The Senior Director of Global Innovation leads McCain's innovation strategy, focusing on product development, insights-driven growth, and strategic partnerships to enhance the innovation pipeline.
Position Title: Sr Director, Global Innovation
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 39448
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role .
The Senior Director, Global Innovation will lead McCain Foods' global innovation strategic agenda, driving transformative growth through consumer-centric product development of breakthrough global innovation platforms and identifying strategic partnerships to accelerate our innovation pipeline. This role is pivotal in shaping McCain's long-term innovation strategy, ensuring pipeline sufficiency, and embedding a culture of insight-led, demand-driven growth across all regions and categories. Reporting to the VP, Global Marketing, the Sr. Director, Global Innovation will lead a small, diverse team of direct reports and will partner closely with regional marketing and innovation counterparts in different countries to deliver the global innovation agenda.
What you'll be doing.
What you'll need to be successful.
Strategic change skills. The successful candidate will be a leader in bringing fresh ideas to drive the business; embracing change and innovation, helping us become more future ready. They will be a strategy-driven individual who has both the ability and the inclination to address the biggest issues first and to sacrifice secondary issues when necessary. They will have the courage to challenge the status quo in pursuit of greater excellence and breakthroughs.
Insights led this individual will help champion a consumer first mentality and culture change within the business, ensuring that innovation strategy and decision making is grounded in compelling insights. They will be data-driven, solutions-oriented with a proven ability to synthesize data from multiple sources and to tolerate ambiguity when systems and information are limited.
Strong people development and relationship-building skills in a matrixed environment. A natural coach, this individual will have the ability to get work done through their team of direct reports as well as across a team of indirect reports and partners in other regions; inspiring them to stretch and learn. They will have a strong track record of developing talent by setting objectives, providing feedback, addressing gaps and holding people accountable and leading across the matrix to influence without authority.
Ability to drive results. Works to achieve goals while overcoming obstacles and/or planning for contingencies. The successful candidate will show a strong passion for reaching targets and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Success Metrics
About McCain .
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles .
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience .
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
Compensation Package : $146,200.00 - $195,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility + Long-term incentive eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs.
Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree that this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy , as applicable. You can understand how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Marketing
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Requisition ID: 39448
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role .
The Senior Director, Global Innovation will lead McCain Foods' global innovation strategic agenda, driving transformative growth through consumer-centric product development of breakthrough global innovation platforms and identifying strategic partnerships to accelerate our innovation pipeline. This role is pivotal in shaping McCain's long-term innovation strategy, ensuring pipeline sufficiency, and embedding a culture of insight-led, demand-driven growth across all regions and categories. Reporting to the VP, Global Marketing, the Sr. Director, Global Innovation will lead a small, diverse team of direct reports and will partner closely with regional marketing and innovation counterparts in different countries to deliver the global innovation agenda.
What you'll be doing.
- Global Innovation Strategy
- Define and execute McCain's global innovation roadmap aligned with corporate growth objectives, category strategies, and sustainability commitments.
- Champion global innovation platforms that deliver incremental growth and strengthen McCain's leadership in frozen and prepared foods.
- Pipeline Development & Governance
- Prime the development and successful build out of global innovation platforms that span multiple markets in tight partnership with regional innovation team members and global R&D innovation leaders
- Partner with regions to ensure a robust innovation pipeline that meets long-term growth targets across retail, foodservice, and emerging channels.
- Oversee governance of the global innovation process, from ideation to commercialization, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and KPIs.
- Consumer & Market Insights
- Embed consumer, customer, and category insights into all innovation initiatives leveraging design thinking to build compelling offerings that meet desirability, feasibility and viability hurdles.
- Monitor global food trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to identify disruptive opportunities.
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with R&D, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, and Sustainability teams to deliver innovation that meets operational and environmental standards.
- Act as a global connector, sharing best practices and fostering collaboration across regions.
- External Partnerships & Open Innovation
- Drive strategic partnerships with startups, technology providers, and research institutions to accelerate innovation.
- Partner with the long-term technology team to leverage proprietary IP and drive competitive advantage
- Thought Leadership & Culture Building
- Champion an innovation mindset across the organization, inspiring teams to embrace creativity and agility.
- Represent McCain at industry forums and innovation events to position the company as a global leader in food innovation.
What you'll need to be successful.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, or related field.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in innovation, marketing, or product development within CPG or food industry.
- Proven track record of delivering breakthrough innovations and managing global portfolios.
- Strong strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and ability to influence at senior levels.
- Experience leading cross-functional and multicultural teams in a matrix environment.
Strategic change skills. The successful candidate will be a leader in bringing fresh ideas to drive the business; embracing change and innovation, helping us become more future ready. They will be a strategy-driven individual who has both the ability and the inclination to address the biggest issues first and to sacrifice secondary issues when necessary. They will have the courage to challenge the status quo in pursuit of greater excellence and breakthroughs.
Insights led this individual will help champion a consumer first mentality and culture change within the business, ensuring that innovation strategy and decision making is grounded in compelling insights. They will be data-driven, solutions-oriented with a proven ability to synthesize data from multiple sources and to tolerate ambiguity when systems and information are limited.
Strong people development and relationship-building skills in a matrixed environment. A natural coach, this individual will have the ability to get work done through their team of direct reports as well as across a team of indirect reports and partners in other regions; inspiring them to stretch and learn. They will have a strong track record of developing talent by setting objectives, providing feedback, addressing gaps and holding people accountable and leading across the matrix to influence without authority.
Ability to drive results. Works to achieve goals while overcoming obstacles and/or planning for contingencies. The successful candidate will show a strong passion for reaching targets and thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Success Metrics
- Innovation pipeline sufficiency and incremental revenue contribution.
- Speed-to-market and successful commercialization of new products.
- Engagement and capability development within global innovation teams.
- Advancement of McCain's sustainability and health-forward product agenda.
About McCain .
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles .
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience .
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
Compensation Package : $146,200.00 - $195,000.00 . USD annually + Bonus eligibility + Long-term incentive eligibility
The above reflects the target compensation range for the position at the time of posting. Hiring compensation will be determined based on experience, skill set, education and training, and other organizational needs.
Benefits: At McCain, we're on a mission to create a winning culture that puts employee safety and well-being at the heart of what we do, every day. We understand and appreciate that each person's needs are unique and ensure our benefits & well-being programs reflect that. Employees are eligible for the following benefits: health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription drug), retirement savings benefits, and leave support including medical, family and bereavement. Well-being programs include vacation and holidays, company-supported volunteering time, and mental health resources. Coverages are aligned with country, provincial and state governing plans and can vary by work level, location and nature of the role. Additional benefit detail available during the application process.
Your well-being matters to us, and we're here to provide you with the necessary resources to support you in being your best self at work - and at home.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree that this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy , as applicable. You can understand how your personal information is being handled here.
Job Family: Marketing
Location(s): US - United States of America : Illinois : Oakbrook Terrace
Company: McCain Foods USA, Inc.
Top Skills
Business
Food Science
Marketing
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