Innovation Sourcing Manager

The Innovation Sourcing Manager will play an important role in supporting Spindrift’s innovation initiatives - primarily focused on identifying and on-boarding new, high-quality ingredients and suppliers to support new product development and business growth. The Innovation Sourcing Manager will report to the Associate Director of Sourcing. Our team is fast-paced, fun-loving, and fanatical about our delicious product; you’ll work with us to help grow our product offerings that highlight our key points of difference and premium approach to sparkling water.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own and continuously optimize the new supplier and ingredients qualification process
• Find new, exciting ingredients and suppliers that meet or exceed Spindrift’s high standards for taste and quality
• Collaborate with our in-house sensory team on ingredient tastings, comparisons, and studies
• Work closely with quality, manufacturing, and supply chain to onboard new suppliers and reach critical milestones / deadlines within the commercialization process
• Support the Innovation Lab Manager / R&D lab by maintaining an inventory of high-quality, representative ingredients to support new product development work
• Contribute as an active member of taste panel and new product development work
• Support cost-optimization initiatives, including managing trials, organizing information, communicating timelines, etc.
• Conduct supplier and farm visits
• Assist with sustainability-related workstreams
• Support ingredient traceability workstreams  

Requirements

WHO YOU ARE:

• Knowledgeable and passionate about real ingredients, agriculture, and sustainability
• Experienced in sourcing, product development, and/or manufacturing in food & beverage
• A self-starter, comfortable taking initiative and working independently
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Friendly, personable, and comfortable being the face of the brand to suppliers and industry members alike

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant experience in sourcing, quality, manufacturing, or R&D
• 3+ years of experience working with real fruit ingredients in CPG / Food & Beverage
• Experience negotiating contract terms and pricing
• Excellent verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
• Outstanding organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment

• Ability to travel as needed, up to~25% of the time
• Ability to work 4 days a week at Spindrift’s HQ in Newton, MA   

Benefits

The salary range for this position is $80,000 to $100,000 and is dependent upon the candidate’s experience prior to joining Spindrift. In addition, we offer the following compensation and benefits:

• short-term and long-term incentive programs specific to level and department
• medical, dental, and vision insurance, with a current employer contribution rate of 80% towards monthly premiums, regardless of plan type selected
• Company-paid life insurance, and a 401k retirement savings plan
• Monthly cell phone allowance
• Annual allowances for personal use of Spindrift product, health and wellness, professional development, and social justice education
• A host of voluntary benefits including but not limited to additional life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance, pet insurance, commuter benefits, etc.
• In addition to any paid leave benefits required by regulation, the company provides paid parental leave, vacation, sick, personal, bereavement, community service, and holiday time