Contract Brand Innovation Manager

Day To Day

Lead and manage innovation projects across the portfolio, from concept through commercialization.

Steward projects through the stage-gate process, ensuring milestones, timelines, deliverables, and decisions stay on track.

Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, R&D, Sales, Operations, and other key stakeholders to drive projects forward.

Manage multiple innovation workstreams simultaneously and identify risks, dependencies, and roadblocks.

Bring strong PMO/project management discipline to the innovation process.

Maintain and evolve the innovation pipeline and identify opportunities for future growth.

Facilitate communication and alignment across teams and ensure clear ownership and accountability.

Provide visibility into project status, timelines, and key decisions to senior leadership.

What You Bring

• 3+ years of experience in brand innovation or product innovation
• 5+ years in CPG/brand management experience
• Experience managing innovation projects through a stage-gate development process
• Strong project/program management and organizational skills; comfortable managing multiple projects at once
• Experience working cross-functionally across Marketing, R&D, Sales, Operations, and/or other business functions
• Food or CPG experience strongly preferred; food & beverage experience ideal
• Ability to quickly step into an existing organization, create structure, and drive projects forward with minimal ramp-up
• Strategic thinker who is also highly hands-on and execution-oriented
• Chicago-based and able to work 2–3 days per week onsite throughout the length of the contract (till the end of the year)

Pay & Benefits

This position pays an hourly rate (w2) of $55/hr-$65/hr based on experience and as a consultant with LaSalle Network you are eligible to enroll in benefits. For details, visit here.