Senior Innovation Brand Manager

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (SMWE) is seeking a Senior Innovation Brand Manager to lead the creation of new‑to‑world wine brands while managing day‑to‑day performance of select Power Brands, including Top Box. This role oversees the full innovation lifecycle—from identifying white‑space opportunities and developing concepts to executing test launches and assessing results—while also driving annual plans, activation strategies, packaging updates, and ongoing performance for existing brands. Success requires entrepreneurial thinking, disciplined execution, cross‑functional leadership, and strong commercial acumen to advance both early‑stage innovation and established brand growth within the SMWE portfolio.

NOTE: We are only recruiting candidates based in WA, OR, or CA.  This role will require monthly travel to WA if not based locally.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the largest wine company in the Pacific Northwest, and among the largest premium wine companies in the U.S, with roots dating back to 1933. Throughout our 90+ year history, what has remained constant is our unwavering commitment to quality, service to our customers, and connection with our community. We are proud that our award-winning wines farmed in Oregon and Washington are an expression of all the best things about the Pacific Northwest — the spirit of people, the abundance of the land, and the excellence-driven culture. Our distinctive portfolio of wines, including Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, Erath, A to Z Wineworks, REX HILL, Intrinsic, Liquid Light, Northstar, and Spring Valley Vineyard, are enjoyed across the U.S. and distributed in over 100 countries.

Senior Innovation Brand Manager job responsibilities include: 

Innovation Development & Commercialization

• Oversee the end‑to‑end development of new products, including white-space exploration, ideation, strategic business casing, naming, packaging, proposition refinement, and go‑to‑market planning.
• Lead cross‑functional collaboration with Winemaking, Operations, Packaging, Sales, Pricing, Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Demand Planning to ensure successful development and execution of innovation projects.
• Conduct financial analysis and scenario planning in support of innovation viability assessments.
• Onboard & Mange external agencies for package development, brand identity, and early‑stage activation materials.
• Track and evaluate in‑market performance against defined success criteria using sales data, performance dashboards, and consumer research.

Tactical Brand Management

• Lead annual brand planning and own day-to-day management of assigned brands (e.g., Top Box).
• Develop and execute marketing programs, activation plans, packaging refreshes, and promotional strategies to achieve volume, velocity, and distribution objectives.
• Manage P&L inputs for assigned brands, partnering with Finance and the Pricing Team on pricing, margin management, and demand forecasts.
• Utilize sales, category, and consumer insights to inform decisions and optimize ongoing brand performance.
• Serve as the brand's operational hub, ensuring cross-functional partners have the direction, assets, and information needed to deliver executional excellence.
• Partner with Digital Marketing, Communications, Trade Marketing, and Sales for go-to‑market execution.
• Communicate innovation & brand updates, risk, and decision points to senior leadership.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred

• 10+ years of experience in marketing, innovation/product development, wine brand management, and end‑to‑end project ownership; alcohol beverage industry experience strongly preferred
• Proven ability to think strategically and lead brand plans from concept through execution
• Strong decision‑making skills with the ability to take calculated risks grounded in data, context, and experience
• Advanced financial and analytical skills with a clear understanding of how brand decisions influence broader business performance
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated success leading and collaborating with cross‑functional teams to drive results
• History of responsible use of alcohol and other appropriate conduct, as well as fitness to be licensed, permitted, and/or certified by state and/or local regulatory bodies.

Your Compensation:

$110,093.00 - $143,132.00 per year based upon relevant experience. 

At Ste. Michelle Wine Estates we believe in paying our employees equal pay for equal work. Individual offers are made dependent upon a candidate’s prior experience and education level as it pertains to the role.

Benefits of working with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates:

Our Total Rewards programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain talented, curious people with a passion for innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and growth.  We offer leading programs that inspire and reward superior performance and foster an inclusive, diverse, and healthy workforce.

• Health Care Coverage including medical, dental, vision & prescription – eligible on date of hire for full-time employees
• Paid Vacation & Holidays
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Employee Wine Discounts 

Culture at Ste. Michelle:

We Challenge: We are driven to succeed in everything we do, and we challenge ourselves and our team to perform at the highest level.

We Care: We put people first – our team, our consumers, our customers, our communities.

We Collaborate: We believe there is nothing we can’t accomplish – together – and we believe lifting up those around us is essential to achieving both individual and collective success.

Harvest your potential, Uncork the possibilities! 

Need assistance with the application process?  Click here to review step by step instructions available in  English or Spanish.

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class.  For more information, see the EEOC's "Equal Employment Opportunity is The Law" poster.  

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a United States Department of Homeland Security website that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Please visit the following website for additional information: https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/what-is-e-verify