Does the Innovation & R&D Agent agent replace hiring a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation?

No. It covers the recurring reporting, tracking and coordination of the role so the work does not stop while the seat is open, then works alongside the person you hire. 3 areas stay with your team, including bench formulation and sensory validation and regulatory and food-safety sign-off.

How long until the Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation agent is live?

About 14 days from access to first output. Most of that is connecting the data sources it reads — Tastewise flavor, ingredient & trend intelligence, Global product-launch & claims databases, Menu & foodservice innovation signals — and matching the formats your team already works from.

What can't the Innovation & R&D Agent agent do?

Do any bench, formulation, or sensory work — that's hands-on lab science a person performs. Sign off on food-safety, regulatory, or nutritional compliance. Own the cross-functional relationships that get a product funded and launched. These are the reasons the role still gets filled.

What data does it use?

It reads Tastewise flavor, ingredient & trend intelligence, Global product-launch & claims databases, Menu & foodservice innovation signals, Your portfolio & sales data, Patent / regulatory references. Access is read-only — the agent does not write to source systems or hold approval authority.

What happens when we hire a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation?

The agent hands over a running system — live reporting, current trackers and full history — and stays on as leverage for the new hire rather than being switched off.

Which role is this agent based on?

Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation at Mars, Nashville, TN — a live posting on the Gerento job board. The agent specification is generated from that job description, so the responsibilities it covers are the ones the role actually lists.

Gerento agent · Innovation & R&D Agentdemo

Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation AI Agent for Mars

Keeps the Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation role moving from day one — and hands a running start to whoever you hire.

An Innovation & R&D Agent for the Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation role at Mars: it mines live demand signal to generate, screen, and prioritize product concepts — keeping the pipeline full of ideas consumers will actually buy.

Live in 14 daysCovers the work 24/7Hands off to your hireYou keep every judgment call

85% fit confidence

Innovation & R&D Agent is a Gerento AI agent specified against Mars's open Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation role. It goes live in 14 days, works 24/7, and covers 6 of the role's responsibilities — roughly 4.2× the hours of a single 40-hour hire, at about a fifth of what the seat costs. 3 areas stay human, including judgment, relationships and final decisions.

Time to live: 14 days
Coverage: 4.2×
Responsibilities covered: 6
Stays human: 3

Updated 22 July 2026

Filling the gap until you hire — not replacing the person

Open today
The Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation seat is empty
The work is piling up and the role isn't filled yet.
Live in 14d → through ~4 months of hiring
The agent covers the work, 24/7
It keeps the role moving from day one while you recruit.
Your hire starts
The agent hands off and augments
Your new hire inherits a running start and keeps the agent as leverage.

Coverage from day one — so the work doesn't pile up while you hire. At a fraction of the role's cost.

Always-on coverage for a fraction of what an open senior seat costs you — live in 14 days, working 24/7 while you hire.

Runs at roughly a fifth (~20%) of what the role costs you.

Coverage

4.2×

Always-on vs a single 40-hour hire.

Ramp

14 days

Live and working, not months of onboarding.

Consistency

100%

Same rigor on every task, fully auditable.

Human-in-loop

Judgment calls that stay with your team.

What the agent covers

The role's responsibilities, mapped straight from the job description → how the agent does each.

Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation responsibilities and how the Gerento agent covers each
Responsibility in the role	How the agent covers it
Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation to join our rapidly growing company.	Generates and pressure-tests product concepts against live demand signals, ranking the pipeline by predicted consumer pull and whitespace fit.
Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years.	Turns live demand signal into screened, ranked product concepts with the evidence behind each one.
Drive an innovative mindset across all packaging functions, while working with key internal business partners in marketing, and operations to ensure innovative concepts are delivered to market.	Generates and pressure-tests product concepts against live demand signals, ranking the pipeline by predicted consumer pull and whitespace fit.
Support the development and delivery of the packaging innovation pipeline	Generates and pressure-tests product concepts against live demand signals, ranking the pipeline by predicted consumer pull and whitespace fit.
Develop packaging risk assessments and lead identification of risks/hazards for each packaging type	Continuously scans Tastewise's consumer, social, and menu data to surface emerging trends and whitespace in real time — flagging the opportunity the moment it moves, not a quarter later.
Manage and execute compliance testing, regulations and documentation for all packaging projects	Turns live demand signal into screened, ranked product concepts with the evidence behind each one.

What the agent can't do — you still need a person for this

We're filling the gap until you hire, not replacing the role. Here's where a human is essential.

Do any bench, formulation, or sensory work — that's hands-on lab science a person performs.
Sign off on food-safety, regulatory, or nutritional compliance.
Own the cross-functional relationships that get a product funded and launched.

Job Description

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food maker with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. Founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion – with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands – is a key player in the global premium pet food industry across three major geographic regions.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here's The Scoop – Summary

The Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation is responsible for the technical leadership of the packaging innovation program at Champion Petfoods. This role reports to the Global Director, Technical Innovation and Development and works cross-functionally with Research & Innovation (R&I), Marketing and Operations to ensure all packaging objectives are achieved.

As the departmental subject matter expert for packaging innovation and capability, the Senior Manager Packaging Innovation provides technical leadership, guidance, and expertise across product development and operational teams. The Senior Manager Packaging Innovation plays a key role in the investigation and advancement of packaging initiatives by bringing insights and trends into packaging strategy including relevant consumer trends, materials and technologies.

Success in this role is measured by meeting or exceeding packaging performance targets, delivering projects on established timelines, and generating actionable learnings that support scale-up and commercialization of products.

This position provides both oversight and hands-on technical leadership across multiple aspects of packaging innovation, including operational improvements, process optimization, and new packaging evaluation. The Senior Manager Packaging Innovation can be based out of the Acheson, Alberta or Nashville, Tennessee and works closely with internal teams and third-party packaging suppliers.

What a typical day looks like

Drive an innovative mindset across all packaging functions, while working with key internal business partners in marketing, and operations to ensure innovative concepts are delivered to market.
Support the development and delivery of the packaging innovation pipeline
Help to build and maintain external relationships to support and deliver packaging innovations with 3rd party packaging suppliers, external co-manufacturers and other packaging organizations as needed.
Develop packaging risk assessments and lead identification of risks/hazards for each packaging type
Responsible for packaging specification development and execution across Champion’s product portfolio
Manage and execute compliance testing, regulations and documentation for all packaging projects
Aid Supply Team in packaging supplier validation and quality management
Standardize and integrate critical packaging process, including but not limited to sequence for development, technical packaging approval process and implementation.
Data entry as required.
Accurate & efficient planning and management of resources to meet schedules and coordinate departmental functions in the absence of the Managers.
Demonstration of knowledge of the Company’s policies and practices regarding health, safety, and the environment, including commitment to personal compliance with same.
Perform other tasks as required or assigned.
Occasional travel required.

What are we looking for?

Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in related field (Packaging, Engineering, Chemistry, etc.). Advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 8 years’ experience working on packaging projects, materials, and manufacturing.
Knowledge of food packaging fundamentals and application to the product development and food processing.
Technical leadership and strong Project Management, proven for complex initiatives and
Ability to understand the business strategy and work within sometimes ambiguous
Experience in interacting with other individuals always demonstrating diplomacy and professionalism.
Proven ability to drive large scale & complex initiatives, complex packaging programs from
concept through qualification and to influence without authority.
Ability to work effectively in cross functional teams and with external suppliers
Ability to lift 25kg/50lb.
Detail-oriented, with a good ability to review documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance to SOPs and GMP.
Uses discretion and judgment in handling confidential, proprietary, or sensitive information.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
Computer proficiency with MS Office programs.
PPE may be required for some locations where this position is regularly required to work.
Some extended hours and travel may be required.
Established industry relationships and strong knowledge in the areas of material science

What can you expect from Champion?

Safety: a strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
Earnings: Competitive Wages that give financial peace of mind, RRSP with Company, and donation matching.
Industry Competitive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision and Employee Assistance Programs to meet your individual or family needs.
Continuing Education: In House & Online Learning & Development, as well as an Education Assistance Program.
Quality: a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
Other Perks: Free Bag of Premium Pet Food each month, Free Parking and more!

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for…

Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation AI agent — frequently asked questions

Does the Innovation & R&D Agent agent replace hiring a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation?: No. It covers the recurring reporting, tracking and coordination of the role so the work does not stop while the seat is open, then works alongside the person you hire. 3 areas stay with your team, including bench formulation and sensory validation and regulatory and food-safety sign-off.
How long until the Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation agent is live?: About 14 days from access to first output. Most of that is connecting the data sources it reads — Tastewise flavor, ingredient & trend intelligence, Global product-launch & claims databases, Menu & foodservice innovation signals — and matching the formats your team already works from.
What can't the Innovation & R&D Agent agent do?: Do any bench, formulation, or sensory work — that's hands-on lab science a person performs. Sign off on food-safety, regulatory, or nutritional compliance. Own the cross-functional relationships that get a product funded and launched. These are the reasons the role still gets filled.
What data does it use?: It reads Tastewise flavor, ingredient & trend intelligence, Global product-launch & claims databases, Menu & foodservice innovation signals, Your portfolio & sales data, Patent / regulatory references. Access is read-only — the agent does not write to source systems or hold approval authority.
What happens when we hire a Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation?: The agent hands over a running system — live reporting, current trackers and full history — and stays on as leverage for the new hire rather than being switched off.
Which role is this agent based on?: Senior Manager, Packaging Innovation at Mars, Nashville, TN — a live posting on the Gerento job board. The agent specification is generated from that job description, so the responsibilities it covers are the ones the role actually lists.

Want Innovation & R&D Agent built for your team?

We'll tailor it to Mars's data, brands, and workflows — and show you a working version.

Illustrative concept generated from a public job posting. The agent covers the role's data, research, and reporting work from day one — filling the gap while you hire and then working alongside the person you bring in. It is not a replacement: people keep judgment, relationships, final decisions, and everything in “what it can't do.” Cost comparisons are illustrative estimates.

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