Director, Growth Explorations & Incubation Lab at SAMYANG AMERICA INC – Brea, California

About Samyang America

Samyang America stands as the #1 Gen Z brand, boldly shaping the future of food culture with innovative flavors, viral trends, and unforgettable brand experiences. We don’t just create food - we craft moments that spark excitement, inspire connection, and celebrate bold individuality.

Our mission is to bring daring, delicious products to the market that resonate deeply with the next generation of food lovers. From iconic spicy noodles to creative new launches, we are driven by passion, creativity, and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of taste and culture.

At Samyang America, you’ll join a dynamic team that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and a shared love for bold flavor experiences. We value fresh ideas, energetic spirit, and the courage to lead trends rather than follow them.

If you’re ready to be part of a brand that’s more than just food - a brand that moves culture and creates unforgettable moments - join our team today!

Position Summary: We are looking for a Director, Growth Explorations & Incubation Lab who will be responsible for leading disciplined exploration of new businesses and new product platforms through time-boxed, problem-led initiatives.

This role oversees small, senior “Founder” teams that integrate strategy, R&D intelligence, and cross-functional input to rapidly evaluate growth opportunities and drive clear pursue, test, pause, or stop decisions—improving learning speed and decision quality across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Growth Exploration Governance:

• Define and manage the growth exploration pipeline

• Select and frame high-priority growth questions aligned with portfolio strategy

• Ensure alignment with foresight inputs and strategic priorities

Founder Team Leadership

• Lead and coach small, senior “Founder” teams

• Oversee time-boxed exploration cycles (typically 6–10 weeks)

• Ensure teams remain problem-led, not idea-led

Decision Discipline

• Drive clear outcomes at the end of each exploration—Pursue, Test, Pause, or Stop.

• Prepare concise decision memos for leadership review

• Ensure learnings are documented, shared, and reused

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Strategy, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred)

• 10–15+ years of experience in strategy, innovation, new business creation, or venture-style roles

• Proven experience leading ambiguous, early-stage growth initiatives

• Strong ability to structure problems and drive decisions under uncertainty

• Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, marketing, and commercial teams

• Strong executive communication and influence skills

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in food & beverage, consumer goods, or adjacent industries

• Background in foresight, futures, or advanced consumer insight teams

• Experience working across global or multi-regional environments

• Exposure to sustainability, regulatory, or emerging technology domains

• Experience standing up new intelligence or foresight capabilities

The base salary for this position is between $130,000.00 and $165,000.00 per year. Actual compensation will depend on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience, and location. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation and benefits, including an annual incentive bonus, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, PTO/FTO, and a 401(k) plan with company match.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer:

Samyang America is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.