Innovation Project Manager

About OLIPOP:

At OLIPOP, we’re on a mission to positively impact consumer health at scale through a new kind of soda: delicious, refreshing, and good for you. Founded by Ben Goodwin, who transformed his health at age 14 through nutrition and exercise, OLIPOP was born from a passion for science-backed wellness. The result? A soda with 6 to 9 grams of fiber and 2 to 5 grams of sugar, delivering health benefits without sacrificing taste.

Since 2018, OLIPOP has reimagined soda culture, blending health, community, and purpose-driven business values like empathy, integrity, and a commitment to better for everyone.

Join us in writing a new American soda story—one OLIPOP at a time.

Role Overview

The Innovation Project Manager is the operational backbone of the Innovation team, translating ideas and priorities into clear plans, coordinated workstreams, and successful execution. This role owns project timelines, team tools, cross-functional communication, and operational processes across the innovation pipeline, working independently to keep complex, fast-moving work on track. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, collaborative, and energized by bringing structure and momentum to complex, fast-moving work.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Pipeline Management

• Own project plans, timelines, milestones, and action logs for innovation initiatives from concept through launch.
• Lead cross-functional execution across Innovation, Commercial, Science & Medical Affairs, R&D, Brand, Insights, Commercialization, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, and Sales, aligning partners on priorities, owners, and next steps.
• Anticipate risks and dependencies before they affect timing, develop mitigation plans, and escalate only when leadership decisions are needed.
• Own the innovation pipeline tools and launch calendar as the single source of truth for stakeholders.
• Lead and present monthly pipeline updates, highlighting key milestones, changes, risks, and recommended actions.

Team Operations

• Lead weekly Innovation Operations meetings: set agendas, drive decisions, and hold owners accountable for follow-through.
• Build and manage a team dashboard that gives leadership clear visibility into project status, priorities, and risks.
• Assess team capacity and competing priorities, recommend trade-offs, and propose priorities for VP approval.
• Manage the innovation project budget, including vendor costs and POs, and flag variances with recommended adjustments.
• Identify opportunities to improve how the team works, and design scalable templates, trackers, and workflows that are adopted across the team.

Business Support

• Develop and present materials for executive meetings and Stage Gate reviews, building clear narratives that support decision-making.
• Synthesize complex project information into concise updates, clear recommendations, and decision points for senior stakeholders.
• Lead research, competitive assessments, and launch-readiness activities for priority business needs.
• Build a working understanding of OLIPOP’s innovation strategy, category trends, and competitive landscape to inform planning and recommendations.

What Success Looks Like

• Innovation projects have clear plans, owners, milestones, and next steps.
• Risks and dependencies are identified early and communicated clearly.
• Stakeholders have reliable visibility to the innovation pipeline.
• Meetings are focused, productive, and followed by consistent action.
• Cross-functional partners feel informed, supported, and clear on expectations.
• Team processes become more efficient without creating unnecessary complexity.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in project management, Commercialization, Innovation, Marketing operations, or a related field.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• Proven track record of independently leading cross-functional projects from planning through delivery.
• Sound judgment in balancing speed, risk, and impact, with the ability to work independently and with minimal guidance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting confidently to senior and cross-functional audiences.
• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
• Experience in consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, or product innovation is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.