Job Summary

 The Innovation Lead is responsible for driving the end‑to‑end Innovation Pipeline, from idea generation through development, validation, and market readiness. This role partners closely with the Brand Team and Research & Development (R&D) to translate consumer insights and business strategy into compelling, commercially viable product innovations.

The Innovation Lead ensures disciplined project management, strong cross‑functional collaboration, and a consumer‑centric approach throughout the innovation lifecycle.

Principal duties and Responsibilities

• Own and provide oversight for the full Innovation Pipeline across all stages (idea generation, concept development, feasibility, product development, validation, and pre‑launch).

• Ensure projects are prioritised based on strategic fit, portfolio needs, manufacturing feasibility, and commercial potential.

• Drive innovation projects through internal stage‑gate or governance processes.

• Monitor timelines, milestones, risks, and dependencies to ensure timely delivery.

Partner with the Brand Team to:

• Develop clear and compelling product and innovation briefs.

• Ensure product concepts align with brand strategy, positioning, and portfolio architecture.

• Support packaging design development.

• Act as the bridge between brand ambition and operational execution.

Work closely with R&D to:

• Translate product briefs into technically feasible formulations and prototypes.

• Coordinate the creation, iteration, and approval of product samples.

• Plan and execute sensory testing (internal panels, consumer testing, or external agencies).

• Collaborate with Operations and Quality teams to ensure innovation projects meet food safety, quality, compliance, and shelf‑life requirements.

• Evaluate sensory and technical results and drive informed go / no‑go and refinement decisions.

• Work with Finance for Value Chain and Costings approvals for all projects.

• Collaborate with Purchasing team to understand raw material & packaging timelines for ongoing projects.

• Identify risks early and proactively propose mitigation plans to keep projects on track.

• Maintain accurate documentation including concept decks, product briefs, sensory reports, and project status updates.

• Prepare and present innovation updates, recommendations, and learnings to Marketing and leadership teams.

• Ensure innovation best practices and structured processes are embedded and followed.

• Comply and promote the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Food Safety and other company policies established by the Company.

Key deliverables

• Development of a robust and strategically aligned innovation funnel. Monitoring number of active innovation projects by stage. Identification and proactive management of stalled or low-value projects. Alignment of pipeline with brand and category growth priorities.

• Deliver innovation projects efficiently with thoroughness, accuracy & diligence. Effective management of risks, delays & trade-offs and timely decision making.

• Ensuring successful progression of innovations with discipline & evidence-based decisions. Quantifying % of projects successfully progressing, learnings captured and shared from stopped or deprioritized projects.

• Effective Cross-Functional Collaboration. Foster strong, productive partnerships across the FMCG Value Chain and the ability to influence outcomes without direct authority.

• Understanding the consumer & commercial impact (post-launch) of projects. Ensuring launch readiness and tracking early performance vs. forecast, lessons learnt, what should be taken into consideration for future projects.

General Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Innovation, Product Development or related discipline.

• At least four (4) years’ experience in Marketing field preferably with product development or innovation within FMCG.

• Experience working in or with manufacturing and R&D teams would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of FMCG product development and innovation frameworks

• Familiarity with sensory testing methodologies and product validation

• Experience in Project Management and project execution

• Ability to evaluate innovation opportunities through a commercial and business-focused lens

• Strong presentation and stakeholder communication skills

• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced ambiguous environment

• Effective problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail

• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound professional judgment and discretion in the execution of duties.

• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to forecast and identify trends and challenges

• Effective collaboration with cross-functional resources.