Senior Director, Product Management And Innovation

Referred applicants should not apply directly to this role.

All referred applicants must first be submitted through Workday by a current Loblaw Colleague.

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.

At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.

As a Senior Director, Product Management & Innovation, you would manage a team responsible for developing and implementing innovative food & non-food products and concepts. This role involves running all aspects of research, market analysis, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive culinary creativity, address consumer trends, and enhance the company's product portfolio. This role will also be developing insights, setting strategic direction, and ensuring alignment with important team members. Strong leadership, creativity, and a deep understanding of food industry trends are critical for success in this role.

This role is a senior business lead with strong leadership, communication, influence and organizational skills. You will be accountable for driving strategic Transformational Innovation (TI) for the brands team, leading through insight and inspiration. You will be responsible for driving the TI agenda across the product team, collaborating with and implementing alongside the category specific Senior Directors.

What You'll Do:

• Key strategic partner in developing Senior Executive communications and influence plan.
• Lead and own projects, develop a point of view, and be accountable for analysis, insights, recommendations, and storytelling.
• Develop the Innovation Hub approach to Transformational Innovation, demonstrating industry best practices.
• Support the VP of Product Management & Innovation with developing cross category strategic direction for brand platforms and sub brands by demonstrating insight and analytics.
• Lead the Chef’s and kitchen team, using their insights and expertise for product conceptualization and development.
• Collaborate with all Senior Directors to structure and solve strategic problems and develop compelling cases.
• Lead analysis and insights activities that result in the determination of key strategies, support with customer, market, portfolio data and insights.
• Drive the Product Team’s Annual Portfolio Planning Cycle to establish collective enterprise objectives, goals, strategies and plans across the divisions in order to ultimately deliver Control Brand products that drive incremental sales.
• Be responsible for the nutritional POV for new and existing products.
• Lead the development of Corporate Brand plans establishing cross category brand goals, objectives and strategies to future proof our brand.
• Inspire the product and marketing teams by developing trend-based themes to develop both product and communications against.

What You'll Need:

• 10+ years business leadership in a consumer goods, services, or retail company with direct responsibility for Business/Brand Strategy
• 7-10+ years management experience (mentoring, leading performance, etc.)
• Proven abilities to partner with and exercise influence, persuade and/or negotiate with other Senior level colleagues across the organization
• Ability to plan and manage priorities, collaborate across the business, communicate persuasively, analyze and develop effective processes is critical
• University or college degree in Business or an equivalent degree in a related field of study
• Advanced MS Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); knowledge of Microstrategy, Top shelf and Nielsen is a plus
• Strong business sense and understanding of retail and private labels
• Strong written communication and presentation abilities at C-suite level
• Display tact, diplomacy and mature judgment in all interactions with internal and external customers
• Previous experience building compelling narrative and presentations appropriate for senior executive consumption
• 10+ years of applicable experience in Strategy and planning
• Proven track record to collaborate with individuals within the team and in other departments and build collaborative working relationships.

Loblaw is committed to sustainability by sourcing products with integrity and making a positive difference in the community. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.

If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.

We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.

Please Note:

Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.