Job Description

General Pet Supply


Work Location: GA - Atlanta
Job Code: 10660


The Garden Innovation team is charged with driving top and bottom-line growth for Garden business units through the effective commercialization of incremental new products. The team has made great progress with new items launched, more coming this year, and strengthening pipelines for the future. We are hiring a Brand Manager of Innovation to expand the bandwidth and to add more great thinking to this team.

This Atlanta-based role will primarily support our Grass Seed and Branded Controls (Fertilizers & Pesticides) business units. This position will be responsible for leading complex projects from idea generation to commercialization, guiding Innovation Strategy, and pursuing growth projects focused on the consumer and customer experience. This role provides ample opportunity to gain experience and contribute meaningfully.

The ideal candidate will have a collaborative approach that develops close working partnerships with base Brand Teams, R&D, Consumer Insights, Sales, the Garden Innovation team, and other internal/external partners. The right person for this role will be able to demonstrate the ability to make decisions rooted in insights, creatively solve problems to advance projects and identify what is needed to be successful as the champion for their projects. This role reports directly to the Senior Brand Manager of Innovation, Garden Segment. The Innovation team is led by the Senior Director of Innovation, Garden.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

• • Effectively develop and commercialize the most complex projects within her/his areas of responsibility on time and in a manner that drives growth for the business
• • Guide the Innovation Strategy for assigned product segments and brands
• • Develops and reports on pipeline health via KPIs that ensure a robust, multi-year pipeline
• • Partners with R&D and Procurement on contract negotiations/implementation with new suppliers
• • Analyzes competitive portfolios, IP/patents, and industry trends for areas of opportunity
• • Closely partners with Consumer Insights and Brand Teams to deeply understand the categories, consumers, brands, and products within Lawn & Garden, and to identify new categories for growth.
• • Fosters and builds a culture of Innovation within the Garden Segment and partner Business Units

IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES

• • Bachelor’s degree in marketing or business required, MBA preferred
• • 3+ years of new product development experience in consumer products
• • Experience within the Lawn & Garden industry; EPA regulated products is a plus
• • Marketing/Sales experience focused on Home Center, Mass, or Hardware retailers preferred
• • Development and/or commercialization of eCommerce products a plus
• • Experience in strong cross functional collaboration, including with Consumer Insights, Brand, R&D, Finance, Manufacturing, and external agency partners.
• • Creative, resourceful problem solving combined with an analytical and detail-oriented approach
• • Experience working with external agency partners (i.e., Strategy, Innovation, Insights, Design)
• • Strong communicator with exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner

BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:

• Ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
• 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

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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 amission to leadthe 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 Garden & Pet is based in Walnut Creek, California and has over 7,000 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.