Senior Director Product Innovation

Job Description

Job Description

Meet Us : King Arthur Baking Company is an award-winning, audience-leading baking company with a strategic vision to be the resource for baking education and inspiration. Through traditional and new media, in-person and virtual education, we strive to be a leader in helping novice and expert bakers alike. We're not going anywhere - we've been part of the family since 1790. We work to build stronger communities and increase access and the connection to real foods. We take pride in our responsible sourcing and our "never bleached" guarantee. And we work closely with farmers, millers, and suppliers in a continued commitment toward sustainability. Our wheat flour is grown and milled right here in the United States. Flour this good uses only the purest ingredients, free from GMOs. As a founding B Corporation, we are committed to using the power of business as a force for social and environmental good. We believe every employee's contributions make our company what it is : vibrant, successful, and committed to spreading the joy of baking. We are a welcoming and inclusive 100% employee-owned company.

The Position : The Senior Director of Product Innovation will lead the strategic development and execution of breakthrough baking products and experiences across omnichannel platforms including direct-to-consumer, grocery and wholesale, and food service. They oversee consumer insights, research and development, and innovation brand managers to deliver products that elevate the baking category and deepen our connection with bakers everywhere.

The Benefits : Yes, we have the regular "stuff" - medical, dental, vision, company paid short- and long-term disability, life insurance, paid parental leave, paid time off to rest, paid holidays to have fun, a 401(K) with a company match. But here's what makes us different : 40 paid volunteer hours a year, profit sharing

• , participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• and knowing that those working with you are dedicated and engaged co-employee owners that believe in you and your extraordinary abilities to move us all forward.

The Location : Hybrid combining working from home, and onsite in White River Junction VT based on business need. Ideal candidates will be located in VT, NH, or MA.

The Pay : $160,000 to $206,000 annual salary; commensurate with experience

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Develop and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with King Arthur’s mission and business goals and supporting the Long Range Strategic Plan.

Define and manage the innovation framework, including stage-gate processes, our strategic product plan (our pipeline), and performance KPIs.

Lead cross-functional collaboration across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, and R&D.

Foster a culture of creativity, agility, risk taking, and continuous improvement.

Consumer Insights & Research

Oversee consumer insights to ensure deep understanding of baker needs and market trends.

Guide qualitative and quantitative research initiatives to inform product development.

Champion a test-and-learn culture with integrated feedback loops.

Product Development & R&D

Oversee the R&D team in developing new products and reformulating existing ones.

Engage and oversee external development partners, as needed

Ensure rigorous testing, validation, and alignment with brand standards.

Partner with supply chain and operations to ensure feasibility and efficiency.

Innovation Brand Management

Manage innovation brand managers responsible for concept development and go-to-market strategy.

Ensure consistent brand storytelling across channels.

Collaborate with creative and digital teams to bring product stories to life.

Omnichannel Execution

Drive innovation across direct-to-consumer, grocery, wholesale, and food service channels.

Tailor product formats and messaging to channel-specific needs.

Support successful launches and in-market performance.

Experience and Education

12+ years in food industry innovation, product development, or strategy

Proven track record of launching successful products and managing cross-functional teams

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Food Science, Business, or related field; MBA preferred

We value those who can demonstrate capability and articulate how prior experiences will help them transition into this role

Competencies

Visionary Leadership and Strategic Thinking. The ability to set a clear and compelling direction for innovation that aligns with King Arthur’s mission, business goals, and Long Range Strategic Plan. Demonstrates foresight in identifying emerging opportunities, translating them into actionable strategies, and inspiring cross-functional teams to embrace creativity, agility, and calculated risk-taking.

Deep Consumer Empathy and Insight-Driven Decision-Making. A commitment to understanding the needs, behaviors, and aspirations of bakers and consumers. Uses qualitative and quantitative research, market trends, and test-and-learn approaches to ensure product development and brand storytelling are grounded in genuine consumer insight. Champions a feedback-driven culture where consumer voice informs decision-making at every stage.

Strong Project Management and Execution Skills. Proficiency in managing complex, multi-phase innovation projects from concept through launch. Applies structured frameworks such as stage-gate processes and performance KPIs to ensure timely, high-quality execution. Coordinates seamlessly across Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, R&D, and external partners to deliver results with operational feasibility and brand alignment.

Analytical Rigor and Business Acumen. The capacity to evaluate opportunities with objectivity and discipline, balancing creativity with commercial viability. Integrates data-driven insights with financial, operational, and market considerations to guide decisions. Monitors in-market performance, identifies opportunities to optimize, and ensures innovation efforts contribute meaningfully to growth and profitability.

Team Development and Mentoring. The ability to build, guide, and empower high-performing teams across innovation, R&D, and brand management. Provides coaching, constructive feedback, and professional development opportunities that strengthen individual capabilities and collective outcomes. Fosters collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability while modeling curiosity and continuous improvement.

Success Factors

Passion for and knowledge of baking and food culture

Openness to new technologies and methodologies

Genuine enthusiasm for the King Arthur’s mission and products and a commitment to living our values

Community-minded and sustainability-focused

Physical Requirements / Work Environment / Safety

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical requirements

Ability to work for prolonged periods at a desk, both in a home office and onsite, using a computer and other standard office equipment.

Regular use of computer keyboard, mouse, and video conferencing tools.

Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and through digital platforms.

Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching within the office environment.

May occasionally be required to lift or move items up to 15 pounds (e.g., office materials, documents).

Visual acuity needed for reviewing documents, spreadsheets, and data on screens.

Ability to commute to the office for in-person meetings, trainings, or other business needs as required.

Work environment

Indoors, a normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, or temperature changes.

This role operates in a professional office environment where most work is performed at a desk.

Remote work environment that meets KAB standards for work.

Safety

Understands that safety is the responsibility of everyone at the organization and is responsible for adhering to / providing work in a safe and ergonomic manner, identifying unsafe conditions and correcting conditions immediately or reporting them promptly.

Participates in safety and compliance training and safety and health programs.

Supervision

Manages Consumer Insights, R&D, and Innovation Brand Management teams.

Travel

Occasional travel required for team collaboration, product testing, and market visits.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive and safe work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers, and vendors. As a proud Benefit Corporation, King Arthur Baking expects our employees to adhere to company-wide green norms and remain educated on company impact campaigns.

There's room at our table for you! Apply today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors protected by law. King Arthur Baking provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to participate in both the application process and during employment. Such individuals are encouraged to seek accommodations to allow them to apply for a position, participate in the application process, and meet the essential functions and requirements of the position.