Beverage Innovation Brand Manager

The Role

As more Americans turn to cannabis for well-being, we are looking to grow our team to help us bring additional safe, trusted products to even more consumers and channels across the country.  The Beverage Innovation Brand Manager will be critical in executing our innovation strategy across our beverage portfolio, through both the expansion of existing product lines and the commercialization of new-to-world products.  

As the Beverage Innovation Brand Manager, you will work collaboratively & cross-functionally with operations, consumer insights, brand & trade marketing, quality, and compliance to turn innovation concepts into revenue-generating products that grow our business and delight both our trade partners and our consumers. You will also support the development and refinement of our portfolio strategy.  

This is a hybrid position based out of our Chicago (River North) office 2 days per week. Ability to travel up to 25%. 

Responsibilities

Strategy:

• Support the development of a multi-year innovation pipeline, grounded in category and consumer insights, industry trends, and local market needs 
• Support the continued optimization of our overall innovation processes and systems 
• Own the life cycle of the existing product portfolio, evaluating and recommending cost savings opportunities, formulation/packaging optimizations, and/or SKU rationalizations 
• Maintain intelligence on the market dynamics, including competitive landscape, market share, and environmental factors impacting GTI’s optimal product portfolio.  

Execution:

• Lead the cross-functional development of business cases to validate new product ideas.  
• Lead the cross-functional development of new formulations, including the briefing process, internal and consumer sampling, and approvals with key stakeholders.  
• Lead the cross-functional development of new packaging structures, including the briefing process, sourcing option identification and sourcing, and approvals with key stakeholders.  
• Develop and drive the innovation project management process to ensure a seamless connection to cross-functional teams throughout the new product development process.  
• Partner with Brand Marketing to ensure seamless transitions of creative deliverables throughout the new product development process.  
• Partner with Consumer Insights to identify research opportunities and/or custom data resources to inform product strategy and features.  
• Lead the packaging artwork development process for all market expansion projects.  
• Understand all state-specific regulations impacting both formulations and packaging. 

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive business experience; cannabis or CPG experience is a plus.  
• Experience partnering with internal stakeholders to drive complex, cross-functional projects.  
• Ability to synthesize consumer and business insights into clear recommendations.  
• Strong analytical, commercial, and financial acumen; experience managing a P&L is a plus.  
• Exceptional organization and project management skills; strong attention to detail is a must.  
• Strong writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills  
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, operations, or a related field preferred 
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to effectively prioritize and pivot in a fast-paced environment.  
• Strong product acumen and cannabis knowledge.  
• Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense and resourcefulness 
• Adapts and thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment 
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking 
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information 
• Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of Green Thumb 
• Must have a solid understanding of the Cannabis laws, rules and regulations and passion to further their understanding and knowledge of the industry and the laws. 

Additional Requirements

• Must pass any and all required background checks  
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry  
• Must possess valid driver’s license 
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age 

#Li-Hybrid

The pay range is competitive and based on experience, qualifications, and/or location of the role. Positions may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance.

Green Thumb Pay Range$95,000—$115,000 USD