Innovation Manager

ABOUT OLIPOP

At OLIPOP, we’re on a mission to positively impact consumer health at scale. And we’re doing it through something simple: soda. But not just any soda, a new kind of soda: one that’s delicious, refreshing, and actually good for you.

This mission is deeply personal for our CEO, Co-Founder, and Formulator, Ben Goodwin. Like many of us, Ben grew up consuming the Standard American Diet: lots of soda and processed foods that prioritized convenience over nutrition. But at 14, he took his health into his own hands. After making significant changes to his nutrition and exercise, he lost 50 pounds and saw a transformation in his energy, mood, and emotional clarity.

Those changes sparked a deep curiosity about the connection between nutrition and health. Ben became a relentless student of the gut microbiome and the ways it supports overall wellness. The more he discovered, the more passionate he became about finding credible, science-backed ways to make consumer health accessible to everyone.

The mission was clear. The vehicle? Less so. After exploring the possibilities, Ben landed on an unexpected yet familiar choice: soda. It was something he loved as a kid, and he knew millions shared that same nostalgia. But this wouldn’t be just any soda. With most Americans falling short on daily fiber, Ben set out to create a version with more fiber and less sugar, one that was perfectly balanced. The result? A deliciously refreshing soda with 6 to 9 grams of fiber and 2 to 5 grams of sugar, delivering science-backed benefits without sacrificing the classic taste people crave.

In 2018, the first OLIPOP cans hit the shelves, bringing Ben’s vision to life with a functional soda that anyone could enjoy. And by reimagining soda, we’re also reshaping culture. That means creating products that support health for all and building a business grounded in humanistic values: empathy, integrity, and a belief in better for everyone. From the ingredients we source to the culture we foster, we’re committed to proving that business (and beverage!) can be a force for good, and that soda has the power to bring people together.

So join us, and let’s write a new American soda story together. One we can all feel good about. One OLIPOP at a time.

OLIPOP is looking for an Innovation Manager to join our Innovation team. This role leads the quantitative and strategic evaluation of our innovation pipeline, combining consumer insights, commercial performance, and financial analysis to shape how our portfolio grows.  

You'll lead the evaluation of line extensions, limited-time offers (LTOs), price pack architecture, and assortment opportunities, bringing together data, consumer understanding, and business strategy to prioritize the pipeline. Working cross-functionally across the organization, you'll help translate opportunities into commercially successful innovation that drives long-term growth.  

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Pipeline Strategy & Prioritization  — Lead the analytical evaluation of line extensions, LTOs, price pack architecture, and variety pack strategy to prioritize the innovation pipeline and recommend where OLIPOP should invest.  

Portfolio Strategy & Commercial Analytics  — Analyze syndicated data, retailer performance, consumer trends, and internal sales data to evaluate portfolio health, identify whitespace opportunities, and optimize assortment and SKU productivity.  

Business Case Development  — Develop compelling, data-driven business cases that integrate consumer insights, commercial opportunity, financial return, operational complexity, and brand strategy to guide innovation investment decisions.  

Cross-Functional Partnership  — Partner closely with Insights, Brand, Sales, Finance, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Regulatory to evaluate opportunities, balance tradeoffs, and drive successful commercialization.  

QUALIFICATIONS  

3–5 years of experience in innovation, brand management, category management, portfolio strategy, or commercial strategy within a CPG company.  

Demonstrated experience evaluating line extensions, price pack architecture, assortment strategy, SKU productivity, or portfolio optimization. Experience supporting seasonal or limited-time offers (LTOs) is a plus.  

Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable recommendations—not simply report results.  

Experience using syndicated data (Circana, NielsenIQ, SPINS, Numerator, or similar) and internal business performance data to identify opportunities and inform strategic decisions.  

Strong financial acumen with experience developing business cases and evaluating commercial opportunities.  

Effective cross-functional collaborator across Brand, Insights, Sales, Finance, R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, and Regulatory.  

Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.  

Comfortable navigating ambiguity and making recommendations with imperfect information.  

Advanced Excel skills required; experience with Tableau, Power BI, or similar data visualization tools is a plus.  

Experience in a high-growth or entrepreneurial environment is a plus.  

Passion for the OLIPOP brand and excitement for shaping the future of modern soda.  

REPORTS TO:  VP of Innovation  

COMPENSATION:

$120,000 - $135,000 + Bonus HOW WE WORK

We may be fully remote, but we’re anything but disconnected. OLIPOP has grown from a few passionate people around a table to a nationwide team, and we’ve done it without losing our collaborative spirit or sense of purpose.

Connection here is intentional. From cross-functional projects and IRL offsites to thoughtful Slack threads and spontaneous gifs, we make the effort to stay close, even across time zones. Sure, we move quickly, but we lead with trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to doing work that matters.

We value thoughtful debate. We give feedback with care and receive it with curiosity, knowing that real growth, both personal and collective, comes from listening as much as leading. Because at OLIPOP, it’s not just about getting things done. It’s about growing together, staying true to what matters, and building something with lasting impact.

 

WHAT WE VALUE

At OLIPOP, our values aren’t just posters on a wall. They shape how we show up: for each other, for our customers, and for the mission we’re chasing together. 

Mission Connectivity : Everything we do ladders up to our shared goal: supporting human health. Whether launching a new flavor or conducting clinical research, the mission stays front and center.

Indomitable Spirit : When things get messy, we get inventive. We stay curious, adapt quickly, and find the path forward, most likely with a dedicated Slack thread and a beautifully overbuilt deck.

Lead at Every Level : Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about ownership. We speak up, follow through, and lift each other up. If you’ve got ideas and initiative, you’ve got influence.

Courageous Humility: We’re confident in what we bring and curious about what we don’t know (yet). We give feedback with care, take it with grace, and know that real growth takes both.

 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Success at OLIPOP doesn’t come from checking boxes; it comes from living our values, staying curious, and finding energy in both the pace and the purpose. We’re building something big, and we’re looking for people who: 

Think big, move fast, and take thoughtful risks

Thrive in a high-performance, feedback-rich environment

Value real human connection and honest collaboration

Are fired up by building something new, and making it better every day

Startup life at OLIPOP is equally fun and fast-paced. If you’re energized by a dynamic environment, eager to grow, and excited to help shape something meaningful from the inside out, OLIPOP is a one-of-a-kind ride.

 

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities or other needs during the application process and employment. To request an accommodation, please contact The People Team at recruiting@drinkolipop.com.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  OLIPOP will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.

 

Submission of Application Materials Applicants are required to submit only the materials specifically requested as part of the application process. Please do not include any unsolicited materials, as they will not be reviewed or considered.

Unsolicited materials may include, but are not limited to:

Marketing or promotional concepts

Business ideas or strategies

Photographs, videos, or other media

Presentations, designs, or other creative content

By submitting any materials beyond those explicitly requested, you agree that:

You are voluntarily providing such materials;

You irrevocably assign all rights, title, and interest in and to those materials to Olipop Inc.; and

Olipop Inc. may use, reproduce, modify, distribute, or otherwise exploit such materials for any purpose anywhere in the world, without restriction or compensation.