Role Overview for Head of Marketing & Innovation – Food & Beverage – Los Angeles, CA
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a trailblazing, high-growth Food & Beverage company based in the vibrant heart of Los Angeles, CA. Our client is a category leader known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and disruptive innovation. They have cultivated a passionate consumer base by consistently delivering exceptional products that resonate with modern tastes and lifestyles. As they enter a pivotal phase of expansion and market penetration, they are seeking a dynamic and visionary Head of Marketing & Innovation to join their executive leadership team.
This is not just a marketing role; it is a strategic business leadership position that sits at the intersection of brand storytelling, product development, and commercial strategy. The Head of Marketing & Innovation will be the architect of the brand’s future, responsible for crafting and executing a comprehensive marketing vision that drives brand equity, consumer loyalty, and profitable growth. You will be the champion of the consumer, translating deep market insights into breakthrough products and compelling multi-channel campaigns that capture hearts and minds.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned CPG/F&B marketing leader with a dual-passion for creative brand building and data-driven, strategic innovation. You are a natural leader who can inspire a high-performing team, collaborate seamlessly across functions, and challenge the status quo. You thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and possess the commercial acumen to connect marketing initiatives directly to business outcomes. If you are ready to make a significant impact on a beloved brand and shape the future of the food and beverage industry, we invite you to apply.
Key Responsibilities of Head of Marketing & Innovation – Food & Beverage – Los Angeles, CA
As the Head of Marketing & Innovation, you will have a broad and impactful remit, overseeing all aspects of marketing, brand management, and the product innovation pipeline. Your responsibilities will include:
Strategic Brand & Marketing Leadership
- Develop and implement the long-term brand strategy, including positioning, architecture, and messaging to ensure relevance and differentiation in a competitive marketplace.
- Architect and execute an integrated, multi-channel annual marketing plan and budget, encompassing digital marketing, social media, public relations, influencer marketing, experiential events, and retail/shopper marketing.
- Own the full marketing P&L, ensuring all activities are optimized for ROI and contribute to achieving top-line and bottom-line financial targets.
- Serve as the ultimate brand guardian, ensuring all consumer-facing communications and touchpoints are consistent, on-brand, and of the highest quality.
Product Innovation & Pipeline Management
- Lead the end-to-end product innovation process, from whitespace identification and ideation to concept development, commercialization, and in-market launch.
- Champion a consumer-centric approach, leveraging market research, data analytics, and trend forecasting to uncover unmet needs and identify new growth opportunities.
- Collaborate intimately with R&D, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to develop a robust and commercially viable three-year innovation pipeline.
- Manage the product portfolio, conducting regular analysis to optimize assortment, drive SKU rationalization, and manage the product lifecycle effectively.
Data, Insights & Performance Analytics
- Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) across all marketing functions, including brand health metrics (awareness, equity, loyalty), campaign performance, and market share.
- Utilize syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen, IRI), consumer research, and internal data to generate actionable insights that inform strategy and decision-making.
- Foster a data-driven culture within the marketing team, continuously testing, learning, and optimizing programs to maximize effectiveness and efficiency. Stay informed on industry developments by following key publications like Food Business News.
- Provide regular, insightful reporting on marketing performance and market trends to the executive team and board of directors.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Recruit, mentor, and lead a world-class team of marketing and innovation professionals, fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Provide clear direction, set ambitious goals, and support the professional development of your direct reports and the broader team.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with key internal stakeholders, particularly Sales, Finance, and Operations, to ensure seamless execution of go-to-market strategies.
- Act as a key spokesperson for the brand with external partners, including agencies, vendors, media, and key customers.
Requirements for the Head of Marketing & Innovation – Food & Beverage – Los Angeles, CA
We are seeking a candidate who not only meets the technical requirements of the role but also aligns with the company’s ambitious and collaborative culture. The following qualifications are essential:
Educational Background
A Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field is required. An MBA is highly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive brand marketing experience, with at least 5-7 years in a senior leadership capacity (Director level or above) within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. Direct experience in Food & Beverage is mandatory.
Proven Track Record
Demonstrated success in building iconic brands, launching successful new products, and driving significant revenue growth. A portfolio showcasing innovative campaigns and product launches is highly desirable.
Strategic & Analytical Acumen
Exceptional strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate complex market data and consumer insights into a clear, actionable vision. Strong financial acumen and experience managing a multi-million dollar P&L.
Innovation Expertise
Deep experience with the stage-gate or a similar innovation process, from conceptualization through to commercialization. Must have a passion for food trends and consumer behavior.
Leadership Skills
A proven and inspirational leader with experience building, managing, and motivating high-performing teams. Must possess excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and align stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
Technical Proficiency
Expertise in modern marketing disciplines, including digital marketing (SEO, SEM, social, content), CRM, and e-commerce. Proficient in leveraging data analytics tools and syndicated data sources.
Personal Attributes
An entrepreneurial spirit, a bias for action, high emotional intelligence, resilience, and a genuine passion for the food and beverage space. Must be comfortable in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client believes in investing in their people and offers a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and growth of their employees. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
A highly attractive base salary, an annual performance-based bonus, and long-term incentive/equity potential.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company. Access to wellness programs and mental health resources.
Retirement Savings
A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Time Off
A flexible and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, in addition to paid company holidays, to encourage work-life balance.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including conferences, certifications, and leadership training to support your career growth.
Parental Leave
A comprehensive paid parental leave policy for all new parents.
Additional Perks
A collaborative and inspiring office environment in Los Angeles, regular team-building events, a fully stocked kitchen with company products, and employee discounts.
How to Apply
JRG Partners is managing this exclusive search. If you are a results-oriented and innovative marketing leader with a passion for the food and beverage industry, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter outlining your qualifications and why you are the ideal candidate for this role through our secure portal.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. To learn more about our dedicated recruitment expertise in this sector, please visit our Food & Beverage practice page.
