Innovation Manager

ABOUT OLIPOP

At OLIPOP, we’re on a mission to positively impact consumer health at scale. And we’re doing it through something simple: soda. But not just any soda, a new kind of soda: one that’s delicious, refreshing, and actually good for you.

This mission is deeply personal for our CEO, Co-Founder, and Formulator, Ben Goodwin. Like many of us, Ben grew up consuming the Standard American Diet: lots of soda and processed foods that prioritized convenience over nutrition. But at 14, he took his health into his own hands. After making significant changes to his nutrition and exercise, he lost 50 pounds and saw a transformation in his energy, mood, and emotional clarity.

Those changes sparked a deep curiosity about the connection between nutrition and health. Ben became a relentless student of the gut microbiome and the ways it supports overall wellness. The more he discovered, the more passionate he became about finding credible, science-backed ways to make consumer health accessible to everyone.

The mission was clear. The vehicle? Less so. After exploring the possibilities, Ben landed on an unexpected yet familiar choice: soda. It was something he loved as a kid, and he knew millions shared that same nostalgia. But this wouldn’t be just any soda. With most Americans falling short on daily fiber, Ben set out to create a version with more fiber and less sugar, one that was perfectly balanced. The result? A deliciously refreshing soda with 6 to 9 grams of fiber and 2 to 5 grams of sugar, delivering science-backed benefits without sacrificing the classic taste people crave.

In 2018, the first OLIPOP cans hit the shelves, bringing Ben’s vision to life with a functional soda that anyone could enjoy. And by reimagining soda, we’re also reshaping culture. That means creating products that support health for all and building a business grounded in humanistic values: empathy, integrity, and a belief in better for everyone. From the ingredients we source to the culture we foster, we’re committed to proving that business (and beverage!) can be a force for good, and that soda has the power to bring people together.

So join us, and let’s write a new American soda story together. One we can all feel good about. One OLIPOP at a time.

OLIPOP is looking for an Innovation Manager to join our Innovation team. This role leads the quantitative and strategic evaluation of our innovation pipeline, combining consumer insights, commercial performance, and financial analysis to shape how our portfolio grows.

You'll lead the evaluation of line extensions, limited-time offers (LTOs), price pack architecture, and assortment opportunities, bringing together data, consumer understanding, and business strategy to prioritize the pipeline. Working cross-functionally across the organization, you'll help translate opportunities into commercially successful innovation that drives long-term growth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Pipeline Strategy Prioritization — Lead the analytical evaluation of line extensions, LTOs, price pack architecture, and variety pack strategy to prioritize the innovation pipeline and recommend where OLIPOP should invest.

Portfolio Strategy Commercial Analytics — Analyze syndicated data, retailer performance, consumer trends, and internal sales data to evaluate portfolio health, identify whitespace opportunities, and optimize assortment and SKU productivity.

Business Case Development — Develop compelling, data-driven business cases that integrate consumer insights, commercial opportunity, financial return, operational complexity, and brand strategy to guide innovation investment decisions.

Cross-Functional Partnership — Partner closely with Insights, Brand, Sales, Finance, R D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Regulatory to evaluate opportunities, balance tradeoffs, and drive successful commercialization.

QUALIFICATIONS

3–5 years of experience in innovation, brand management, category management, portfolio strategy, or commercial strategy within a CPG company.

Demonstrated experience evaluating line extensions, price pack architecture, assortment strategy, SKU productivity, or portfolio optimization. Experience supporting seasonal or limited-time offers (LTOs) is a plus.

Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations—not simply report results.

Experience using syndicated data (Circana, NielsenIQ, SPINS, Numerator, or similar) and internal business performance data to identify opportunities and inform strategic decisions.

Strong financial acumen with experience developing business cases and evaluating commercial opportunities.

Effective cross-functional collaborator across Brand, Insights, Sales, Finance, R D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Regulatory.

Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Comfortable navigating ambiguity and making recommendations with imperfect in…