Description
Central is seeking an Innovation Specialist who is passionate about being part of a team of hard-working people focused on bringing the future of pet and equine care to consumers everywhere. The Innovation Specialist for the Consumer Brands division within Central Life Sciences will play a critical role in supporting innovation initiatives for the Equine and Health & Wellness business units. Reporting to the Senior Director of Innovation, this position will focus on driving product development and strategic initiatives within the Stage Gate process. The role combines elements of innovation management and project management to guide new products from concept to market launch.
We are obsessed with quality and are 100% committed to being the most innovative company in any market we serve. Our mission is to bring awesome products to consumers whenever and wherever they are looking for. We are just getting started. We love our consumers and are fired up to be part of their equine and pet parent journey. And we need more great folks to help us continue to raise the bar for what they think is even possible in their own barns and homes.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Innovation Process Management: Support the entire Stage Gate process by coordinating cross-functional teams, managing timelines, and ensuring alignment with strategic business goals.
- Project Leadership: Lead innovation projects by managing resources, tracking milestones, and facilitating decision-making to ensure timely delivery and adherence to budget.
- Ideation & Concept Development: Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to generate, evaluate, and prioritize new ideas based on market trends, consumer needs, and business objectives.
- Market Research & Trend Analysis: Collaborate with the Insights & Actions team to Conduct ongoing market research to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the equine and wellness sectors, using insights to guide innovation strategies.
- Stakeholder Communication: Prepare and present innovation project updates, reports, and ROI analysis to senior leadership, providing data-driven recommendations for future product development.
- Collaboration & Partnerships: Build relationships with key stakeholders, including R&D teams, external partners, and internal resources, to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Commercialization: Lead cross functional teams to drive innovation to launch and conduct post-mortem analysis on innovation process
QUALIFICATIONS
- B.S. in Business, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.
- 3-5 years of experience in innovation management, product development, or project management within the life sciences, animal health, or consumer products sectors.
- Proven track record of successfully managing innovation projects from ideation to commercialization.
- Strong understanding of the Stage Gate process and project management principles.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams.
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience in the equine or health & wellness/pet industries preferred.
- Familiarity with digital tools for project management and innovation preferred.
- Knowledge of consumer behavior trends and data-driven decision-making preferred.
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Free Life and Disability Insurance
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401k with 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution
- Paid vacation, holidays and sick time
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to thousands of free online courses
- Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
- Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
- Referral Program with cash bonus
- Access to on-demand pay
- Paid parental leave
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2023 net sales of $3.3 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the Pet and Garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, K&H®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California and has 6,700 employees across North America and Europe. Visit www.central.com to learn more.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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