Sr Manager - R&D, Long Term Innovation

Tropicana Brands Group is seeking a Senior Manager, Long-Term Innovation, to lead consumer-driven, long-term innovation initiatives and drive incremental growth to the Global Tropicana portfolio. This role will lead cross-functional technical and business partners, driving alignment on future category trends and technologies, influencing the innovation agenda, and ensuring research strategies and objectives are aligned across regions and with key business partners.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience in research and product development within the food and beverage industry
• Strong background in consumer-centric product design
• Experience building, leading, and retaining high-performing technical teams
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment
• Familiarity with global regulatory and quality standards, with a strong emphasis on North America and understanding of EU
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• Based in the Chicago, IL area or willing to relocate
• Comfortable working in a hybrid model (3 days in office)
• Proven experience in product design, development, and commercialization within a consumer products company
• Ability to provide both strategic and tactical leadership across innovation initiative
• Strong understanding of emerging consumer trends and ability to translate insights into actionable innovation
• Good knowledge or understanding of emerging R&D AI tools and technologies that can support the future innovation pipeline
• Strong track record of collaboration with cross-functional partners (Marketing, Supply Chain, Sales, etc.)
• Excellent project management skills, including timeline development, budget management, and cross-functional coordination
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and risk in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting capabilities
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Strong project reporting capabilities with a focus on clear, cross-functional communication
• Nimble, business-minded thinker with a focus on creative, practical solutions
• Experience transferring technologies into manufacturing environments (internal plants and co-packers) to optimize cost and efficiency

Benefits

• 401(k) plan
• Medical, dental, vision
• Company provided life, STD and LTD insurance
• Voluntary life, accident, hospital, and critical illness coverages