Senior Director, Beer Innovation & Incubation

About the role

The Senior Director, Beer Innovation & Incubation will lead cbrands’ effort to discover and launch breakthrough beer products. Reporting to senior leadership, this role shapes the long‑term vision for the portfolio and drives cross‑functional teams toward market‑leading innovations.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with corporate growth targets.
• Identify whitespace opportunities using consumer insights, market research, and trend analysis.
• Lead the end‑to‑end product development process through the Stage Gate methodology, from concept generation to scale‑up.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, R&D, Brand, and Consumer Insights teams to translate market needs into viable product concepts.
• Manage external partnerships with agencies, suppliers, and industry experts to augment internal capabilities.
• Own the innovation budget, allocate resources effectively, and monitor project timelines, milestones, and financial performance.
• Represent the innovation function in strategic discussions and influence senior decision‑makers.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and forward‑looking thinking within the innovation team.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in product innovation, preferably within the beverage or consumer packaged goods sector.
• Strong strategic thinking with a track record of turning market insights into successful product launches.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills to align internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Ability to manage complex, multi‑disciplinary projects and drive them to completion.
• Deep understanding of consumer trends, regulatory environments, and emerging technologies affecting the beer industry.

Required skills