental leave
• Flexible working
• Fitness reimbursement
• Charitable donation support
• Complimentary Kerrygold products
• Free parking and secure bicycle storage
• Office snacks and drinks
• Reward and recognition programs
• Volunteering opportunities
• Long-service awards

About Ornua

Ornua is a dairy co-operative that sells dairy products on behalf of its Members—Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. Headquartered in Dublin, Ornua exports to markets around the world through its Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients divisions. Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of consumer brands, including Kerrygold, while Ornua Ingredients serves food manufacturing and foodservice customers globally.

Ornua Foods North America Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.