The Vice President, Marketing Innovation will be a leading stakeholder of the strategy, development, and commercialization of breakthrough product innovations and renovations across the Dog & Cat portfolio. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on go-to-market execution, owning the innovation roadmap, partnering cross-functionally with R&D, Creative, Blue Sky, Insights, Sales and Supply Chain. This is a critical leadership role in the Marketing function to drive portfolio development and innovation executional excellence.
This role requires candidates to report on-site to our Neptune City, NJ facility 5x a week.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS:
Innovation Strategy & Road Mapping:
- Drive the 3–5 year innovation and renovation agenda aligned to consumer trends, category dynamics, and business objectives.
- Identify whitespace opportunities through insights, market analysis, competitive mapping, and trend forecasting.
- Partner with senior leadership to prioritize initiatives based on growth potential, feasibility, and strategic fit.
New Product Development (NPD) & Commercialization:
- Steward the end-to-end NPD process in cross functional partnership from idea generation and concept development through validation, formulation, packaging, and commercialization.
- Drive cross-functional alignment across R&D, Creative, Blue Sky, Insights, Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain to ensure successful launches.
- Establish and oversee stage-gate processes, governance routines, and documentation for innovation projects.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Management:
- Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing innovation marketing team of approximately 6 direct reports across marketing and project management.
- Foster organizational alignment, clarity, and accountability across departments to ensure timely, on-budget project delivery.
Business Ownership & Performance Management:
- Own financial impact for innovation initiatives including revenue, margin, trial, repeat, and velocity targets.
- Set and manage KPIs for launch performance and ongoing post-launch evaluation.
- Provide leadership with clear reporting, insights, and strategic recommendations to adjust plans as needed.
IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES:
Required Skills & Experience:
- 10+ years marketing experience in CPG, with significant ownership of strategic innovation planning and the new product development process.
- Developed long-term innovation strategies, which have driven incremental revenue.
- Proven track record launching successful consumer-packaged goods (national or multi-channel) with measurable business impact.
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams (R&D, Insights, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance) and managing complex stakeholder matrices.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience owning P&L or major revenue-driving initiatives; comfortable setting targets and reporting against KPIs.
- Deep expertise in consumer & shopper insights, concepting, packaging, and go-to-market execution.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills — experience presenting to senior leadership and retail partners.
- Comfortable with ambiguity, rapid prioritization, and driving change across the organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field; advanced degree (MBA) preferred.
Preferred Skills & Experience:
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree.
- Experience working with e‑commerce channels and digital marketing innovation.
- Background building innovation processes (stage-gate, rapid prototyping, commercialization).
- Experience in sustainable packaging, cost-to-serve optimization, or value-added premiumization strategies.
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
- Free Life and Disability Insurance.
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
- 401 (k) with a 3% company match and annual employer discretionary contribution.
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Access to thousands of free online courses.
- Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
- Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications).
- Referral Program with a cash bonus.
- Access to on-demand pay.
- Paid parental leave.
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) is a leading consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries. Guided by the belief that home is central to life, the Company's purpose is to proudly nurture happy and healthy homes. For over 45 years, its innovative and trusted solutions have helped lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a diversified portfolio of market-leading brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Best Bully Sticks®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, Pennington®, Sevin® and Zoёcon®. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central has strong manufacturing and logistics capabilities supported by a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. The Company is headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, and employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America. Visit
www.central.com to learn more.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.