Innovation on a Deadline: Launching Plant-Based Products at Pace

What happens when a legacy food company known for acquisitions decides to build innovation from the inside out—with a tight deadline, high internal pressure, and zero margin for error?

This case study reveals the bold journey of launching a brand-new vegetarian product line in time for Veganuary, one of the most competitive and high-stakes moments in the retail calendar. With just a few months to develop, test, and secure supermarket shelf space for four new SKUs, the team faced urgent time constraints, cultural resistance, and operational friction.

• How cross-functional collaboration and Agile principles helped them beat the clock by uniting R&D, marketing, procurement, and insights into a fully dedicated team aligned around a single, ambitious goal.
• How they overcame legacy failures and opinion-driven decision-making by shifting to data-backed decisions and fostering trust through early stakeholder involvement.
• Why shifting from external to internal product testing sped up feedback without sacrificing quality thanks to faster, bias-aware employee testing protocols supported by legal and procurement teams.
• What it took to engage senior leaders in a new way of working—and make it stick through leadership coaching and sprint reviews that turned decision-makers into strategic enablers.

Packed with actionable lessons on innovation, speed, and cultural transformation, this case study is a must-read for anyone in CPG, product development, or organizational change.

Download the full case study now to learn how strategy met execution—and delivered results.