Innovation, Marketing and Brand Manager ( Fractional ) Part Time
FRACTIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Marketing, Brand and Product Innovation Manager
Greater Cleveland / Solon, Ohio | Three days per week, in office
Step Change Innovations develops and commercializes functional foods, beverages, and supplements for retailers, wholesalers, and ingredient companies. We strengthen private brand wellness programs through ready to launch products, custom development, and SCI-owned brands such as Wellwerks® and NüWerks®. Our team connects ingredient science, formulation, regulatory expertise, manufacturing, and retail execution.
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on professional who understands grocery retail and can turn shopper insights, emerging trends, and ingredient science into compelling brands, products, and commercial programs.
WHAT YOU WILL OWN
Brand and portfolio strategy. Identify gaps in retailer assortments; shape positioning, product priorities, and differentiated private brand programs built around shopper needs and retailer goals.
Product innovation. Translate consumer, flavor, nutrition, and ingredient trends into actionable concepts, product briefs, packaging direction, and innovation presentations.
Commercialization. Help move concepts to shelf with science, regulatory, sourcing, and operations teams; align cost, pricing, margins, packaging, timelines, and launch readiness.
Marketing and activation. Own content, social media, website updates, buyer presentations, catalogs, and client materials; support launches, merchandising, sampling, and retailer education.
AI and performance. Use Claude and other AI tools with our AI Manager to improve research and content; verify accuracy, protect client information, and use results to refine programs.
EXPERIENCE THAT MATTERS
Demonstrated success in brand management, marketing, product innovation, and retail commercialization, with examples of products or private brand programs brought to market.
Experience at Daymon, Topco, Nestlé, or a comparable retailer, wholesaler, private brand organization, or consumer products company strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of grocery buying, category and assortment strategy, retailer economics, and execution from concept through shelf.
Hands-on experience with Claude; strong writing, presentation, and project management skills, with the ability to develop strategy and execute the work.
COMPENSATION AND GROWTH
$50,000 annual base compensation for the fractional role, plus quarterly performance bonus opportunity. Direct access to leadership, meaningful growth upside, and a path to a full-time role as responsibilities and the business expand.
