Director, Product Strategy - Roasted Coffee

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy - Roasted Coffee

Company: La Colombe (Acquired by Chobani)

Location: New York, NY, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy / Brand Management (CPG/Beverage Focus)

Date Posted: August 07, 2025

Experience Level: 8-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead product strategy and execution for the entire roasted coffee portfolio, encompassing packaging updates and sales support initiatives.

• Drive innovation pipeline development for roasted coffee formats, managing the process from initial concept through successful market launch.

• Ensure seamless alignment across all sales and distribution channels, including retail, café operations, and e-commerce, for product launches, pricing, and strategic positioning.

• Conduct rigorous performance analysis of product portfolios, leveraging data-driven insights to refine strategies and foster continuous growth within the competitive coffee market.

• Champion cross-functional collaboration with Research & Development, Marketing, Sales, and Operations teams to facilitate effective product commercialization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role operates within the context of La Colombe, a premium coffee brand now part of Chobani, indicating a focus on high-quality product development and brand experience within the premium beverage sector. The "Roasted Coffee" specialization suggests deep expertise in coffee sourcing, roasting profiles, and consumer preferences related to brewed coffee formats.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute the strategic roadmap for all roasted coffee products, including managing packaging refreshes and developing effective sales support materials.

• Lead the conceptualization, development, and launch of new roasted coffee products and format innovations, ensuring they meet market demand and brand standards.

• Collaborate with channel leads to develop and implement cohesive go-to-market strategies, crafting clear and compelling product positioning and messaging for diverse customer segments.

• Define and manage pricing strategies for roasted coffee products across all channels to ensure brand consistency and profitability.

• Equip the sales team with essential tools and resources, such as sales decks, training materials, and competitive intelligence, to enhance product selling effectiveness.

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) for all roasted coffee products, using data to inform strategic adjustments and optimize future product offerings.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with customers to gather feedback, enhance product offerings, and inform the product roadmap.

• Partner with R&D to ensure product quality and innovation align with market trends and consumer preferences.

• Align product marketing initiatives with overall brand strategy and ensure consistent brand messaging across all touchpoints.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a holistic product lifecycle management approach, from concept and innovation to performance analysis and customer advocacy, specifically for roasted coffee products. The emphasis on cross-channel alignment and sales enablement highlights the need for strong commercial acumen and cross-functional leadership.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field is required.

Experience: 8-10 years of progressive experience in product strategy, brand management, or a similar product marketing role, preferably within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) or café/beverage industry.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in developing and executing product strategies within a competitive market.

• Strong analytical skills for performance tracking, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making.

• Excellent project management capabilities with a track record of successfully managing complex product launches.

• Superior communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate vision, strategy, and performance insights to diverse stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to foster strong cross-functional relationships and collaborate effectively with R&D, marketing, sales, and operations teams.

• Experience in developing and refining product positioning and messaging tailored to specific customer segments.

• Proficiency in understanding and developing pricing strategies.

• Capability in sales enablement, including creating effective sales collateral and training materials.

Preferred Skills:

• A strong understanding of the coffee industry, including sourcing, roasting processes, and consumer preferences.

• Familiarity with the CPG or premium beverage category.

• Experience with e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (DTC) product strategies.

• Knowledge of retail channel dynamics and café operations.

• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 8-10 years suggests this is a senior-level individual contributor or potential team lead role, requiring a strategic mindset and demonstrated impact in product management. Preference for coffee or CPG experience indicates a need for industry-specific knowledge.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of successful product strategy development and execution for CPG or beverage products.

• Case studies showcasing innovation pipeline management, from concept ideation to successful market launch, highlighting key challenges and outcomes.

• Documentation of cross-channel product alignment strategies, illustrating how retail, café, and e-commerce initiatives were coordinated.

• Analysis of product performance metrics and the strategic adjustments made based on these insights, with a focus on driving growth and profitability.

Process Documentation:

• Examples of market analysis frameworks and competitive intelligence reports used to inform product strategy.

• Workflow documentation for product development processes, including concept validation, R&D collaboration, and go-to-market planning.

• Methodologies for tracking and reporting on product performance, including key metrics and dashboard creation.

• Processes for gathering and integrating customer feedback into product roadmaps and strategic planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific systems are not listed, a strong portfolio demonstrating end-to-end product lifecycle management, strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and cross-functional collaboration will be critical for showcasing capabilities in this role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $148,000.00 - $222,000.00 annually, plus bonus.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

• Disability Insurance

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Tuition Reimbursement program

• 401k match: 100% on up to 5% of eligible pay

• Fertility Assistance

• Childcare Assistance

• 12 weeks of parental leave at full pay (after six months of continuous employment)

• Wellness Resources, including Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness discounts, wellness reimbursement, and on-site gym access (at certain locations).

• Paid Time Off (PTO): 120 hours

• 11 Paid Holidays

• Paid Volunteer Time Off

• Military Service Leave

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role. This position is on-site, requiring consistent presence in the New York office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Director-level Product Strategy role in a major metropolitan area like New York City, particularly within the CPG/Food & Beverage sector. The extensive benefits package, including parental leave and wellness support, reflects a commitment to employee well-being and work-life integration.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Food & Beverage (Premium Coffee & Dairy/Plant-Based)

Company Size: La Colombe, as a brand acquired by Chobani, benefits from the resources and structure of a larger, established food and beverage company. Chobani itself is a significant player in the CPG space.

Founded: La Colombe was founded in 1994. Chobani was founded in 2005. The acquisition in 2023 signifies a strategic expansion for Chobani into the premium coffee market.

Team Structure:

• The Director, Product Strategy will likely report to a VP or Senior Director of Product Management or Marketing within the La Colombe division or a broader Chobani CPG structure.

• The role requires close collaboration with Brand Managers, R&D specialists, Marketing teams (for go-to-market and messaging), Sales teams (for enablement and channel strategy), and Operations (for supply chain and execution).

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core methodology, with a focus on analyzing product performance, market trends, and consumer insights to guide strategy.

• Innovation is a key driver, requiring a structured approach to product ideation, development, and launch.

• Cross-functional collaboration is essential for integrating diverse expertise and ensuring successful execution across departments.

• Customer-centricity is paramount, with an emphasis on understanding and responding to consumer needs and feedback.

Company Website: www.lacolombe.com

📝 Enhancement Note: La Colombe is positioned as a pioneer in high-quality coffee, known for ethical sourcing and community empowerment. Its integration into Chobani, a mission-driven company focused on accessible nutrition, suggests a culture that values purpose, quality, and innovation. This role will be instrumental in shaping the future of La Colombe's roasted coffee offerings within this larger corporate framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position, indicating a senior leadership role responsible for a significant product category. It requires a blend of strategic vision, market expertise, and execution capabilities.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports into a senior leadership layer within product management or marketing, potentially a VP of Product or Chief Marketing Officer, within the La Colombe brand or the broader Chobani organization.

Operations Impact: The Director, Product Strategy will have a direct and substantial impact on La Colombe's revenue and market share by defining the direction of its core roasted coffee product lines. Strategic decisions made in this role will influence brand perception, consumer loyalty, and overall business growth across multiple channels.

Growth Opportunities:

• Vertical Growth: Potential to advance to Senior Director or VP roles overseeing larger product portfolios or multiple brands within Chobani's expanded portfolio.

• Horizontal Growth: Opportunity to move into broader brand management, category management, or even general management roles within the CPG sector, leveraging expertise gained at La Colombe/Chobani.

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in coffee product development, CPG market dynamics, cross-channel strategy, and innovation management through hands-on experience and potential training programs.

• Leadership Exposure: Gain exposure to executive leadership within Chobani, contributing to strategic discussions and influencing company direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a Director-level role in a growing company (through acquisition), this position offers significant potential for career advancement and professional development. The ability to shape a key product category within a well-regarded brand provides a strong platform for future leadership opportunities.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in New York City, a major hub for business and innovation. The work environment is likely a dynamic office setting conducive to collaboration and strategic thinking.

Office Location(s): New York, NY. Specific office details are not provided, but it is expected to be a professional corporate office environment.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will foster collaboration, requiring close interaction with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, R&D, and operations.

• Access to necessary tools and technologies for product strategy, market analysis, and project management will be provided.

• Opportunities for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and strategic planning will be integral to the daily work.

Work Schedule: Standard business hours (approximately 40 hours per week) are expected, with a requirement for on-site presence. Flexibility may be available, but the core responsibilities necessitate consistent engagement in the office environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: Working in New York City offers access to a vibrant ecosystem of talent, industry trends, and consumer insights, which can be highly beneficial for a product strategy role in the beverage sector.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the direct hiring manager to evaluate strategic thinking, product expertise, and understanding of the coffee/CPG market.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from R&D, Marketing, Sales, and potentially Operations to assess collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across departments.

• Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a case study on a relevant product strategy challenge, innovation plan, or performance analysis, demonstrating their strategic thinking and communication abilities.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior leader (e.g., VP, CMO) to confirm strategic alignment and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Strategic Impact: Highlight instances where your product strategies directly led to significant business outcomes, such as revenue growth, market share increase, or successful product launches.

• Demonstrate Innovation Process: Include examples of how you identified market opportunities, developed innovative product concepts, and managed the end-to-end innovation process.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data and KPIs to illustrate the success of your initiatives. For example, "Increased sales of Product X by 15% through a refined pricing strategy."

• Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration: Provide examples of successful partnerships with other departments, demonstrating your ability to influence and align stakeholders.

• Tailor to Coffee/CPG: If possible, showcase relevant experience within the coffee or CPG industry, demonstrating an understanding of category-specific nuances.

Challenge Preparation:

• Market Analysis: Be prepared to discuss current trends in the coffee and beverage market, including consumer preferences, competitive landscape, and emerging channels.

• Product Strategy Development: Practice articulating your approach to developing a product strategy, from market research and consumer segmentation to product positioning and launch planning.

• Innovation Ideation: Be ready to brainstorm innovative product ideas for roasted coffee formats based on identified market opportunities or consumer needs.

• Performance Analysis: Prepare to discuss how you would track and analyze product performance, identify key drivers of success or failure, and recommend strategic adjustments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, expect interview questions to focus on strategic thinking, market acumen, innovation methodologies, and cross-functional collaboration. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly articulates impact and process will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM: Salesforce or similar CRM for customer data, sales pipeline tracking, and account management.

• Project Management: Tools like Asana, Trello, Monday.com, or Jira for managing product development timelines, tasks, and cross-functional projects.

• Product Management Software: Platforms like Aha!, Productboard, or Jira Product Discovery for roadmap planning, feature prioritization, and idea management.

• Data Analysis & Visualization: Tools such as Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics, or advanced Excel for analyzing sales data, market trends, and product performance.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for creating dashboards and reports on product sales, market share, and key performance indicators.

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics for monitoring e-commerce performance and customer behavior online.

• Sales Data Platforms: Internal sales reporting systems or specialized CPG analytics platforms.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce: Likely the primary CRM for managing customer relationships and sales data.

• Marketing Automation: Platforms like HubSpot, Marketo, or Mailchimp for targeted marketing campaigns and customer communication.

• Integration Tools: Potentially used for connecting various business systems to ensure data flow and process efficiency.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a strong candidate will be proficient in standard CPG/product management software, CRM systems, and data analysis/visualization tools. Familiarity with e-commerce platforms and digital marketing tools would also be beneficial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Quality & Excellence: A commitment to delivering best-in-class roasted coffee products and maintaining high standards in all aspects of product strategy and execution.

• Innovation: A drive to continuously explore new ideas, formats, and market opportunities to keep La Colombe at the forefront of the coffee industry.

• Collaboration: A belief in the power of teamwork and cross-functional partnerships to achieve shared goals and bring successful products to market.

• Customer Focus: A dedication to understanding and serving the needs of La Colombe's diverse customer base across all channels.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: An emphasis on using insights from data and analytics to inform strategic choices and optimize product performance.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role requires active collaboration with various departments, fostering an environment of shared responsibility and mutual support.

• Open Communication: Expect a culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent communication regarding product strategy and execution.

• Agile & Responsive: The ability to adapt to market changes and consumer feedback quickly, making adjustments to strategy and product roadmaps as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely blends the artisanal, quality-focused ethos of La Colombe with the structured, mission-driven approach of Chobani. This implies a workplace that values both passion for the product and a commitment to efficient, impactful business practices.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Market Saturation: Navigating a highly competitive coffee market with numerous established brands and emerging players.

• Channel Complexity: Ensuring consistent product strategy, pricing, and messaging across distinct channels (retail, café, e-commerce) with varying consumer behaviors and expectations.

• Innovation Pace: Keeping pace with evolving consumer trends and delivering innovative roasted coffee products that resonate with target audiences.

• Integration Dynamics: Effectively integrating La Colombe's product strategy within the broader Chobani organization, ensuring alignment while maintaining brand identity.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen Coffee Expertise: Gain advanced knowledge of coffee sourcing, roasting profiles, flavor development, and consumer taste preferences.

• CPG Category Mastery: Develop a comprehensive understanding of CPG market dynamics, including distribution, retail partnerships, and consumer marketing strategies.

• Strategic Leadership: Enhance skills in strategic planning, market analysis, innovation management, and cross-functional leadership.

• Industry Exposure: Potential opportunities to attend industry conferences, engage with coffee experts, and stay abreast of emerging trends in the beverage sector.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents an excellent opportunity for a product leader to make a significant impact on a beloved brand and contribute to the strategic growth of a larger, dynamic food and beverage company. Overcoming the challenges will foster significant professional growth.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a product strategy for a new roasted coffee format. What key factors would you consider?"

• "How would you approach pricing La Colombe's roasted coffee products consistently across retail, café, and e-commerce channels?"

• "Walk me through a time you successfully launched an innovative product. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?"

• "How do you stay informed about current trends and consumer preferences in the coffee and beverage industry?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to La Colombe as a brand, and how do you see your product strategy aligning with our mission and values?"

• "How do you envision the integration of La Colombe's product strategy within the larger Chobani organization?"

• "How would you describe your ideal work environment and team collaboration style?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio around key product strategy themes (e.g., Innovation, Market Analysis, Performance Improvement, Channel Strategy).

• Storytelling: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your proposed solution (strategy), the actions taken, and the measurable results. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Visuals: Incorporate relevant visuals such as market data charts, product mock-ups, packaging designs, or sales performance dashboards to support your narrative.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your most impactful work concisely, focusing on the strategic thinking and tangible outcomes.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your decision-making process, the data you used, and alternative approaches you considered.

📝 Enhancement Note: Prepare to discuss how you would leverage data to drive product decisions, manage a product portfolio, and collaborate effectively across departments. Demonstrating a deep understanding of the coffee market and CPG dynamics will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director, Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Chobani careers website.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and any optional portfolio documents to highlight experience in product strategy, brand management, CPG, and specifically the beverage or coffee industry. Emphasize achievements in innovation, performance analysis, and cross-channel alignment.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 8-10 years of relevant experience, using keywords from the job description such as "product strategy," "brand management," "innovation," "performance analysis," and "cross-functional collaboration." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research La Colombe and Chobani's brand, mission, and recent activities. Prepare to discuss your approach to product strategy, innovation, and market analysis, with specific examples from your past roles. Practice answering common product strategy interview questions.

• Company Research: Understand La Colombe's position in the market, its key competitors, and its current product offerings. Familiarize yourself with Chobani's broader mission and how La Colombe fits into its strategic vision.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.