Associate Innovation Manager (St. Louis MO)

The Opportunity

Support the Brand Director in leading the innovation and new product development (NPD) pipeline for the Penelope Bourbon brand. Responsible for managing the end-to-end development of new expressions, annual limited-time offerings (LTOs), and packaging innovation. This role ensures all innovation initiatives are grounded in consumer insights, aligned with brand strategy, and executed against established timelines and financial targets.

What You Will Be Doing

• Innovation Pipeline Management - Own the annual NPD and LTO development calendar for Penelope Bourbon, managing all product concepts from ideation through commercialization.

• Partner with the Brand Director to define and prioritize the innovation pipeline across all product tiers: core LTOs (Cooper Series, Limited Series, Batches), Estate Collection releases, aged/finished expressions, and emerging format extensions (e.g., RTP Cocktails).

• Develop and maintain detailed project timelines, stage-gate checkpoints, and launch readiness trackers for all active NPD projects.

• Lead concept development—including liquid brief, naming, and positioning—in collaboration with the Brand Director, Penelope founders and external agency/creative partners.

• Cross-Functional Project Management - Serve as the day-to-day project manager across functions (Supply Chain, Distillery, Legal/Regulatory, Finance, Sales, and Operations) to ensure on-time, on-budget execution of all NPD launches.

• Coordinate with the production and supply chain teams to align on liquid availability, barrel inventory requirements, and bottling timelines.

• Manage packaging development process: work with design agencies on structural and graphic design, facilitate internal approvals, and oversee regulatory review and label compliance.

• Maintain a master innovation calendar and provide status updates to the Brand Director and relevant stakeholders.

• Consumer & Market Insight - Monitor competitive activity and category trends within the premium/ultra-premium bourbon, American whiskey, and adjacent spirits segments to identify white-space opportunities. Leverage consumer research, sensory panels, and trade feedback to inform liquid and packaging decisions.

• Support the Brand Director in translating insights into actionable innovation hypotheses and clear product positioning.

• Financial Planning & Analysis - Build business cases and financial models for proposed innovation projects, including volume projections, COGS, pricing architecture, and gross margin estimates. Track actual vs. planned performance for launched innovations; prepare post-launch readouts and identify learnings to inform future pipeline decisions. Manage innovation-related budget line items in partnership with the Brand Director and Finance.

• Brand Consistency & Packaging Development - Ensure all new product expressions—liquid, packaging, and naming—are consistent with Penelope brand standards, visual identity, and positioning hierarchy. Brief creative and design agencies on packaging projects; manage iterative review cycles and secure final approvals. Work with the Operations and Sales teams to ensure trade and retailer assets (POS, sell sheets, digital imagery) are developed and delivered ahead of each launch.

• Reporting & Business Analytics - Track and report on innovation KPIs, including launch sell-in, distribution velocity, and consumer depletions for all active and recently launched products. Prepare innovation pipeline updates and launch performance recaps for internal leadership reviews and brand planning cycles.

Who We Are Looking For

• B.A./B.S. Degree (Degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or related field preferred)
• Minimum 4 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods marketing, new product development, or brand management; spirits industry experience strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent NPD workstreams against tight timelines.
• Understanding of the innovation/stage-gate process within CPG or spirits.
• Ability to build and communicate clear business cases and financial models.
• Working knowledge of packaging development, print production, and regulatory/TTB label requirements a plus.
• Agency management (experience writing a brief, managing an agency to develop and deliver assets).
• Analytical mindset—comfortable working with Nielsen/IRI data, depletions data, and syndicated research.
• Strong cross-functional collaborator with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Passion for spirits and enthusiasm for the Penelope brand story and portfolio.