Summary :
To identify, design, and deliver innovation strategies that unlock future growth for the business. The Senior Innovation Manager leverages consumer, shopper, and market insights to shape the innovation pipeline, working cross-functionally to translate unmet needs and category opportunities into breakthrough products, services, and business models that strengthen brand relevance and drive long-term competitiveness.
Knowledge, abilities and skills required :
1. Innovation Strategy & Pipeline
- Define and manage the long-term innovation strategy in line with brand, category, and business priorities.
- Build a robust pipeline of short-, mid-, and long-term innovation projects to fuel sustainable growth.
- Identify white spaces, future growth platforms, and disruption opportunities beyond current product lines.
2. Consumer-Centric Growth
Translate consumer, shopper, and cultural insights into innovation opportunities.Ensure all innovation is rooted in real human needs and market trends.Anticipate future behaviors, lifestyles, and sustainability demands to future-proof the portfolio.3. Portfolio & Category Development
Shape innovation platforms that expand the brand’s reach into new segments, channels, or categories.Balance incremental innovation (line extensions, reformulations) with breakthrough, transformational ideas.Partner with category and commercial teams to ensure innovations contribute to long-term category leadership.4. Cross-Functional Leadership
Lead collaboration with R&D, Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Marketing to bring innovations from concept to market.Own the stage-gate / innovation funnel process, ensuring rigor, speed, and scalability.Act as the connector between creativity (ideas) and execution (feasibility, profitability, and speed-to-market).5. Commercial Impact
Build business cases for innovations, aligning with P&L, pricing, and channel strategies.Partner with Finance and Sales to size opportunities and ensure strong launch ROI.Drive post-launch evaluation and learning to continuously improve the innovation process.6. External & Future Focus
Monitor competitor and category innovation activity, technology trends, and startup ecosystems.Build partnerships with external agencies, startups, suppliers, and research partners to access new ideas and capabilities.Champion sustainability, digital, and future-forward consumer trends within the innovation agenda.Key Skills & Competencies
Strategic vision : ability to link long-term brand and business growth to innovation platforms.Consumer-centric mindset : passion for uncovering insights and translating them into opportunities.Creativity & curiosity : ability to challenge norms, think disruptively, and explore new business models.Commercial acumen : strong P&L, financial, and business case development skills.Influence & leadership : skilled at leading cross-functional and global / local teams in a matrix organization.Agility & execution : able to balance big-picture thinking with hands-on project deliverEducation : Bachelor´s Degree
Experience : 7-10 years in similar role.
