- 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 - Strong 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, team-oriented, 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

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