Product Innovation Associate

Secaucus, NJ, United States

Who We Are

At Freshpet, our goal is to change the way people nourish their pets forever. We strive to strengthen the bond between people and our pets so that we both live longer, healthier, and happier lives while being kind to the planet. We believe that if we can create fresh, real foods that pets love and help them live healthier lives that their pet parents will also enjoy the many benefits of a rich life shared with a pet.

We started off with a mission to change the way pet parents feed dogs and cats, but we also wanted to be a company that had a thoughtful approach to how we operate. We wanted to do things differently, make great products but be gentle to the planet, good to the people who touch our business, and leave a positive impact with everything we do. We work hard every day to ensure that the original vision is met, starting with making the highest quality foods in our kitchens to running our business with integrity, transparency, and social and environmental responsibility. IT’S AMAZING WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU START COMPLETELY FRESH!

What You Will Do

As the Product Innovation Associate, you will play a crucial role in driving innovation through collaboration with cross-functional teams in R&D and Marketing. This position requires a dynamic individual with a deep understanding of consumer products, a strategic mindset and excellent project management skills. In this role, you will support Freshpet in commercializing new product innovation, as well as cost reduction and efficiency initiatives.

How You Will Make An Impact

Lead all project phases, including initiation, planning, execution, and launch across Stage Gate process

Lead communication with cross-functional team members through completion of the project

Make decisions based on information and input in a timely manner

Ensure milestones are successfully met by leading day-to-day activities and providing project oversight

Work collaboratively with departments that impact projects

Tailor processes to meet the needs of individual projects and drive innovation best practices

Assess, manage, resolve and escalate (if necessary) risks and issues

Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and innovation opportunities within the CPG/Food/Pet Food industries

What You Will Bring Bachelor's degree in relevant field, or equivalent demonstrated work experience

3 plus years professional experience in related area

CPG, Food and/or Pet experience preferred

Experience with successful management and ownership of cross-functional projects

Demonstrated success in bringing innovation projects to market

Strong team leadership skills with ability to delegate responsibility to all levels of the project team and hold team accountable for deliverables

Ability to effectively communicate with multiple functions and interface with all levels of the organization

Commitment to being accountable for results

Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and facilitation skills

Ability to think independently and make decisions

Strong interpersonal skills and team-player mentality, with a collaborative work approach

Proven track record of building relationships both internally and externally

Strong focus on customer service and end consumer experience

Passion and pride in work, with drive to help organization achieve its mission and goals

Travel up to 40% to Freshpet locations in NJ, PA, TX, partners and/or suppliers

What We Offer

At Freshpet, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, basic and optional life insurance, short- and long-term disability protection, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) plan with company match, paid parental leave, pet insurance, tuition assistance, a generous PTO plan and so much more!

Our Commitment to a Diverse Workforce:

At Freshpet, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, sex, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Freshpet aims to foster, cultivate and preserve a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our employees are our most valuable assets. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well. Freshpet is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Disclaimers

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.

Freshpet is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Freshpet via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Freshpet. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Freshpet as a result of the referral or through other means.