Fractional Head, Product Innovation Research & Development

Herbal GoodnessMckinney, TX, US

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Fractional Head, Product Innovation Research & Development

Location : McKinney, TX

Reports To : CEO / Chief Operating Officer

About Herbal Goodness

Herbal Goodness is a premium wellness company specializing in nutrient-rich, organic herbal products sourced ethically from Africa and Latin America. We are a mission-driven, minority-owned business that donates 10% of our profits to educate girls in Africa through our WAAW Foundation. We're growing fast and seeking passionate, values-driven team members to join our leadership team.

Position Overview

The Fractional Head of Product Innovation, Research & Development is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving the end-to-end innovation lifecyclefrom ideation to market launch. This role ensures that the organization stays ahead of industry trends by identifying and executing high-impact innovation opportunities that align with business objectives and customer needs.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of a robust innovation pipeline, including ideation, product research, and go-to-market strategies.
Evaluate emerging technologies and market trends to identify strategic innovation opportunities and maintain competitive advantage.
Manage cross-functional project teams, ensuring alignment across departments and timely delivery of strategic initiatives within scope and budget.
Coordinate R&D activities, including prototype creation, testing, and validation, ensuring solutions are both innovative and market-ready.
Oversee the adoption of new technologies and digital transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and elevate the customer experience.
Implement industry-standard project management methodologies and tools to ensure transparency, stakeholder alignment, and consistent project execution.
Conduct in-depth competitive product and market analyses to identify innovation gaps and opportunities for differentiation in target markets.
Manage innovation-related budgets and resources, ensuring optimal allocation and maximum return on investment in support of long-term growth objectives.
Stay abreast of industry developments and emerging technologies, translating insights into actionable strategies that inform product development and innovation direction.

Qualifications & Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Product Development, Business, Innovation Management, or a related field. A Master's degree or MBA preferred.

Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in product innovation, R&D leadership, or technology strategy roles.

Proven track record of bringing new products from concept to market with measurable business impact.

Strong knowledge of innovation frameworks, digital transformation, and agile project management methodologies.

Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, with experience leading cross-functional and remote teams.

Proficiency in innovation management tools (e.g., Stage-Gate, Design Thinking, Lean Startup) and project management platforms (e.g., Asana, Jira, Trello).

Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Experience working in a fractional or consultancy capacity is a plus.

Key Attributes

Mission-driven and values-oriented

Highly organized and process-minded

Proactive problem-solver with a growth mindset

Committed to excellence and team success

Meaningful work tied to global impact (10% of profits go to girl-child education)

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Research Development • Mckinney, TX, US