Innovation Project Manager

There’s Always a Seat at Our Bar 

The Lagunitas Brewing Company began on a kitchen stove in Northern California in 1993 and has always looked to the future – whether supporting local communities by turning beer into money for the cause, or fueling stories, songs, and experiences with our IPA. Wherever you go: Beer Speaks, People Mumble. 

What You’ll Get

• Benefits – Awesome coverage for: Medical, Dental & Vision

• Time off - Approx 33 days off in your first year (combo of vacay, holidays and personal days)

• Retirement – up to 5% contribution on 401K plan

• BEER – and non-alcoholic Lagunitas beverages

• Schwag – 50% off food and merch

• Gym Membership – $50 monthly reimbursement for that beer belly (or at least to prevent it)

• Pet Insurance – keep your fur babies covered with pet insurance options

• Skills to Pay the Bills – professional development, 24/7 operation

• Opportunities – Expand your horizons in CA & world!

• It’s Friday, Ya’ll – Get Paid every other Friday, starting at: $98,771.06 - $111,117.45 

The Gist

The Innovation Project Manager is a business-critical role that’s responsible for the efficient and effective management of the innovation stage gate and commercialization process. The role is focused on driving alignment and owning the timeline, to deliver projects on schedule and on budget. Responsibilities include: leading cross-functional team meetings, gaining alignment on key action items and process flow, publishing notes, develop new product sampling program, follow-ups, next steps, and timelines.

What You’ll Do

Stage Gate Process

• Lead and manage stage gate process to ensure on-time delivery of innovation pipeline

• Develop and proactively own innovation project timelines across total gate process, offering on-going recommendations for optimizations as projects commercialize to key stakeholders

• Lead cross-functional monthly stage gate and weekly project meetings to ensure alignment and identify key updates, risks, and decisions

• Partner with Sr. Innovation Manager to develop innovation project business cases for monthly Leadership Team meetings

• Create innovation sampling program in partnership with Brewing and Sales teams

• Manage the online Innovation Team Hub to ensure the proper uploading and tracking of stage gate templates, project logs, and timelines  

Innovation Operations 

• Interface with agencies and designers to brief, review, and approve packaging artwork

• Collaborate with Innovation Brewing team to manage Inno Lab project calendar

• Own regulatory review and approval process for all innovations, ensuring feedback is incorporated inclusive of trademarks, TTB, COLA, state approvals

• Works with International and Operation teams to compile and verify packaging needs before delivering projects to creative team

• Maintain Innovation and Operations databases, color standards, packaging photo

• Coordinates attendance of packaging press checks

Business Management

• Work with Head of Innovation to strategize and define annual budget based on pipeline deliverables

• Own the Innovation budget working closely with Brand finance on monthly reporting

What We’re Lookin’ For

How You Work

• Thrives in ambiguity with a positive attitude

• Comfortable managing multiple, sometimes conflicting and changing priorities and deadlines, in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

• A curious and humble learner, who enjoys collaboration with key stakeholders

• Ability to rally a team behind initiatives and ensure that all details are diligently managed through to commercialization

• A relationship-builder – a great listener who can read between the lines, someone who

• is able to establish a strong rapport with key cross-functional partners

• Strong organization skills and highly detail-oriented able to create detailed timelines and

• specific action plans for projects

• Strong communication skills and presentation skills – high emotionally intelligent person

• who can discern and address the needs of specific audiences and the organization

Your Qualifications & Capabilities:

• Bachelor's degree in business or other relevant area.

• Three-five years of Project Management experience required; food or beverage industry experience strongly preferred

• Experience and understanding of the three-tier alcohol industry a plus

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite of Products – MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• Experience with project management software a plus; PMP certification a plus

• Role requires excellent project and time management skills, as well as strong written and verbal communication skills across multiple diverse audiences.

• Ability to synthesize project details into a concise, impactful summary adapted to the audience (working team, specific functions, or Leadership)

• Passion for Lagunitas and the beer business

Key Relationships

• Reports to the Head of Innovation

• Frequent interaction with cross-functional team including Brewing, Production Planning, Demand Planning, Sales, Creative Services, Procurement, and Purchasing

Physical Stuff

• Hybrid remote/in-office schedule. Required to be in Petaluma office Tuesday & Thursday with one flex day

• Ability to use a computer keyboard and calculator

Come as You Are 

At Lagunitas, we welcome people (and dogs) from all walks of life. Anyone, regardless of their race, creed, nation of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, veteran status, marital status, or age, has a home here. Love, progress, and acceptance will always have a seat at our bar.