Sr. Manager, Product Strategy & Inbound Licensing

About This Role

Lead the strategic development and approval process for Krispy Kreme's Limited-Time Offer (LTO) portfolio, focusing on driving traffic, trial, and cultural relevance. Oversee non-core product strategy for doughnuts and beverages, and activate inbound licensing partnerships to elevate brand excitement and incremental growth.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall non-core product strategy for seasonal, LTO, and opportunistic product launches
• Act as a key stakeholder and partner with the commercialization team through the IDEAL development process
• Leverage insights, trend analysis, and competitive intelligence to inform LTO innovation recommendations and inbound licensing decisions
• Partner with consumer insights and analytics to develop and formalize NPD briefs
• Collaborate with brand marketing, culinary innovation, and operations for consistent product translation
• Ensure products are developed within specified cost parameters to achieve business targets
• Support product "sell-in" with cross-functional partners and leadership
• Continuously evaluate and prioritize projects in the pipeline with marketing and culinary innovation partners
• Monitor launch performance to learn and optimize future LTOs
• Identify and pursue inbound licensing opportunities aligning with LTO calendar, seasonal moments, and cultural trends
• Sell-in partnership opportunity with external partners
• Evaluate licensed IP for strategic/brand fit, commercial upside, and operational feasibility
• Manage day-to-day licensor relationships, risks/issues, and approvals, maintaining brand standards
• Manage inbound negotiations and deal points, as well as contracts in partnership with Legal
• Manage licensing budgets and invoices

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in brand management, product marketing, or innovation
• Experience within QSR, CPG, or food & beverage
• Passion for food and beverage innovation
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability working with and rallying multiple departments/key stakeholders
• Strong people and negotiations skills
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and in a high-pressure environment
• Comfortable being a business owner, working independently and making recommendations and decisions
• Self-motivated with an innovative, can-do spirit
• Proactive, results-oriented with strong business and analytic acumen
• Strong written and oral communications skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. MBA is a plus.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in brand management, product marketing, or innovation within QSR, CPG, or food & beverage.

Nice to Have

• MBA

Benefits