Director of Innovation at Mezzetta

Since 1935, we have dedicated ourselves to bringing joy to the table and inspiring meaningful connections through food. We believe in sourcing the finest ingredients and crafting premium products with genuine care, never taking shortcuts in our process. What began as a small family venture has blossomed into a national leader in specialty olives, peppers, and sauces. Under the leadership of our CEO, Jeff Mezzetta, we continue to honor our 80-year legacy while looking toward a vibrant future. We are currently looking for a passionate, driven leader to help us carry our cherished traditions forward to a new generation.

The opportunity

We are seeking a Director of Innovation to join our Marketing team at our office in Larkspur Landing. This is a vital role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment where priorities shift quickly. You will report directly to our Owner and CEO, serving as a key partner in developing our product pipeline and driving our innovation strategy. Your primary mission is to foster profitable growth by launching bold, strategic initiatives across both our existing and new product categories. We need a leader who brings a bias for action and a talent for creating extraordinary solutions.

A day in the life

• You will design and implement comprehensive three to five-year innovation plans, working in close collaboration with our R&D, Finance, Operations, and Sales teams to ensure our vision for growth remains on track.
• You will lead our monthly Innovation Steering Committee meetings, facilitating high-level organizational alignment and ensuring transparency across all departments as you shepherd new concepts through our stage-gate process.
• You will translate complex market data, consumer insights, and technical trends into commercially viable actions, taking products from the initial concept phase all the way through to successful commercialization.

Who you are

You are a strategic thinker with at least 10 years of marketing experience, including a minimum of 5 years specifically focused on innovation within the food or packaged goods industry. You possess a strong General Manager mindset and a proven track record of professional advancement. Your toolkit includes:

• Expertise in financial management, including P&L ownership, pricing analysis, and volume forecasting.
• Proficiency with industry-standard marketing tools such as Nielsen and Spins.
• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to hold teams accountable while remaining willing to roll up your sleeves to get the job done.
• A curious, autonomous approach to problem-solving and a willingness to take calculated risks to explore new methods and tools.
• Fluency in English and the ability to build strong, collaborative partnerships across diverse internal teams.

Why you'll love it here

We are proud to offer a competitive salary range of $200,000 to $220,000 USD for this position. Beyond the compensation, you will be joining a team that values authenticity, excellence, and a shared sense of ownership. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every team member feels they belong and can thrive. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we base all our decisions on merit and business needs, ensuring a supportive environment where your contributions are truly valued.