Hybrid Innovation Project Lead - Shape Breakthrough Products

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.; Glen Allen (VA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing program

Paid vacation and holidays

Summer hours

Employee discounts on Hamilton Beach

Job summary

Hamilton Beach Brands is seeking an Innovation Project Lead at our Richmond, VA headquarters. This salaried role leads early-stage innovation, translating consumer insights into breakthrough product opportunities while guiding cross-functional teams from discovery to concept validation.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Industrial Design, Marketing, or Innovation and 4+ years in consumer goods, with a passion for cooking and home products.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Marketing, Innovation, or related field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in consumer-packaged goods or durable goods.
• Curious and creative problem solver with enthusiasm for usable products.
• Ability to visualize ideas with clarity and impact.
• Experience leading innovation or design projects within cross-functional teams.
• Empathic listener comfortable with ambiguity and experimentation.
• Strategic understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics.
• Passion for cooking, baking, beverage making, cleaning and home goods is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams through discovery to proof of concept.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to develop briefs and timelines.
• Identify unmet consumer needs through observations and interviews.
• Translate insights into viable product opportunities.
• Facilitate brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas.
• Oversee development of proof-of-concept prototypes.
• Mitigate risks and ensure on-time delivery.
• Champion a culture of innovation and share best practices.
• Deliver updates to leadership and maintain project documentation.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

User research

Strategic thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Hamilton Beach Brands is seeking an Innovation Project Lead at our Richmond, VA headquarters. This salaried role leads early-stage innovation, translating consumer insights into breakthrough product opportunities while guiding cross-functional teams from discovery to concept validation.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Industrial Design, Marketing, or Innovation and 4+ years in consumer goods, with a passion for cooking and home products.