About the Role
The Senior Manager, New Product Innovation leads the end-to-end execution of new product launches, packaging renovations, limited-time offers, import innovations, and portfolio expansion initiatives across HEINEKEN USA. This role serves as the primary project leader connecting Marketing, Supply Chain, Commercial, Procurement, Quality, Legal, Packaging, Finance, HNS, HMEX, breweries, co-packers, and external suppliers to deliver innovation projects on time, within budget, and in alignment with commercialization objectives.
The position owns portfolio governance, stage-gate progression for supply chain, launch readiness, stakeholder alignment, risk mitigation, and innovation execution from concept through post-launch performance review. Responsibilities include managing new liquid innovations, packaging redesigns, supplier-led innovation opportunities, import projects, keg innovations, seasonal releases, and product renovations.
Serve in a key position within Operations. Facilitate integration of new suppliers into the existing supply chain footprint to deliver volume and drive value. Work collaboratively with key business partners to ensure effective supply chain management, interact cross functionally to identify and meet business requirements at a strategic and executional level. Work closely with other Heineken Global partners to ensure effective end-to-end supply chain management. Externally engage with other key stakeholders necessary to perform and deliver the requirements of the role.
Key Responsibilities
Project Management and Performance Management
- Project manage the new and existing network of breweries into the new liquid innovation process.
- Prepare executive-ready updates for cross-functional steering committees and leadership teams.
- Present project status, risks, options, and recommended actions to senior leadership.
- Create tasks and timelines for supply chain to enable the Heineken way of Innovation and Gate Process.
- Ensure sourcing options can meet aggressive timelines and deliver on-budget product launches.
- Lead performance management activities including KPIs, continuous improvement initiatives, and quarterly business reviews with key supplier partners.
- Define, monitor, and drive performance across KPIs including forecast accuracy, on-time delivery, cost of goods, productivity, quality, inventory, working capital, responsible sourcing, and compliance.
- Define and implement management systems to deliver performance and value.
- Establish relevant reporting for delivery, cost, and quality KPIs.
- Ensure supply chain partners execute product development efforts on time, at target cost, and at target quality.
- Identify and implement productivity opportunities at new beverage manufacturers and across the supply chain, leveraging Lean Six Sigma processes and TPM methodology.
Supplier and External Partner Management
- Lead communication with suppliers, co-packers, packaging vendors, ingredient suppliers, and global innovation partners.
- Manage supplier readiness, lead-time risks, MOQ requirements, transfer-price assessments, and production feasibility.
- Escalate issues impacting launch timing and develop recovery plans.
Commercialization and Launch Readiness
- Coordinate artwork approvals, dielines, packaging specifications, UPC creation, pallet patterns, market requirements, and commercialization deliverables.
- Ensure successful handoff between innovation teams and operational execution.
- Manage inventory transition strategies, launch timing, distributor readiness, and market deployment requirements.
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to align launches with customer and retailer expectations.
Secure New Supply Chains in Accordance with Supply Chain Network Strategy
- Evaluate the network to successfully integrate new beverage innovations into existing supply chain networks.
- Own new networks, including supplier identification, qualification, and ongoing performance management.
- Use scenario planning and business cases to determine when to externally manufacture or embed production in the HEINEKEN network.
- Liaise between internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure compliance with sourcing policies and procedures.
- Manage internal and external transfer prices to design the most impactful network.
- Lead annual financial planning and quarterly business reviews.
- Secure services and negotiate with suppliers based on capabilities, cost, and capacity.
- Assess the technical capabilities and product quality and integrity of potential production partners.
- Define performance objectives, incentives, and penalties to ensure successful volume delivery.
- Establish governance for planning and execution activities.
- Collaborate on logistics processes for warehousing and transportation condition standards.
Integrate Partners into the Supply Chain
- Lead sourcing activities for advanced development, providing end-to-end cost visibility and ensuring products meet cost KPIs.
- Collaborate with new suppliers and HUSA supply chain planning teams to synchronize production scheduling and inventory management.
- Help secure capacity and mitigate potential issues during peak demand.
- Anticipate issues and create solutions with suppliers and HUSA supply planning teams.
- Ensure integration of demand forecasts and supply plans to deliver business objectives.
- Align internal and external stakeholders to maximize customer service and minimize inventory and obsolescence.
- Coordinate cost management and network optimization for freight logistics.
- Manage all aspects of purchase order creation and management for domestic production.
Safeguard Quality and Compliance Management
- Ensure manufacturers adhere to quality standards for ongoing production while driving continuous improvement.
- Certify supply base compliance with customer requirements, regulatory agencies, government regulations, contract specifications, company policies, and procedures.
- Enforce relevant HUSA policies and requirements for the network.
- Document new ways of working for the end-to-end operation, including quality, ordering, planning, and logistics.
- Develop and enforce risk mitigation and contingency plans.
Basic Qualifications and Requirements
- 5+ years of experience through relevant supply chain positions.
- Strong project management and execution skills to meet aggressive deliverables.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, influencing, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Negotiation skills.
- Ability to demonstrate thought and idea leadership to develop innovative beverage network sourcing solutions.
- Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% of the time.
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree-level education in Supply Chain or a relevant discipline.
- Knowledge of NPI management.
- Practical experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as TPM, TQM, and/or Lean Six Sigma.
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: $135,000–$150,000 plus annual bonus.
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits plus matching 401(k) plan.
- 20 days of paid vacation and unlimited wellness days.
- $200 monthly beverage allowance.
HEINEKEN USA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, belonging, and fair and equal opportunities for all qualified candidates.
This position is not available for visa sponsorship and does not provide relocation assistance.