Innovation Brand Manager

Constellation Brands; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Constellation Brands in Atlanta is seeking an Innovation Manager to drive disruptive product ideas within our Wine & Spirits portfolio. You will lead cross‑functional teams, develop strategic foundations, and translate consumer insights into scalable initiatives.

You will partner with agencies, manage projects from concept to launch, and help strengthen the innovation culture across the Growth & Innovation Team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Management, or related field.
• 5 years of experience in a CPG company with at least 3 years in brand marketing and innovation.
• Strong interest in lifestyle marketing and beverage alcohol categories.
• Ability to bring structure to ambiguity and work in a matrix environment.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead ideation sessions to develop consumer- and category-driven innovation recommendations.
• Create new innovation platforms from concept to liquid, design, and positioning.
• Manage agencies and cross-functional partners to support new product development.
• Test and validate ideas with insights partners using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Apply design thinking to create standout, consumer-focused innovations.
• Capture feedback and align leadership around business cases and positioning.

Skills

Brand marketing

Innovation

Cross-functional leadership

P&L experience

Financial acumen

Consumer insights

Project management

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA

Job description

Overview

Driven by a passion for what’s next, Constellation Brands embraces innovation and bold ideas to shape a future that we truly believe is worth reaching for. We question norms, listen carefully, and anticipate trends. We are the fastest-growing, large consumer product goods company in the U.S. at retail.

The Growth & Innovation Team creates bold ideas inside and outside of our premium portfolio of iconic Wine & Spirit brands, including Kim Crawford, Meiomi, The Prisoner, SVEDKA Vodka and High West Whiskey. The Innovation Manager will act as a creative spark and cross‑functional team leader, igniting big ideas, establishing strategic foundations, influencing and inspiring, and building business for innovation platforms worth investing in. The role reports to the Senior Director of W&S Innovation/Growth and is responsible for developing and flawlessly executing disruptive product innovations that drive portfolio growth and brand equity while strengthening our innovation capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Pipeline Development: Lead and participate in ideation and brainstorming sessions to develop consumer and category trend‑driven and strategically sound innovation recommendations for the business.
• Innovation Project Leadership: Create new innovation platforms from concept to liquid, package design and positioning, ensuring impactful launch and sustained market success.
• Internal and External Partner Management: Manage agencies and collaborate closely with cross‑functional partners to support new product development and maximize available resources.
• Research: Work with Innovation Insights and external research partners to test, validate and vet ideas and concepts at various stages of development, utilizing advanced consumer insights to identify opportunities and optimize concepts that will drive growth.
• Creative & Design Thinking: Apply highly creative, design‑driven approaches to develop innovation that stands out and engages customers and consumers alike.
• Best Practice Development: Operate as an innovation thought leader, identifying and implementing best practices to strengthen how the organization builds and executes innovation.
• Leadership Alignment: Capture feedback and build consensus around innovation business cases and positioning with the Wine & Spirits Leadership team.
• Business Acumen: Demonstrate a thorough understanding of business and category key drivers, including competitive frameworks and brand/product dynamics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a relevant focus (Marketing, Business, Management, etc.).
• 5 years’ experience in a CPG company with 3 years of brand marketing and innovation focused experience.
• Strong interest and passion for lifestyle marketing and beverage alcohol categories.
• Comfortable and experienced bringing structure to ambiguity.
• Experience thinking both creatively and analytically in a business setting.
• A passion for innovation, the “what’s next?”, and the drivers behind consumer behavior.
• Clear, concise and persuasive written & oral communication skills.
• Exceptional organization and project management skills.
• Experience leading strong cross‑functional teams and influencing within a matrix environment.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, exposure to working with P&L’s.
• Ability to identify, interpret and apply critical consumer insights to new product development, with experience applying varying research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) to the process.
• Experience directing and collaborating with external partners (e.g., brand strategy, package design, research agencies) for brand development and execution.
• Experience managing or mentoring talent with a strong belief in the power of the team.
• Proven track record of successful innovation utilizing a stage‑gate process.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA.
• Wine industry and/or consumer product company (CPG) experience highly preferred.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

Must be at least 21 years of age. Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.