Innovation Project Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Company HSA contributions

401(k) plan with immediate vesting

Profit sharing program

Paid vacation, holidays, and a paid a‑

Job summary

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. seeks an Innovation Project Lead at our Richmond, VA headquarters. This salaried, exempt, hybrid role guides cross‑functional teams through the earliest phases of product innovation, uncovering consumer needs and shaping the portfolio.

Responsibilities include leading discovery to proof of concept, translating insights into opportunities, and delivering updates to leadership. A bachelor’s degree and 4+ years in CPG/durable goods are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Marketing, Innovation, or a related field.
• 4+ years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods or durable goods industry.
• Curious and creative problem solver with strong visual communication.
• Demonstrated success leading innovation or design projects within cross‑functional teams.
• Empathic listener who embraces ambiguity and experimentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional teams through early‑stage innovation from discovery to proof of concept.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to create strategic project briefs and timelines.
• Identify unmet consumer needs via observations, interviews and user research.
• Translate insights into viable product opportunities for target audiences.
• Facilitate brainstorming to generate diverse, innovative ideas aligned with goals.
• Oversee proof‑of‑concept prototypes to validate feasibility and desirability.
• Mitigate risks, resolve issues and keep teams aligned for on‑time delivery.
• Support training and adoption of best practices to foster innovation culture.
• Deliver clear project updates to leadership and executives.
• Document learnings, reports, and outcomes for future use.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Visualization

Creative problem solver

Ambiguity tolerance

Strategic mindset

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Industrial Design, Marketing, Innovation, or related)

Job description

About Hamilton Beach

Hamilton Beach Brands is a leading designer, marketer, and distributor of innovative household and commercial appliances trusted by consumers around the world. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, we develop and market a broad portfolio of products under well‑known brands including Hamilton Beach®, Weston®, Lotus®, and Hamilton Beach Professional®.

For more than a century, our products have helped simplify everyday life – from preparing meals and beverages at home to supporting foodservice professionals in restaurants, hotels, and commercial kitchens.

Our culture is guided by a shared set of values that shape how we work and make decisions every day: Customer Obsession, People, Good Thinking, Ethics, Passion for Quality, Embrace Change, Teamwork, and commitment to Our Environment and Community.

At Hamilton Beach Brands, we look for people who are collaborative, curious, and motivated to make meaningful impact.

About the Role:

We are seeking qualified candidates for the position of Innovation Project Lead at our Richmond, VA headquarters. This is a salaried, exempt, hybrid role, working in a collaborative and creative environment. The Innovation Project Lead plays a critical role in identifying and shaping the future of our product portfolio by uncovering consumer needs and guiding cross‑functional teams through the earliest phases of innovation.

Salary Range: $100,170.00 To $121,635.00 Annually

Responsibilities Of The Position Include

• Lead, direct and inspire cross‑functional teams through all phases of early‑stage innovation, from discovery to proof of concept.
• Collaborate with Product Managers to develop strategic project briefs and define project timelines.
• Identify unmet consumer needs through observations, interviews, and other human‑centered research techniques.
• Translate user insights into compelling, viable, and breakthrough product opportunities that resonate with target audiences.
• Facilitate collaborative brainstorming sessions to generate a range of meaningfully unique ideas aligned with business goals.
• Oversee the development of proof‑of‑concept prototypes to validate technical feasibility and consumer desirability.
• Mitigate risks, resolve issues, and ensure team alignment to drive projects to successful, on‑time delivery.
• Champion a culture of innovation by supporting training and the adoption of best practices across teams.
• Deliver clear, engaging project updates and findings to leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Maintain thorough documentation of project learnings, reports, and outcomes for future reference.

Requirements Of The Position Include

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design, Marketing, Innovation, or a related field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in the consumer‑packaged goods or durable goods industry.
• Curious and creative problem solver who is positive, passionate, and enthusiastic about crafting highly usable and relevant products.
• Excels in visualizing and articulating ideas with clarity and impact.
• Demonstrated success leading innovation or design projects within cross‑functional teams.
• Empathic listener who is comfortable with ambiguity and experimentation and takes a hands‑on approach.
• Strategic mindset with a strong understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics.
• Comfortable fostering collaboration and aligning diverse stakeholders at all levels.
• Passionate about driving change and continuous improvement.
• A passion for cooking, baking, beverage making, cleaning, and home goods is a plus.

What We Offer

Hamilton Beach Brands offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support your well‑being and long‑term success. Our offerings include:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company HSA contributions
• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting
• Profit sharing program
• Paid vacation, holidays, and a paid charitable day
• Summer hours to support work‑life balance
• Employee discounts on Hamilton Beach products

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. maintains a tobacco‑free and drug‑free workplace. Employees are expected to comply with all company policies related to workplace safety and conduct.

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. Our company uses E‑Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.E‑Verify.gov.