- Lead the team of Product Category Managers and advance the product portfolio
- Ensure Saje products reach market with clear, compelling, and defensible claims and storytelling
- Provide strategic direction, coaching, prioritization, and decision‑making across category roadmaps, innovation programs, and product launches
- Own the innovation pipeline from white‑space exploration and concept creation through product marketing and creative execution
- Ensure cross‑functional alignment across Marketing, Creative, R&D;, Regulatory, Operations, and Finance
- Lead Product Category Managers in maintaining and executing 3-year Product Category Roadmaps
- Oversee creation, presentation, and approval of Product Concept Briefs
- Oversee accurate SOP$ forecasts for innovation initiatives
- Execute claims, product substantiation, and storytelling roadmaps across innovation and core portfolio initiatives
- Coordinate claims and storytelling deliverables through development, approval, and implementationMaintain claims and storytelling tools, documentation, approval pathways, and decision records
- Monitor roadmap progress, surface risks and required decisions, and provide updates and recommendations to the VP, Product
- Ensure approved claims and product stories are implemented consistently across consumer touchpoints
- Own and evolve a 2–3 year innovation pipeline supporting product strategy, financial objectives, and brand differentiation
- Partner with R&D; and Regulatory to co‑innovate, refine, and pivot concepts
- Ensure innovation options are quantified and qualified through business cases and Product Concept Briefs
- Refine and accelerate the pace and quality of innovation
- Partner with the VP, Product and Project Management team on new product launch execution
- Share accountability for product launch timelines and develop risk mitigation options for delays
- Maintain accountability for pricing strategy and post‑launch performance




- Lead and develop Product Category Managers and strengthen the internal talent pipeline
- Build a culture balancing creativity, accountability, rigor, and fun
- Coach team members and strengthen innovation capabilities

Requirements

- 8+ years of progressive experience across product innovation, product strategy, category management, or product development, ideally within a consumer-focused environment
- 5+ years of people leadership experience, with a demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and build high‑performing teams
- Exceptional cross‑functional leadership skills, with the ability to build strong partnerships, influence stakeholders, and drive alignment across diverse functions and levels
- Solid strategic thinking, with experience translating business priorities, consumer needs, and market opportunities into clear product and innovation strategies
- Proven ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity, balancing long‑term vision with strong prioritization, decision‑making, and execution
- Entrepreneurial, collaborative, and growth‑oriented mindset, with the ability to challenge thinking, move ideas forward, and create momentum in a fast‑paced environment
- Are you legally eligible to work in Canada?

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in product innovation, strategy, and category management, with a strong focus on cross‑functional leadership and team development. Proven ability to drive product launches and maintain alignment across diverse functions while ensuring compelling storytelling and claims.

Highest-signal resume keywords

- Product Innovation
- Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- People Leadership
- Category Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

- Product Strategy
- Product Development
- Innovation Pipeline Management
- SOP Forecasting
- Product Concept Briefs

Soft Skills

- Coaching
- Collaboration
- Decision‑Making
- Influencing Stakeholders
- Creativity

Industry Keywords

- Consumer‑Focused Environment
- Market Opportunities
- Risk Mitigation
- Consumer Touchpoints
- High‑Performing Teams

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Director, Product Innovation – Contract (Toronto)
🏢 Jobtailor
📍 Toronto