INNOVATION BRAND MANAGER

About the role

The Brand Manager, Innovation (Beer) supports the Sr. Director of Insights & Innovation in the new product development process with a primary focus on line extensions across the existing Sierra Nevada craft beer portfolio, as well as new-to-portfolio ground up product initiatives. This role works closely with Brand Marketing, Insights, Brewing, Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Operations and Compliance to shape innovation strategy, build consumer-centric concepts, and bring winning products to market. The Brand Manager, Innovation (Beer) partners day-to-day with the Innovation Project Manager to ensure projects stay on track, deadlines are met, and deliverables are completed with high quality.

Responsibilities

• Support the Sr. Director, Insights & Innovation and work closely with Brand Marketing in identifying and developing new product opportunities with a focus on line extensions (e.g., new flavors, seasonal variants, new pack formats, etc).
• Help develop consumer-led concepts and product propositions, including naming territories, benefit ladders, positioning statements, and occasion-based messaging.
• Assist in the development of business cases (volume, pricing, margin, and investment considerations) in partnership with Finance and Commercial teams.
• Evaluate competitive landscape, category trends, and retailer dynamics to ensure innovation is relevant, differentiated, and commercially viable.
• Partner closely with Brand Marketing to ensure innovation initiatives are strategically aligned and on brand (visual identity, tone, claims, packaging hierarchy, etc.).
• Collaborate with Brewing, Supply Chain and Operations to translate concepts into feasible liquid and packaging solutions that meet cost, timing, and quality requirements.
• Assist Brand team in go-to-market planning, including launch timing, channel prioritization, retail strategy, and promotional recommendations.
• Partner with the Innovation Project Manager to track all key milestones and deliverables, ensuring timelines, owners, and dependencies are clearly documented and updated.
• Support internal alignment by preparing leadership updates, steering committee materials, and launch readiness reviews.
• Help maintain innovation tools and systems such as project trackers, stage-gate documentation, learning plans, and post-launch performance trackers.
• Help drive strong project hygiene: meeting notes, action items, decision logs, risk/issue trackers, and timeline updates.
• Must be willing to work non-standard hours, including some nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in marketing or related field OR any combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved
• Master's Degree marketing or related field preferred
• 3 years marketing experience or 1 years marketing experience with a Master's degree required and 1 year brand or product management within the CPG industry required
• and Demonstrated experience identifying product white spaces, building differentiated brands to meet the consumer need, successfully bringing them to market and driving sustained performance at retail preferred
• Understanding of consumer product innovation processes from concept through commercialization.
• Working knowledge of brand fundamentals, packaging/claims considerations, and retail dynamics.
• Strong cross-functional communication and collaboration skills.
• Project management skills, including timeline management, prioritization, and multi-tasking.
• Strong analytical skills; ability to synthesize research, sales data, and competitive inputs into actions.
• High-quality written and verbal skills; able to create clear, persuasive decks and leadership updates.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast-moving environments while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to build strong relationships across departments with cross-functional counterparts.
• Passion for the craft beer industry, beverage alcohol category, and/or the Sierra Nevada brand.
• Capable of thriving in a collaborative, learning-oriented culture.

Additional Requirements to Consider Before Applying

• To be considered for this role, you must review the full job description, including the physical demands and working environment.
• To apply, you must be at least 21 years of age to work for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
• Selected candidate must pass a pre-employment, post-offer background check.
• This position is based out of our Chico, CA brewery.

Pay and Schedule

$115,829 to $178,956 base compensation for this role. Individual offers are based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Benefits

• Generous 10% company match on 401(k) contributions.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Fostered safety at work with ongoing trainings, state-of-the-art equipment, and preventative care.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• An onsite medical clinic.
• Mental health and well-being benefits including paid sick leave.