Head of Innovation

Job Title: Head of Innovation

Department: Ornua Foods North America, Marketing Team

Reports to: Vice President Marketing OFNA

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Ornua is a dairy co-operative which sells dairy products on behalf of its Members, Ireland’s dairy processors and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. It is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products, exporting to 110 countries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, it has annualized sales of over €3.5 billion and a global team of 2,850 employees. Ornua operates from 10 business units worldwide, including 16 production facilities, and has sales and marketing teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe.

The Group is structured across two divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.

Ornua Foods is responsible for the marketing and sales of Ornua consumer brands including our flagship brand Kerrygold, the natural dairy brand loved globally leveraging our Irish world class sustainable farming practices. The brand portfolio also includes Pilgrims Choice, the no.2 brand in the UK and our powder brands Kerrygold Avantage, Forto, and BEO. Markets are served by production facilities and in-market sales and marketing teams in Africa, Asia, Germany, Ireland, the UK, the rest of Europe, the Middle East, and the US.

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish and non-Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to food manufacturing and foodservice customers across the world. Ornua Ingredients is also responsible for managing volatility through de-risking and trading strategies. The business is supported by production facilities in Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK, the US and by in-market teams in Africa and the Middle East.

Ornua Values

At Ornua, our Values guide us as we work together and care for each other to achieve great things. Our five values, and their underlying behaviors, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together.

Dynamic Working

Ornua have a Dynamic Working policy in place which facilitates flexible hours and hybrid working, with 3 days pw in office, plus a 2 week per year ‘Work From Anywhere’ option.

Job Summary: 

Reporting to the Vice President Marketing OFNA with a dotted line to the Head of Global Innovation, this role will lead the U.S. business in building a robust pipeline of products via portfolio management, global platform development and key customer support. 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• You will be responsible for crafting a strategic, consumer-insight fueled approach to identifying and recommended annual product launches withing the local portfolio and successfully adapting global ideas to the U.S. market
• Lead all stage gate work to identify and evaluate what will be brought to market, including analysis of strategic fit, category size, competitive set, target market, commercial risks, sales, volume, and profitability as well as timeline and resources needed including budgets
• Lead all executive communication and management of key stakeholders across the business.
• Lead management of local portfolio, leading SKU rationalization and all renovation projects working with the Insights, Sales and Supply chain teams.

Key Requirements:

• MBA preferred and/or bachelor’s degree, preferably in a marketing or business-related discipline
• A minimum of 7-10 years relevant experience in the CPG area, demonstrating innovation and new product development success.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, decision-making and negotiation skills.
• Understand and have a fluency in a Design Thinking approach to innovation.
• Knowledge of the US retail and consumer market.
• Experience in consumer products sold through to retail outlets, preferably in food and beverage.
• Outstanding analytical, interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Team player, skilled at balancing the requirements of the Company and the Group.
• Willingness to travel, both domestically and internationally (up to 25%).
• Proven leadership ability within a CPG marketing environment.
• Self-motivated and positive attitude with great energy.  Passionate about good, high-quality food.

Ornua Values & Competencies:

• Curiosity: Creates an environment for innovative thinking; rewards and recognizes creative thinking and continuous improvement.
• Ownership: Empowers performance; ensures quality and delivery; rewards initiative, courage,

and success and/or makes decisions about sustainable growth.

• Communicative: Applies advanced communication skills, considering the impact on the audience and desired outcomes.
• Collaborative: Can work across multiple functions, cultures, personalities, and levels, effectively, driving both for great relationships and performance.

The salary range is $134,000 - $173,000 and the candidate will be offered a salary commensurate with their level of experience.

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods North America will include a competitive salary and annual bonus scheme. The following are a list of other benefits you can avail of: low employee contribution for Medical, Vision and Dental benefits cover; 401k; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave (20 weeks); Parental Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards.

Ornua Foods North America Inc is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 5/2/2025