Associate Project Manager, Innovation

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.

Role Overview 

The Innovation Project Manager is the operational backbone of the Innovation team, translating ideas and priorities into clear plans, coordinated workstreams, and successful execution. 

This role owns project timelines, team tools, cross-functional communication, and operational processes across the innovation pipeline, working independently to keep complex, fast-moving work on track. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, collaborative, and energized by bringing structure and momentum to complex, fast-moving work. 

Key Responsibilities 

Project & Pipeline Management 

• Own project plans, timelines, milestones, and action logs for innovation initiatives from concept through launch. 

• Lead cross-functional execution across Innovation, Commercial, Science & Medical Affairs, R&D, Brand, Insights, Commercialization, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, and Sales aligning partners on priorities, owners, and next steps. 

• Anticipate risks and dependencies before they affect timing, develop mitigation plans, and escalate only when leadership decisions are needed. 

• Own the innovation pipeline tools and launch calendar as the single source of truth for stakeholders. 

• Lead and present monthly pipeline updates, highlighting key milestones, changes, risks, and recommended actions. 

Team Operations 

• Lead weekly Innovation Operations meetings: set agendas, drive decisions, and hold owners accountable for follow-through. 

• Build and manage a team dashboard that gives leadership clear visibility into project status, priorities, and risks. 

• Assess team capacity and competing priorities, recommend trade-offs, and propose priorities for VP approval. 

• Manage the innovation project budget, including vendor costs and POs, and flag variances with recommended adjustments. 

• Identify opportunities to improve how the team works, and design scalable templates, trackers, and workflows that are adopted across the team. 

Business Support 

• Develop and present materials for executive meetings and Stage Gate reviews, building clear narratives that support decision-making. 

• Synthesize complex project information into concise updates, clear recommendations, and decision points for senior stakeholders. 

• Lead research, competitive assessments, and launch-readiness activities for priority business needs. 

• Build a working understanding of OLIPOP's innovation strategy, category trends, and competitive landscape to inform planning and recommendations. 

 

What Success Looks Like 

• Innovation projects have clear plans, owners, milestones, and next steps. 

• Risks and dependencies are identified early and communicated clearly. 

• Stakeholders have reliable visibility to the innovation pipeline. 

• Meetings are focused, productive, and followed by consistent action. 

• Cross-functional partners feel informed, supported, and clear on expectations. 

• Team processes become more efficient without creating unnecessary complexity. 

 

Qualifications 

• 5-8 years of experience in project management, Commercialization, Innovation, Marketing operations, or a related field. 

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple workstreams. 

• Proven track record of independently leading cross-functional projects from planning through delivery. 

• Sound judgment in balancing speed, risk, and impact, with the ability to work independently and with minimal guidance. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting confidently to senior and cross-functional audiences. 

• Proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities. 

• Experience in consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, or product innovation is preferred. 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.

 

REPORTS TO: VP, Innovation 

COMPENSATION: $100,000 - $115,000 + 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:

1. You are voluntarily providing such materials;
2. You irrevocably assign all rights, title, and interest in and to those materials to Olipop Inc.; and
3. Olipop Inc. may use, reproduce, modify, distribute, or otherwise exploit such materials for any purpose anywhere in the world, without restriction or compensation.