Senior Innovation Manager Jobs

Eclipse Foods is building the future of dairy using micelles (the microscopic magic of milk.) Eclipse has developed the world's first plant-based dairy tech platform which makes plant-based products that are indistinguishable from conventional dairy. We are transforming the $500B dairy industry and are the team behind JUST Mayo, have chef’d/ staged at 16 Michelin stars, and are alt-protein experts. We’ve raised over $60M from leading investors such as Y Combinator, the chairman of Beyond Meat, the founder of Reddit, the creator of Gmail, Forerunner Ventures, Sozo Ventures, Initialized Capital, and more. Our mission is to create a more sustainable, healthy, and humane food system by making amazing plant-based foods that require no sacrifice.
Eclipse is seeking a driven Senior Innovation Manager who will be instrumental in our mission to create plant-based dairy products that transform the dairy sector for good. We are quickly growing our product portfolio and ranks, and are seeking an innovation expert to help us actualize our ambitious vision by aggressively driving and owning all things innovation in order to bring products to market that people truly love. As an essential part of our team, you will work across all functions including leadership, product development, operations, marketing, sales and more, to shape the innovation pipeline and strategy strategy, solve complex challenges, and create plans to win.
The ideal candidate must be able to show demonstrated success in bringing products that consumers love from concept to market, leading strategically complex and large-scope innovation projects, and bringing a business-forward approach to innovation. The candidate must have mastery in working cross-functionally, directing multiple short and long-term innovation projects simultaneously, and managing internal and external partners. Importantly, successful applicants must possess excellent business acumen and a deep passion, knowledge, and curiosity for plant based food and its ability to transform the food system for good.
This role will report directly to the Director of Product Development (note this is currently an open role).
Who are we?

• We’re the people behind some of the best selling plant-based products in the world (JUST mayo, for example).
• We’ve raised over $60M from renowned investors such as Y Combinator, the Chairman of Beyond Meat, the Founder of Reddit, Forerunner Ventures, Initialized Capital, Sozo Ventures, and more- all to achieve our audacious vision and mission.
• We’re people of integrity. We do what we say we will do, we treat others right, we care deeply about those around us, and we put our hearts into our work.
• Last, but not least, we are CREAMY. Our values are Communication, Respect, Ego-free, Attentive, Moral compass points north, and Yes we can attitude. If you embody all of these values, you’ll fit right in.
• We are constantly hustling to get things done that need to get done. We all “do the dishes”. We embody the true spirit of a startup.
• We launched the first-ever dairy-free shake available at a national chain (Smashburger) and have partnered with some of the best chefs in the world, including Michael Tusk of Quince (3 Michelin stars) and Corey Lee of Benu (3 Michelin stars)
• We’re the next massive plant-based food company, revolutionizing the $500B dairy sector.
• We’re on a mission to help our planet, our health, and animals by creating a solution to fix the food system.

Who are you?

• A relentless cross-functional collaborator who drives progress, accountability, and solutions to overcome hurdles and challenges
• Equally comfortable with big picture strategic planning and the details of tactical execution and have no trouble switching between macro and micro views
• Curious, constantly seeking opportunities to improve, optimize, and innovate
• A financially-minded driver with an exceptional understanding of the financial aspects of product development, commercialization, GTM strategy, etc. and what levers to pull to drive change
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s in Food Science, Project Management, or related experience
• Present strategy effectively to key stakeholders with your expert communication skills
• A best-in-class innovation manager with proven success tenaciously building innovation pipelines and leading products from concept to insights work to product development to commercialization in market, resulting in positive margin products that people love
• An intelligent and articulate individual who can relate to and motivate people at all levels of an organization with an empathetic approach
• Low ego and a fantastic team player who teaches by doing. You work smart and can operate at various altitudes
• An innovation subject matter expert with experience collaborating on opportunity identification and quantification, consumer research methodologies and design, positioning and concept development, product development, commercialization, business proposition/P&L development
• Demonstrated success in executing innovation to deliver on time, within budget, and to consumer and internal expectations
• Eight+ (8) years’ minimum senior level innovation management experience in both large CPG and early-stage fast-growth startup(s)
• Possess a deep understanding of innovations in the manufacturing process and knowledge of best practices and quality standards
• Have strong planning, project management, stage-gate, and execution skills, and the ability to build and manage complex systems and processes
• Have an ownership mindset and are a strategic thinker. Setting goals and priorities, creating and executing plans, measuring KPIs and metrics, and aligning tactics with key results all come naturally to you

What will you do?

• Implement and fine tune short term and long-term innovation OKRs and KPIs to achieve goals
• Leverage your network to make high value connections and partnerships to achieve top corporate objectives
• Oversee project management life cycle of taking product from concept to market, including owning product costing, ensuring margin targets are tracked and achieved
• Create a world-class innovation pipeline and continuously bring breakthrough products and innovation from concept to market on time and aligned with consumer, financial, and business strategies
• Model and foster the culture, values, and mission of Eclipse
• Establish processes, practices, and SOPs that help realize the innovation vision effectively and efficiently now and in the future
• Collaborate cross-functionally to Identify and pilot new approaches for consumer research, trend incorporation, ingredient identification, product design, and product testing to build internal innovation toolkit and develop proprietary innovation process
• Expected travel: 10 - 20%
• Relentlessly drive progress, accountability, and success in the innovation process, working cross-functionally to overcome hurdles and hit deadlines, targets, and goals
• Work with Founders and cross-functional teams to build out and own a multi-year innovation and renovation strategy roadmap and pipeline in existing and new categories, partnering with Marketing, Sales, and Finance to drive commercial success

This is a full-time position with a hybrid work environment (remote permitted one day per week). Our headquarters and new R&D labs and pilot plant are located in Alameda, CA, and we offer free on-site parking, a 401K company match, flexible PTO, team lunch on Fridays, company paid subscription to Headspace, and more.
Annual base salary range: $110,000 - $145,000 + equity options
The above represents the expected annual salary for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining our salary ranges, we consider skills, location, experience, and other job-related factors, while balancing internal equity relative to peers at the company.
Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.
Authorization to work in the U.S. is required; we do not provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Eclipse Foods is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our products, and our customers. We are deeply committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Reasonable Accommodation
Eclipse applicants are considered solely based on their qualifications, without regard to applicant’s disability or need for accommodation. Any Eclipse applicant who requires reasonable accommodations during the application process should contact [email protected] to make the need for an accommodation known.