Associate External Innovation Manager

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $4 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

PURPOSE STATEMENT

Looking for an exciting opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience in food and innovation? Rich’s is looking for a candidate to fulfill a full-time position as an Associate External Innovation Manager for the team where you will execute daily tasks and activities that support the team’s objective to advance the enterprise’s innovation agenda. Operating at the intersection of the food innovation ecosystem and Rich’s business unit strategies, the Associate XI Manager position is an excellent way to gain exposure to the thrilling, fast-paced “food-tech” space and immerse yourself within the global reach of Rich Products!

*Must be available to work a flexible hybrid schedule (Mon & Fri work from home, Tues-Thurs work onsite at world headquarters)

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/OUTCOMES

• Actively listen and participate as startups pitch their ideas to Rich’s; lead the complete startup management process: profile setup and documentation in the XI Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, publishing of next steps, and confirmation of timely actions completion

• Connect what you are hearing in the external world to internal stakeholder needs and opportunities; Coordinate regular business team connections to share learnings, collaborate on new partnership opportunities, and maintain relationships

• Project manage the execution of pilots and partnership opportunities

• Influence and provide leadership to business partners to drive accountability, navigate ambiguity, and align stakeholders

• Lead execution of business development and marketing related activities as the business unit requires

• Ensure project team engagement; manage risk and lead team to overcome roadblocks and delays

• Foster an agile, fast-paced environment through clear goal setting, timeline management and commercialization transition to the appropriate business unit

• Perform and synthesize research, trendspotting, and effectively relay summarized findings:

• Build the business case for growing technology opportunity areas with relevant competitive startup profiles with strategic business recommendations

• Track relevant corporate partnerships and startup activities in the news

• Attend industry-related webinars and events and share key learnings with appropriate internal business partners

• Champion the culture of innovation and new ways of working to drive efficiencies for the XI Department in our day-to-day work. For example:

• Build new custom capabilities and reports as we transition to the enterprise CRM platform

• Lead MS365 CoPilot (AI) testing and identify key opportunities

• Develop the department’s monthly report to executive leadership; track progress of KPI metrics and provide project and startup account activity updates

• Manage team’s Tradeshow & Conference calendar; support preparation of industry events by identifying important attendees for meetups and key corporate relationship introductions to preserve and expand XI’s network of innovation partners

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business or related field with minimum of 3 years’ experience required; MBA preferred

• Demonstrated resourcefulness, creative problem-solving skills, and experience challenging the status quo to build new business models and revenue streams

• Highly organized and independent; Ability to prioritize and juggle several projects at once

• Demonstrated leadership collaborating across several business functions and connecting the right people to the right opportunities based on their strategic needs.

• Ability to influence others, without direct authority, to produce results

• Experience with new product and business development principles

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with ambiguity, shifting priorities, and