Associate, Product Innovation

ABOUT US

HirexHire (pronounced hire by hire) is a Chicago-based recruiting and talent consultancy that integrates with companies short-term to provide long-term talent solutions. We take a seat in our client’s everyday operations to understand their people goals, gaps, and challenges. We then develop and implement the processes and technologies to execute a sustainable and scalable talent plan.

We partner with companies expecting or experiencing high growth which need to hire at scale or fill a critical role rapidly. Our clients are not looking for quick-fix placements but are thoughtfully building a hiring strategy to scale their businesses.

OUR CLIENT 

Location: Chicago, IL

Industry: Consumer Staple Products, Cannabis

Company Size: 4,000 Employees

What They Do: Our client in the cannabis industry currently operates in a quarter of the country with double-digit retail locations and a triple-digit growth rate making them one of the fastest-growing companies in North America. As they avidly tackle nationwide development with cultivation facilities, dispensaries, and their headquarters in Chicago – the demand to fill their teams is at an all-time high.

THE ROLE

Our client is seeking an Associate, Product Innovation to support the development and expansion of edible products across multiple markets. This role will partner cross-functionally with Brand, Marketing, Operations, Quality, and Production teams to help execute product launches, manage timelines, and ensure successful market rollouts. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple projects in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Support new product launches across the edibles category, partnering closely with Product Innovation leadership.

• Lead market expansion projects from planning through launch execution and post-launch tracking.

• Manage launch timelines, project documentation, risk assessments, and reporting metrics.

• Drive packaging artwork development and coordinate approvals across internal stakeholders.

• Manage packaging workflows through internal quality control and compliance systems.

• Partner with Brand and Regional Marketing teams to align on deliverables and launch schedules.

• Collaborate directly with production facilities to ensure operational readiness ahead of launches.

• Support the development of market-specific formulations and packaging to meet regulatory requirements.

• Maintain knowledge of state-specific regulations impacting formulations, packaging, and product launches.

WHAT YOU WILL LIKELY NEED

• 1 years of experience in product innovation, product management, project management, or a related field.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to execute projects accurately and efficiently.

• Experience collaborating across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to navigate ambiguity and adapt to shifting business priorities.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Knowledge of product development processes and project management methodologies.

• Cannabis industry knowledge and product acumen preferred.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools such as MS Project or similar platforms.

• PMP certification or formal project management training is a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass any required background checks.

• Must comply with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be at least 21 years of age.

• Must be approved by state badging agency to work in the cannabis industry.

• This is a hybrid role based in Chicago, requiring 2 days onsite per week with occasional travel to production facilities.