Director, Innovation

Description: At Zevia we're creating a world of better-for-you flavor, better for people and the planet.
Our team is made up of builders who are passionate about our mission.
Together we aim to impact global health, provide affordable better-for-you products, and aid the planet through reduction of plastic.
We operate with passion, openness, gratitude, accessibility, humanism, humility, and scrappiness as we fight the good fight to change the beverage industry for good.
Summary We are looking for a resourceful and forward-thinking Director, Innovation.
This is an opportunity to make a difference on our agile growth business, creating a world of better-for-you flavor, better for people and for planet.
The Director, Innovation will report to the Senior Vice President, Innovation and will be responsible for effectively leading the Innovation team and managing their duties related to the development of new products, improving all aspects of existing products, sensory analysis, quality control support and troubleshooting.
This role requires experience working within the Stage Gate process, excellent organizational skills, communication skills, time management, ability to multi-task, and commitment to drive efficiency and agility in achieving immediate and long-term strategic goals.
The Director, Innovation will work cross-functionally with internal teams, including Marketing, Portfolio, Procurement, Quality and Supply Chain, as well as with external suppliers, co-packers and consultants and will be responsible for meeting targets and deadlines set forward in the overall product development plans for the Innovation Department and agreed upon by the SVP, Innovation.
In addition, the Director, Innovation, will facilitate all basic research and development projects undertaken within the Innovation Department and work with Innovation team members to integrate them into Product development projects.
Requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Manage laboratory daily task lists and the Innovation lab team to get things done.
Manage a laboratory upkeep and safety program, monitor compliance.
Lead all aspects of innovation work to conceptualize, design, and develop new products, optimize performance of existing products from ideation through commercialization, ensuring product quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
Foster a highly collaborative environment, facilitate open communication and brainstorming within the organization to increase contribution and value creation.
Promote a culture of innovation within the department and cross-functionally where needed to align innovation efforts with business objectives.
This requires excellent communication skills and collaborative aptitude.
Partner cross-functionally to establish and systemize Innovation, product development and R&D efforts within Stage Gate process that enables effective collaboration between Marketing, Portfolio, Procurement, Quality and Supply Chain teams and ensures smooth and on-time product launches.
Create the necessary tools to help facilitate innovation process.
Build process of innovation for straightforward day-to-day management.
Develop, coordinate and implement improvement strategies & key performance indicators (KPIs) for innovation and development objectives to drive efficiency and agility.
Stay abreast of industry trends and competitor activities to identify potential risks associated with innovation projects and implement mitigation strategies to minimize risks and stay ahead of the market.
Develop and deliver professional presentations to senior management or others within the organization to share updates on various projects, including findings, conclusions, recommended decisions and project statuses, etc.
Develop the Innovation team to lead projects to completion, in a timely manner, and within budget, develop and maintain project plans, tracking progress and resolving any obstacles that may arise along the way.
Regularly assess the performance of innovation team to identify areas for improvement and allocate resources effectively.
Identify skill gaps within the team and coordinate training initiatives to enhance expertise and capabilities.
Make recommendations to the SVP, Innovation on employee development needs and any pay adjustments.
Required Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in food science or related sciences.
Minimum 10 years’ experience in similar product development/scientist role preferably in the beverage space.
Preferred Education and Experience Master’s degree in food science or related science Minimum 6 years’ experience managing lab.
staff.
Experience managing, training and documenting a laboratory safety program Experience in working in a laboratory environment.
Experience with and knowledge of current FDA standards.
Experience interacting with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems and Stage Gate product development processes.
Competencies Demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams Deep and holistic understanding of the innovation process, from ideation to commercialization Is a seasoned product development professional, with excellent interpersonal skills Familiarity with food and beverage laboratory SOPs, safety and GLP protocols.
Familiar with scientific principles in beverage and ingredient development, including sweetener systems.
Proficient in presenting, analyzing and reporting information.
Proficient in project management Detail oriented and highly organized.
Calm under pressure.
Ensures quality of output.
Good deductive reasoning.
Excellent writing skills.
Is a great listener, team player and an overall, positive “yes we can!” person.
Would be described as creative, looking for ways to improve and create efficiencies.
Supervisory Responsibility This position currently has up to 4 direct reports.
These require daily management of duties and performance management and coaching, per Zevia’s policies.
Work Environment This job operates in a professional laboratory/office environment.
This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
This role also uses common laboratory equipment and may require training in more complex analytical equipment such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work Some flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available during the “core” work hours of 8:00 a.
m.
to 4:30 p.
m.
and must work 40 hours each week to maintain full-time status.
Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
This position is expected to be in office Tuesday – Thursday (subject to change, as job duties demand).
Travel This position requires up to 20% travel.
Frequently travel is outside the local area and overnight.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications None.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance Must be eligible to work in the U.
S.
EEO Statement We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified job candidates and employees.
To that end, Zevia maintains a workplace free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of an individual’s race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity, gender expression, change of sex, and transgender status), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy (including childbirth and breastfeeding), medical condition, national origin, ancestry, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), civil union status, familial status, military or veteran status, genetic information, caregiver status, citizenship status, immigration status, Civil Air Patrol status, status as a victim of domestic violence, assault, or stalking, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law (each, a “Protected Characteristic”).
Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.