Director of Innovation at Mezzetta

Since 1935, we have dedicated ourselves to bringing a little extra happiness to the table and inspiring connections through food. As a family-owned company that has grown into a national leader in specialty olives, peppers, and sauces, we take pride in selecting the finest ingredients and crafting premium products with care. We are looking for passionate, driven individuals to help us carry our long-standing traditions into a bright future. If you value excellence, take ownership of your work, and thrive in a vibrant, collaborative environment, we would love to have you join our team.

About the Role

We are seeking a Director of Innovation to join our Marketing team on a full-time basis. In this role, you will report directly to our CEO and work closely with leadership to develop our product pipeline and drive growth. We need someone who is comfortable navigating a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly. You will be responsible for launching aggressive innovation plans across our current and new product categories while ensuring our strategies remain aligned with our brand vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement comprehensive 3-5 year innovation pipeline plans by collaborating with our R&D, Finance, Operations, and Sales departments.
• Lead the Innovation Steering Committee and manage cross-functional teams to take product concepts from initial development through to commercialization.
• Define our research agenda by integrating consumer, technical, and marketplace insights to filter opportunities based on strategic fit and financial return.

Requirements

To be successful in this position, you should bring the following qualifications and skills:

• At least 10 years of relevant marketing experience, with a minimum of 5 years specifically focused on innovation within the food or packaged goods industry.
• A proven track record of professional advancement and a strong GM mindset.
• Demonstrated experience with P&L ownership, volume forecasting, pricing analysis, and share analysis.
• Proficiency in using marketing databases and tools such as Nielsen and Spins.
• Strong leadership abilities, including the capacity to delegate effectively while remaining willing to roll up your sleeves to get the job done.
• The ability to synthesize complex data into commercially viable actions and a willingness to explore new, disruptive ideas.

Location

This position is an on-site role based in our Larkspur Landing office.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $200,000 to $220,000 USD. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and are an Equal Opportunity Employer that makes all hiring decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs.