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For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that enable moments of sweetness, celebration, and connection for candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of nearly 9,000 employees creating and delivering hundreds of products sold under 20 popular brands like Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually and popular Dori snacking products under brands such as Dori, Gomets, Pettiz, and Yogurte 100 in Brazil. Additionally, Jelly Belly, known world-wide for its confections, was acquired in November of 2023.

Sr. Manager, Innovation Portfolio Manager

Work Location: Chicago

Due to the highly interactive and team-based nature of this role, in-person attendance for most of the workweek (i.e., 3 days or more) is essential for: effective communication including during in-person meetings, strong supervision, real-time problem-solving, and participation in cross-functional initiatives.

Want to make an impact?

The Innovation Portfolio Sr. Manager will have the opportunity to substantially influence Ferrara’s innovation portfolio through active performance tracking and management. Ferrara is on a tremendous growth trajectory and this is a critical time of transformation. This role offers the opportunity to drive a high-growth portfolio by guiding the organization towards innovation pipeline sufficiency. This includes leading innovation portfolio management to drive strategic growth, driving a culture of collaboration in the cross-functional innovation team and creating visibility into innovation decisions including resource allocation and tradeoffs.

Ways you will make a difference

Manages innovation project pipeline, including innovation metrics, to ensure sufficiency – requiring the opportunity to define and implement the right measures to enable optimized resource allocation – people and dollars.
Leads the Functional Monthly reviews with direct exposure and influence to the CEO, CMO, and CIO as well as other senior leadership team on progress of Innovation and prioritization. Accountable to Agenda creation, collaboration across functions for material creation and presentation.
Leads the connection of Innovation and is the Key Point of Contact into key business processes such as 3Y Strategic Planning process, Integrated Business Processes, and Commercialization processes.
Supports the creation of Global Innovation Platforms with the Transformational Innovation Leads, and building the creation of metrics and integration of innovation metrics from Global Markets.
Identifies opportunities to strengthen Innovation delivery from Idea through Delivery – providing recommendations for improved ways of working or capabilities to support future growth.
Supports the CIO in managing the function through, managing staff meetings and agendas, optimized department routines and rituals, and integration and connection of the function into key organizational priorities (such as key Financial Review Routines, P&O routines, and special projects).
Drives the process of creating the strategic innovation pipeline - leading to both sufficiency and delivery – identifying action plans required across functions to de-risk the pipeline.
Drive culture of collaboration for innovation team with multiple stakeholders including brand marketing, operations, finance, and sales by organizing the team for innovation

Skills that will make you successful

Well versed in variety of innovation and development approaches, technically savvy with metrics and analytics
Demonstrated proactive and collaborative leadership
Effectively builds relationships and influences across the organization
Self-starter, and energized by creation of a path-forward and bringing definition to ambiguous challenges.

Experiences that will support your success

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing or related area; MBA preferred
Has experience in either R&D or innovation at a CPG company
Minimum of 8+ years of experience in food, confections or related sectors
Experience in innovation management

What We Offer

At Ferrara, we're proud to support our employees with comprehensive benefits that enhance health, financial wellness, and include paid time off (PTO). Eligible employees may also receive an annual bonus based on company performance. Learn more about our benefits at https://flimp.live/Ferrara-Candy-2025-OE-QR

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $112,500 - $157,000 annually.

Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 27 locations in North America, Brazil, and China that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. Ferrara is a privately held Ferrero related company. Learn more at www.ferrara.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, employment decisions and opportunities at Ferrara will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil union status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, military or veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic information, pregnancy (childbirth or related medical condition), or on any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.

Nearest Major Market: Chicago