Vice President, Innovation

About Kinder’s

Kinder’s is a flavor-focused, founder-led consumer packaged goods company known for a fast-moving, entrepreneurial culture. The business has more than 100 products sold across the country and ranks among the top five brands in several flavor categories at Costco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and other major retailers. As the company grows internationally and moves toward $1 billion in revenue, it is looking for people who are inventive, practical, and excited to make a visible impact on everyday meals.

Role Overview

The Vice President of Innovation will lead Kinder’s innovation function and shape the company’s future growth by building and advancing the pipeline across new products, categories, and packaging approaches. This leader will own the innovation portfolio strategy, from spotting long-term opportunities to prioritizing near- and mid-term initiatives, while ensuring concepts can be differentiated, technically feasible, and commercially scalable.

This position works closely with teams across Strategy, Consumer Insights, Culinary, Research and Development, Commercialization, Operations, Creative, Sales, Portfolio Management, and Brand to move ideas from early concept through launch. The role also maintains a high standard for quality and consumer experience, and once a platform is stable and validated, it transfers ownership to the Brand team for ongoing management and growth.

Innovation Strategy and Pipeline Ownership

• Own the innovation pipeline by identifying long-range opportunities and setting portfolio strategy and priorities for the near and medium term.
• Lead the team in tracking consumer, culinary, and market trends to uncover whitespace, new flavor formats, product platforms, and adjacent categories that can support future growth.
• Turn consumer learning and market input into clear innovation direction backed by differentiation and strong flavor experiences.
• Create roadmaps that sequence development based on strategic relevance, technical readiness, category potential, consumer expectations, and retailer requirements.
• Establish practical Kinder’s-specific processes and playbooks that consistently help the organization create, assess, prioritize, and scale new ideas.

Platform and Category Expansion

• Partner across functions to determine the technical, operational, and organizational capabilities needed to enter and scale new platforms.
• Ensure the right internal stakeholders are engaged early, with clear workstreams, success measures, and ownership.
• Spot and escalate risks or blockers quickly so quality and speed remain aligned during commercialization.
• Guide the innovation team as interim brand stewards for new platforms and categories, from early development through launch and stabilization before transition to Brand.
• Support a smooth handoff from Innovation to Brand when a platform is ready for long-term ownership.
• Work with technical partners to define flavor targets, product claims, and refinements using consumer insight as the guide.

Product Experience Innovation

• Encourage the team to identify ways packaging, format, or product configuration can create new usage occasions or improve the consumer experience.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Culture

• Align innovation priorities with brand permission, operational realities, and business goals in partnership with Strategy, Sales, and R&D.
• Work with Portfolio Management to confirm pre-commercial viability, support launch readiness, and keep work on schedule.
• Communicate strategy, priorities, progress, and risks clearly to senior leaders and internal partners.
• Build a team culture centered on curiosity, experimentation, and thoughtful risk-taking.
• Coach and develop team members while encouraging cross-functional learning and collaboration.
• Support Kinder’s mission of delivering standout flavor innovation to consumers.

Experience and Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in innovation, product development, or category strategy within food and beverage or a related consumer industry. They should have a track record of building innovation portfolios and platform roadmaps, launching new concepts from early stages to commercialization, and defining the capabilities needed to enter new product spaces. Strong organizational leadership, communication, and the ability to bring cross-functional teams together around complex initiatives are essential.

This role suits someone who is comfortable operating in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments and making decisions when information is incomplete. A strategic mindset, collaborative leadership style, humility, curiosity, and a genuine interest in mentoring people are important characteristics for success.

Location and Work Style

The role is based onsite in Walnut Creek, California. Kinder’s emphasizes culture and community and operates with a hybrid structure that includes four days per week in the office.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected starting salary range for this position is $275,000 to $300,000 per year. Actual pay may vary based on location, education, qualifications, performance, and business needs.

Benefits may include paid time off, a 401(k), bonus or incentive eligibility, equity grants, competitive health coverage, and family-friendly benefits such as parental leave. Benefit eligibility can vary and is discussed during the interview process.

Work Environment

Kinder’s describes its culture as hands-on, collaborative, and low on hierarchy. Team members are expected to move quickly, work through ambiguity, take smart risks, and contribute as difference makers rather than relying on formal structure. The company values continuous learning, managerial growth, and high standards for bold, exceptional outcomes.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

Kinder’s is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates are considered without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, citizenship, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, genetic test results, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Applicants who need an accommodation during the application process or to perform job duties may request support from the company.