Agile Innovation Manager

Job Title: Agile Innovation Manager

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Duration: 12+ Months

Must Haves:

• Food industry experience (non-negotiable) - NOT DIGITAL, physical product commercialization.
• Physical Product Development focused innovation project management background.
• Experience in supply chain development, factory engineering, or packaging related innovation delivery.
• Physical Product Commercialization process knowledge
• Understand packaging changes, formula changes, feasibility constraints, machinery timelines.
• Agile project management experience (emphasis)
• 2-3+ years of experience leading agile ceremonies and managing projects through sprint-based delivery models.
• Comfortable facilitating sprint events and creating review materials.
• Self-driven, proactive working style
• Able to identify stakeholders, processes, and solutions independently.
• Strong communication & relationship building skills
• Must navigate between technical and non-technical teams, translating needs in both directions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related.
• MUST HAVE: 5+ years of project management, agile leadership, or scrum master experience within the Food & Beverage industry.
• MUST HAVE: experience with physical product innovation in Food & Beverage with packaging projects, aligned with operations & manufacturing side: engineering, changing of machines, alignment with supply chain, etc.
• Strong knowledge of Agile/Scrum methodologies or proven experience in product development and commercialization
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
• Strong experience in building timelines for projects with uncertainty, that demands a lot of changes multiple times throughout the project.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience supporting test-and-learn innovation cycles or commercialization processes.
• Passion for team empowerment, iterative learning, and removing barriers to execution.
• Open to work flexible hours since part of the team is located in AMS – start 7am Chicago time when needed.